It’s still over 3 hours away here on the West Coast, but 2010 is all over the GNB house, and we’re getting ready to do some more celebrating, just a quick post to say Happy New Year to all you out there! Here’s to a great gaming 2010! Looking forward to the new games, and new experiences coming from both Microsoft and Sony, and who knows, Nintendo might have something up their sleeves too eh?
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All Double EXP Potions Are 50% Off Now Through Monday January 4th
IRVINE, Calif., December 31, 2009 – True Games, an international
publisher of multi-player online games today announced that it is
celebrating the New Year’s Holiday with a sale on all of the Double
EXP Potions in its popular MMORPG, Warrior Epic (www.warriorepic.com).
From now through January 4th all Double Experience Potions in Warrior
Epic will be offered for 50% off their original price. Warrior Epic
recently launched its first major expansion with Warrior Epic:
Battlegrounds which offers a multitude of all-new content including
brand new PVP gameplay, an all-new HUB City, a New Region (Trogken
Swamps), dozens of new items and much more.
.ALL NEW PVP GAMEPLAY-Warrior Epic now offers four all-new
objective-based PVP enabled maps for players to battle- Welkin Warrens
(a mountainous underground), Ruins of Aberas (a fierce jungle),
Faustus Estate (the mysterious mansion) and the newest addition:
Trogken Swamps.
.NEW HUB CITY GIVES THE COMMUNITY A PLACE TO SOCIALIZE-Warrior Epic now
offers a true central HUB for players to meet and form groups and
guilds, while also showing off their dance skills and cool gear earned
from quests.
.ALL-NEW SWAMP REGION-The grand region known as the Trogken Swamps is
an all-new environment, and like the other regions in the game will
now offer full PVP gameplay. With over 50 new quests, monsters and
items you can acquire, players can spend a great deal of time
adventuring through the deadly marshes.
.DOZENS OF NEW PVP ITEMS-During PVP matches, players can earn currency
for purchasing all new items and upgrades to reinforce their base,
summon boss monsters and spirits against the opposing team, and many
more!
Warrior Epic is an online, action role-playing game set in an original
fantasy universe. In the game, players will assume command of a
Warrior Hall from which they manage their characters’ adventures. They
can recruit from a wide array of Warrior Classes, each with its own
style of play. The Classes and the Hall itself can be upgraded
visually as well as functionally. Players adventure together in
multiplayer campaigns, adventure mode, solo quests and PVP.
One of the most unique aspects of Warrior Epic is that death does not
mean the end of a warrior. Instead, it opens totally new and strategic
options for players. The game’s unique Warrior Spirits System enables
fallen warriors to not only be revived at any time at their hall, but
also to be transformed into Spirits that can be bound to weapons to
increase and open weapon abilities and skills, or they can be called
out to inflict massive damage depending on player needs.
For more information and to join the Warrior Epic community, visit
www.warriorepic.com. To follow all the latest news, please visit
www.twitter.com/warrioreipc ,
http://www.facebook.com/warriorepic?v=wall and
www.youtube.com/WarriorEpicGame.
Legendary Games Workshop Tabletop Game Blitzes Console and Handheld Players, Their Defense is Powerless
SouthPeak Games, today announced Blood Bowl for Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PSP coming in 2010. The hard-hitting fantasy football title previously available exclusively as a Windows PC downloadable game is lobbing a ‘Hail Mary’ pass straight onto retail shelves in 2010.
Just in time for the human football season’s end, SouthPeak is here to offer a less than traditional spin on classic football. With a rich heritage of table-top gaming, Blood Bowl is poised to tear your Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PSP system a new end zone. With turn-based gameplay and each play teetering on the roll of the dice, Blood Bowl will keep you on the edge of your seat from kickoff to final score. Inspired by the infamous Warhammer® series, Blood Bowl brings some of the most vicious gameplay, dirty tricks and lest we forget – secret weapons – to the field in an all new way.
“We’re thrilled to have a part in bringing a proper retail version of Blood Bowl to North American gamers on Windows PC, Xbox 360 and PSP.” said Aubrey Norris, Manager of Human-Orc Relations at SouthPeak. “It’s never easy to get all these races to agree on something – but if there’s one thing they love its good competition with a lot of bloodshed!”
