Archive for June, 2009

GamersGate to Distribute Key Titles from Iceberg Interactive

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

GamersGate, a leading platform for digitally distributed PC and Mac games, today announced that it is partnering with Iceberg Interactive to distribute select titles worldwide. Poker Simulator is now available on GamersGate, and additional titles including The Last Chariot of the Godsand Bee Smart will be available in the coming months.

“GamersGate’s growing audience and expanding library of critically acclaimed and independent titles is the perfect destination for our games,” said Erik Schreuder, CEO and Founder of Iceberg Interactive. “We strive to produce the best possible gaming experience, and strongly believe that how and where gamers buy their games is a big part of that experience.”

Poker Simulator, available for both PC and Mac, will be released on GamersGate’s Mac section, which launched on June 10. Bee Smart is a brain training game for kids, developed for the PC and consoles. The game will improve certain brain activities, such as speed, perception, creativity and memory, making it a great choice for responsible parents who want their children to learn while they play. The Last Chariot of the Gods, a point and click adventure game for the PC, was developed by the Austrian studio Homegrown Games. The Last Chariot of the Godssubmerges players in a world of ancient legends and modern day conspiracy to answer the ultimate question – are we alone in the universe? All games will be available for download athttp://www.GamersGate.com.

“Iceberg Interactive shares our mission of supporting independent developers by helping them to leverage their creativity and drive new revenue based on the quality of their games,” stated Theodore Bergquist CEO of GamersGate. “Our shared vision is key to achieving our goals and bringing innovation to the gaming industry.”

For more information, or to purchase Iceberg Interactive titles, please visit www.gamersgate.com and follow @GamersGate on twitter.

Gatheryn Hosts In-Game Ice Cream Social For Active Beta Users

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

This afternoon at 3pm PDT, active Gatheryn beta testers will have the opportunity to participate in Gatheryn’s first community event, The Elymia Ice Cream Social. The Ice Cream social is open only to active beta testers, but more events will be scheduled, and more users welcomed into the beta in the weeks to come. Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement of Gatheryn community events – register for the beta at http://www.mindfusegames.com.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other Elymians and exercise Gatheryn’s social functionality by comparing clothing ensembles, adding others to their Friends List, or playing a game of checkers. Members of the Mindfuse staff will also be in attendance to answer questions about Elymian life and listen to feedback from users on what they like in the game, and what they’d like to see changed.

Ice cream will be distributed to all attendees as an in-game item 3 times during the event – at 3:00, 3:30 and 4:00. Using ice cream is a good way to test out Gatheryn’s newly implemented health system as a single serving completely cures all fatigue. No RSVP is required for active users. The event will take place in Westpark, just outside the Broken Anchor Pub, in the Western portion of the city.

For more information about Gatheryn, or to register for the beta, visit: www.mindfusegames.com

Intertainment’s itiBiti To Offer Users Wicked Social Gaming

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online Platform with Revenue Opportunities Now Available at Subagames.com

Intertainment Media Inc. has entered into a partnership agreement with Wicked Interactive Ltd. (“Wicked”) to offer users of itiBiti, the private label social media platform, the Suba Games roster of Free-to-play Massively Multiplayer Online (“MMO’s”) games available at www.subagames.com. Through the partnership, itiBiti’s major branded platforms will generate traffic and new users to Wicked Interactive’s slate of online games, where players make in-game purchases, resulting in shared revenues for both companies.

Called “the next generation of integrated social media applications” by Microsoft Corp., itiBiti provides major brand partners with a full feature, revenue generating, turn-key platform integrating consumers and fans, or “clusters”, into a robust and engaging desktop-based private label social media enterprise.

“itiBiti is offering brands and users a number of unique offerings that enhance the overall social media experience. Wicked’s Suba Games platform gives users value and exciting game play and an ongoing revenue stream for itiBiti,” said Mr. David Lucatch, president of Itibiti Systems and CEO of Intertainment.

According to a report from DFC Intelligence the Top 10 Money-Making MMO’s of 2008 generated over $1.4 Billion in revenues. DFC’s research also suggests that the worldwide online game market is forecasted to grow from $3.4 billion in 2005 to over $13 billion in 2011. Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMO’s) allow thousands of users to interact with one another in a virtual world, by assuming ongoing roles or characters with diverse features. This style of game allows for thousands of players to socially interact with one another as they grow and develop their own unique online identity providing a virtual fictional experience that millions of people worldwide enjoy.

Through the internet, video games have evolved into a social and community-based experience and Wicked Interactive’s business model and its Suba Games Lineup exemplify this emerging trend. The Suba Games portal provides online users with Free-to-download and Free-to-play MMO games and features titles including fantasy MMORPG’s Priston Tale and Metin2, military shooter, Cross Fire, and futuristic 3D Space Shooter, ACE Online. Though all players can play for free indefinitely if they choose, they also have the option of making micro-transaction purchases within the games. These transactions can enhance their gameplay experience, which in turn result in revenues for Wicked and ItiBiti.

“With our highly active community of users, this new partnership will provide Wicked greater reach to extend our unique Suba Games experience to a wider audience,” said Mr. Garvin Yeung, CEO of Wicked.

itiBiti and Wicked will make the Suba Games portal available to all itiBiti clients.

Penguin hits the ground running with Essential Travel Kit for Nintendo DSi

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

10 in 1 Travel Kit Packs Only Accessories Gamers Actually Need as They Travel the World

Most video game travel kits are filled with a bunch of knick-knacks that most gamers neither want nor use. Penguin United has eliminated the junky frills and launched a travel kit for Nintendo DSi that is equipped with only essential road trip accessories.

Gamers just want to play their favorite games while they travel and Penguin’s Essential Travel Kit contains only what they need. Included in the kit:

· Sound: High Quality Stereo Ear Buds

· Storage: Quality, Sturdy Game Cartridge Pouch Stores up to 24 Game Cartridges

· Carry: Easy to Carry Travel Pouch Holds DS Game Cartridges, AC Adaptors, Extra Stylus’, Car Charger, and Much More

· Protection: Set of 2X Adhesive Protection Lenses, a Squeegee for Air Bubbles and a Cleaning Cloth

· Travel: Car Charger to Keep the DSi Charged on the Road

· Cover: Premium Quality Protective Cover Protects your DSi against daily Wear and Tear

· Replacement: 3X Replacement Stylus’

· Pricing: SRP $24.99

“The Essential Travel Kit is all you need to hit the road with your DSi,” stated Richard Huang, President of Penguin United. “We’ve eliminated all the extra junk that often come inside travel kits and boiled it down to its essence, or essentials I should say.”

Dawn of Discovery PC demo available now.

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Today Ubisoft announced that an official Dawn of Discovery demo is available for Windows-based PCs. The demo can be downloaded at: http://www.dawnofdiscoverygame.com.

In this demo, players will discover a stunningly rich universe and will be able to build their own gigantic metropolises while exploring the Orient.

The Dawn of Discovery demo features:

- The two first missions of the campaign

- A 60 minutes continuous game including most of the technologies, buildings and units of the full game

About Dawn of Discovery

Dawn of Discovery takes place in the year 1404, when King George’s land is suffering from severe droughts and brutal famine. Aware of his people’s distress, the king calls on his two sons, William and Edward, to acquire new territories in order to produce enough goods to satisfy the needs of his empire’s inhabitants. Whereas Edward suggests aggressive means to collect the precious resources, his brother William offers a peaceful solution, proposing to explore new and unsettled lands in the south of the kingdom. With his Father’s blessing, William heads south to the mysterious Orient and returns with valuable new technologies such as the water pump that allows dry lands to be cultivated in order to produce enough food for the people. But there are still many unmet needs within the king’s empire, and players are tasked with the mission of fulfilling those needs while both expanding and sustaining the vast society.