Blood Bowl’s retail Windows PC and Xbox 360 packages will kick-off in January 2010 with the PSP system version taking the field in Spring of 2010. If you’ve never seen a goblin thrown into the end zone by a troll to score a touchdown, then prepare to be amazed! More details are sure to pop up as the teams get themselves in order and the pre-season action begins.
For more information, please visit www.southpeakgames.com.
Some predictable nomination, such as Dante’s Inferno and Modern Warfare 2 making the Biggest PR-Backfire award short-list, are joined by a few surprises. In the category of
Biggest Broken Promise both the lack of support for the first Left 4 Dead, and the boycott group for the game’s sequel, have been nominated.
A new award for the News or Discussion Topic Driven Furthest Into The Ground has been added to last year’s list of awards, with the death of videogame journalism, the PSPgo’s failing start and the controversy surrounding Modern Warfare 2’s “No Russian” level all being nominated.
For a full list of nominations please see the following URL; http://negativegamer.com/?p=5837
The winners will be announced on New Years Eve.
Heron: Steam Machine, is an excellent choice for players who like a frantic single- and multiplayer experience. Heron: Steam Machine for WiiWare will be available for 500 Wii Points in the Wii Shop Channel! To view the official trailer, screenshots and get a taste of the gameplay for free, visit: www.heronsteammachine.com
About Heron: Steam Machine:
Ron, the factory mechanic, has been working at the factory for Rubber Duckies for many years. On one dark morning, Ron comes to the shocking discovery that his boss is going to hand over control of the factory to his evil son! The son raises production targets as soon as he takes charge of the factory, and Ron will have to work at least twice as hard in order to be able to keep the steam machine running. Players can help Ron out by maintaining the steam machine, and prevent it from breaking down!
Multiplayer:
One of the most important aspect of Heron: Steam Machine is its multiplayer features. Instead of going up against each other, players will have to co-operate in order to keep the steam machine running. Are you and your friends able to work together as a team? Make sure to test your team spirit in the Multiplayer mode of Heron: Steam Machine.
Key features:
Tribulation Knights is a video game for the PC, the first installment is to be released in Q2 of 2010.
It was written, produced, and developed by John Nelson. It is an entirely indie effort to develop a game for gamers who may or may not be religious. The story line is based on Biblical interpretations of the book of Revelations.
What Technology is being used?
The game series is being developed using the Torque Game Engines from Garage Games.
The first installment is using TGEA, and the following installments are using the new T3D engine.
The Bullet Physics engine is being used, along with the FMOD Ex sound system which is a revolutionary audio engine.
Gameplay
The open world game can be played in both the first and third person point of view. The player must use non-lethal weapons in the course of completing missions. This makes the game much harder than typical action games. The player is tasked with obtaining food, medical supplies, salvageable materials, and enemy intelligence. In addition there are missions to rescue rebel citizens from thugs, and Enforcers. Maintaining a level of faith is necessary since the events
of these apocalyptic times can be dishearting. This requires the player to find a house of worship to bring the faith levels up after spending time engaging the enemy.
What is the story plot of the game?
The plot of the game is that in the not too distant future a variety of disasters hit at the same time throwing the planet into turmoil. Millions of people are dead in only a short time.
A deadly virus kills quickly as the economies of all countries fail in days, famine hits leaving everyone starving in weeks.
Now chaos rules as people fight to live and survive.
A single politician and his allies gain control of the world, and recruit everyone who will join them to restore order. He promises food and shelter, and protection, so many abandon their allegiance to their countries and join. They will be fed, and taken care of, but they will be required to be chipped.
This is the integration of a bio adhering technology that permanently modifies a person.
At that point they are forever tracked, monitored, and controlled.
Their Brain functions actually change along with their DNA, and it is irreversible.
These converts are no longer the people they once were.
The process will only work on willing subjects.
Those people who refuse to become a member of this new society fighting to control everything, are labeled rebels. The rebel citizens are not allowed to buy, or sell food, own a home, or receive the protection of the new police force, only known as Enforcers.
A secret group of extraordinary people who recruit the best agents send them out to help people. They are known as Knights.
These Knights must gather intelligence, retrieve supplies, and protect the innocent.
The code of the Knights forbids them from killing, but they do have a variety of technological devices to defend themselves with.
In the game they interview refugees who all have different opinions about what is happening to the world. Some believe it was the rapture that took so many people away, others believe it was a coordinated attack by a organization with the goal of world domination.
The knights move in the shadows of alley ways in the cities, they are in the country side protecting farms from plunder, and they are taking refugees to safe zones where they can be free people for as long as they can.
The life of a Knight is not long, but it will be a glorious life spent in the service of God, country, and in service to those around them.
Release Date:
A Q2 2010 release date has been announced. The exact day will be posted in the near future.
The game puts the player behind the wheel of some of the fastest concept cars, driving on closed roads in a variety of locations around the world. Featuring 12 customizable cars across 3 performance categories, 8 reversible tracks, 2 championship modes, challenging computer opponents, 2-player splitscreen mode, trophies and global (P2P) high scores.
Developed by industry veteran Juan Alberto Munoz (ex-Codemasters and ex-Pyro programmer), Concept Car Series 2010 offers high production values and a polished gameplay.
For more information, including screenshots, videos and contact details, please visit: http://www.conceptcarseries.com/
With only a few days left until the end of 2009, Nintendo is already uncorking 10 new games to help you ring in the New Year. Thanks to the ever-expanding WiiWare service, you can keep it spooky with a captivating Castlevania title, bulk up sumo-style with Eat! Fat! FIGHT! or customize crazy creatures with RABBIDS LAB. The Virtual Console service welcomes the high-flying classic PilotWings, while a new edition of the timeless pioneer adventure The Oregon Trail arrives on the Nintendo DSiWare service. No matter which of these 10 terrific titles you choose, hoist your Wii Remote™ controller or Nintendo DSi stylus and join us in a toast to a fabulous 2010. Cheers!
WiiWare
Castlevania The Adventure ReBirth
Publisher: Konami Digital Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T (Teen) – Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Another 100 years have passed since the death of Count Dracula, but his curse has emerged once again within the realms of Transylvania. Play the role of the ultimate gothic hero from the long lineage of vampire hunters, the Belmont clan, and rid the universe of Dracula’s legion of darkness and doom. Based on the classic 1989 original Castlevania: The Adventure, this WiiWare version will allow players of a new generation – and older fans – to experience one of the most popular games within the storied Castlevania timeline from a new perspective.
Eat! Fat! FIGHT!
Publisher: TECMO
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief
Price: 1,000 Wii Points
Description: Forget about being healthy. Here’s a game that celebrates eating, getting fat and fighting. Hold the Wii Remote controller horizontally and tilt it left, right, up or down to perform all kinds of lifts and throws just like in real sumo. There are also hidden moves like suplexes and scrapbusters thrown in for fun. Use all the moves you learn in tournaments around the world to reach the peak of sumo and become a yokozuna. In ONE PLAYER mode, play eating or sparring mini-games to make your wrestler stronger and change his look. You can also use your own Mii™ character’s face on your wrestler. In TWO PLAYER mode, take on another person using default wrestlers or the wrestlers that you have created. (Additional accessories are required for two-player mode and are sold separately.) Chow down, bulk up and fight on to become the strongest sumo wrestler ever.
RABBIDS LAB
Publisher: Ubisoft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Cartoon Violence
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: A raving Rabbid is stuck inside the Wii Remote controller. Come play with him. First, try interacting with him by moving the Wii Remote or pressing the buttons and seeing how much he loves it. Once you’ve gotten to know the crazy guy, it’s time to change his appearance in the Lab. Mess with his head and place seasonal accessories on him, or change his look entirely with the painting module. When you’ve made your raving Rabbid completely unique, you can take a photo and send it in a Wii™ message to show your Wii Friends (broadband Internet connection required).
The Magic Obelisk
Publisher: GAME ARTS Co., Ltd.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: The Magic Obelisk is an action-adventure game in which you become Popo, a light spirit. Your mission is to guide Lukus, a tree spirit, to each stage’s goal while moving only within the shadow. You can help him do this by shining your light near the mysterious magic obelisks, allowing you to create and connect shadows to solve tricks and gimmicks along the way. Join Lukus as he travels through a light-filled realm filled with quirky creatures and spirits, trying to find the perfect spot to become a tree. Experience meaningful encounters and partings, climb hills, cross rivers and traverse a vast desert on your way to the very edge of the world.