Dawn of Discovery will be available on June 25th 2009 for the PC, Wii and DS.

Call of Juarez Bound in Blood Goes Gold!

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Today Ubisoft announces that Call of Juarez Bound in Blood for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC has gone gold.

About Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is the prequel to the Wild West action shooter Call of Juarez. As the McCall brothers, players enter a doomed quest for the legendary Gold of Juarez leading them from a ravaged Georgia during the Civil War to the Aztec ruins of Mexico. They make their lawless trail into the wildest West ever depicted, using their gunslinging skills and killing all of those that stand before them. But when the brothers face lust, their bond of blood feels thinner than ever

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood will be available end of June 2009 for X360, PS3 and PC!!

Pangea Software Releases Enigmo 3.0 Update with In-App Level Purchases for iPhone™ OS 3.0

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Pangea Software, is proud to announce that Enigmo 3.0, a free update for its award-winning physics based puzzle game, is available now for the Apple® iPhone™ and iPod® touch.

Enigmo 3.0 has been updated to take advantage of the new in-app purchasing capabilities of the iPhone OS 3.0. When users run Enigmo 3.0 on iPhone OS 3.0 they have the ability to purchase additional Level Packs which are created by Pangea Software. There are currently two new Level Packs available: Kid’s Pack #1 and Kid’s Pack #2. The new levels in each of these Level Packs have been designed specifically for kids.

“I get a lot of emails from people who say that their kids love to play Enigmo, but some of the levels are too difficult for the younger ones,” said Brian Greenstone, president of Pangea Software. “So, for our first Level Packs we designed 50 new levels which are much easier than the ones that come with Enigmo, but they still present a challenge – perfect for kids!”

Level Packs are available for $.99, and Pangea Software will be releasing more downloadable content in the coming months.

Enigmo is the ultimate 3D puzzle game for the iPhone and iPod touch! To complete each level the player will need to manipulate various streams of flowing liquid so that the droplets can reach their destination. Liquids (water, oil, and lava) fall from droppers, and will bounce off walls in a visually stunning cascade. By moving various types of bumpers, sliders, accelerators, and sponges, the player diverts the flow of the falling droplets. The faster players complete each level the more bonus points they receive.

For more information about Pangea Software or its products, please visit: www.pangeasoft.net.

Current owners of Enigmo can download the 3.0 update for the iPhone and iPod touch gaming platforms by visiting: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=281736535&mt=8.

Smule and Apple are announcing the availability of the critically acclaimed Leaf Trombone: World Stage exclusively for iPhone OS 3.0.

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

• That’s right: 3.0 required

• New Duet Mode features iPhone OS 3.0 Gamekit peer-to-peer Bluetooth
• “Achievement Alerts” via iPhone OS 3.0 new push service

“iPhone OS 3.0 fundamentally changes the mobile social experience,” said Dr. Ge Wang, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Smule, and Assistant Professor at Stanford’s Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA). “With OS 3.0, mobile applications are not limited to passive, isolated experiences, but instead may achieve a new level of social engagement.”

To celebrate the arrival of OS 3.0 and the new Leaf Trombone, Smule is hosting a contest: “Feel The Love”.

Contest Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoNUh5K-Uic&fmt=22

Every other week for the next eight weeks, Smule will be awarding $500 in cash to the user with the most love:

1. Signup on http://leaftrombone.smule.com/;

2. Perform a song on “Leaf Trombone: World Stage”, and note of the “Session ID” once your performance is judged;

3. Get loved from any users viewing your performance

Encourage your biggest fans to download the free version of Leaf Trombone at:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=314456356&mt=8”>Leaf

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=309080428&mt=8”>full

Enter the Session ID in the Observe menu on the World Stage, and then heart your performance.

Interesting leaf trombone stats since launching the product six weeks ago:

•Leaf Trombone users have judged in approximately 850,000 sessions online

• Using the online composer, Leaf Trombone users have contributed more than 4,250 songs to the user community

• The top jurist, Gabe, hales from the upper east side of New York City, and has judged 1,945 sessions thus far

• The top performer, Daniel, hales from an Indianapolis suburb, and has performed 490 times on the world stage; on the negative side, Daniel has “chicken exited” 115 times

• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star remains the most popular song among leaf trombonists, and has been performed 19,803 times

Konami releases new content and the famed “Shadow Moses” map for Metal Gear Online

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Konami unveiled today, a new map, character and reward mode, all now available for METAL GEAR ONLINE, the ultimate squad-based, tactical-espionage action title based on the popular METAL GEAR SOLID franchise. The latest content will be available to players who have purchased the SCENE Expansion Pack.

Best suited for medium-to long-range combat, the new map — Icebound Inferno – will be recognized by fans of the franchise as the famed “Shadow Moses” map from the first METAL GEAR SOLID game. The map features an Arctic Island that consists of a large snowfield with buildings of varying heights.

In addition, the download allows players to use Old Snake as a unique character and the Octo-cam suit as a weapon. In a twist, Old Snake will not become completely invisible when using the suit, but will automatically blend with the environment. The latest download will also include an Auto Matching Reward mode in which the winner of the match wins more reward points than normal. When playing an individual match in this mode, only the winner receives the reward points while in a team match, the team member ranked first will win the reward points.

Metal Gear Online is the online multi-player experience that is included free in the retail version of METAL GEAR SOLID 4 GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS, developed exclusively for the PS3 computer entertainment system. Three expansion packs – GENE, MEME and SCENE – are currently available for purchase via METAL GEAR ONLINE’s in-game shop and Konami’s shop (https://mykonami.net/mgo/). In addition to traditional methods of payment for purchase, the PlayStation® Network Wallet prepay system which is now available as a form of payment.

I-Play Brings Jewel Quest Deluxe to iPhone, iPod Touch and Mobile Platforms

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

Based On the Best-Selling Adventure Match 3 for PC, iPhone Version Now Available at the Apple App Store

Pack your bags and grab your canteen, because the brand-new Jewel Quest Deluxe for iPhone, iPod touch and mobile is now available for download. The newest installment of the top-selling Jewel Quest franchise-which has generated over 7 million downloads-Jewel Quest Deluxe is the most advanced Match 3 game to date. The game features a host of new modes including Multiplayer Pass & Play and Battle Mode – which brings players into a heated head-to-head competition to uncover jewels and solve mysterious puzzles. Boasting an all-new storyline that takes players to the farthest reaches of India, Jewel Quest Deluxe delivers a wild adventure filled with unpredictable twists and turns.

In Jewel Quest Deluxe for iPhone, iPod touch and mobile, players battle against eight clever opponents and clear the jewel board through 36 stunning levels. As they progress through the story, they will face challenging adventures in a city by the Ganges, the Indian jungles and Indian desert. Providing the most seasoned Match 3 player with mind-bending challenges, even Quest masters will need to be at the top of their game to unlock power-ups and hidden hammer powers during battle. Those looking for an even greater challenge will enjoy the brand-new multi-player Pass & Play Mode, where players face off with friends to clear the jewel board. Additionally, players can opt for rapid jewel matching challenges in Quick Play Mode to sharpen puzzle skills in a snap.

The follow-up to Jewel Quest 2, which was one of the top Apps of 2008, Jewel Quest Deluxe for iPhone contains many additional exclusive features including stunning 3D animations, graphics and visual effects perfectly tailored for flawless touch-screen controls. Enhancing the experience even more are an exotic, Indian-themed soundtrack, and the ability to challenge friends and foes with WiFi multiplayer capabilities. Players wishing to flaunt their extraordinary scores can share online using Facebook Connect to bring buddies into battle.

Jewel Quest Deluxe is now available at the Apple App Store for $2.99.