Virtual Console
PilotWings
Original platform: Super NES™
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Violence
Price: 800 Wii Points
Description: Join the Flight Club to take to the skies and experience a variety of aerial activities. Take off and pilot a biplane through rings along a predetermined flight path, or drift serenely in a hang glider, catching thermal currents to gain altitude. In either case, just be sure to stick the landing. Looking for more speed? Strap on the rocket belt to blast your way around an obstacle course. If that’s not enough, reach maximum velocity as you tackle a skydiving lesson at 3,800 feet. Complete specific objectives within a set time limit to score points (and maybe even a bonus chance) and obtain certification in eight different lessons. Your goals will become more challenging, and weather conditions will make controlling your vehicle more difficult as you progress. If you succeed, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to pilot an attack helicopter on a daring rescue mission. It’s time to earn your wings.
Nintendo DSiWare
The Oregon Trail
Publisher: Gameloft
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older) – Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 800 Nintendo DSi Points™
Description: Westward, ho! Your favorite pioneering adventure game takes you on an exciting, historic, side-scrolling adventure with your Nintendo DSi™ system. Take the Oregon Trail experience further than ever before with all of the decision-making and problem-solving fun of the original game plus additional challenges. Leave your mark on America’s history. Take a picture of yourself at each landmark with the Nintendo DSi system’s built-in camera. You’ll have your portrait and party’s name printed in the Daily Oregon Trail newspaper in the game. Play eight skill-based mini-games that will impact your resources: Hunting, Fishing, River Crossing, Rafting, Wagon Repairing, Telegraph, Berry Picking and Gold Panning. Random events faced by real pioneers – such as disease, bandits and hitchhikers – and side missions add more excitement to your westward trek.
SUDOKU SENSEI
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Introducing 100 “Super Hard Puzzles” for the hardened sudoku veteran. All puzzles are skillfully designed for a level of satisfaction that computer-generated puzzles just can’t offer. You can play through puzzles to learn about rules and controls in Tutorials mode. Other handy features include Write Mode and Temp Number for an easier, more enjoyable sudoku experience.
Glow Artisan
Publisher: Powerhead Games
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Solve mind-bending puzzles in this unique and colorful game. Use your wits and ingenuity to solve more than 100 puzzles and earn more than 300 medals. Play Time Trial, Randomizer and Multiplayer modes for an endless supply of new challenges. Create new puzzles with the built-in editor or use the Nintendo DSi Camera application to turn your photos into puzzles.
Master of Illusion Express: Psychic Camera
Publisher: Nintendo
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: Master of Illusion Express titles include mind-boggling magic tricks that you perform with your Nintendo DSi system. Learn the illusions, practice them and amaze your friends. Your audience will never look at your Nintendo DSi system the same way again after Master of Illusion Express: Psychic Camera proves that it has psychic powers. Astound others by taking their picture and revealing an item (such as a card, picture, letter or number) that they’re thinking about.
Arcade Hoops Basketball
Publisher: Skyworks Interactive, Inc.
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 200 Nintendo DSi Points
Description: From Skyworks comes the slickest basketball game for the Nintendo DSi system. See how many baskets you can sink in a fast-moving 45 seconds, using only your stylus and, of course, your lightning-fast hand-eye coordination. Arcade Hoops features your choice of three rockin’ soundtracks, state-of-the-art 3-D graphics and thrilling, high-speed game play for the most fun possible in under a minute. Advanced hoopsters can move on to the progressive level, where a moving basket provides an additional challenge – plus the chance to rack up even more points. For the real pros, there’s 3 Point mode, where speed and accuracy are a must as you shoot “threes” from downtown.
Nintendo adds new titles to the Nintendo DSi Shop and the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time on Mondays. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Wii Points or Nintendo DSi Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop. A Nintendo Points Card™ can be purchased at retail locations. All points from one Nintendo Points Card must be redeemed in either the Nintendo DSi Shop or the Wii Shop Channel. They are not transferable and cannot be divided between the two systems.
Remember that both Wii and Nintendo DSi feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit Wii.com or NintendoDSi.com.
These artists are among the more than 390 bands currently available through the Rock Band platform. With more than 1,000 songs available, Rock Band is, without question, the industry leader in providing the best selection of interactive musical content, songs and artists.
Rock Band DLC Additions for Xbox 360, PlayStation3 System and Wii
Paul McCartney’s historic three-night musical christening of New York’s Citi Field, witnessed by 120,000-plus attendees and universally hailed as a concert experience for the ages, was immortalized Nov. 17, when Hear Music/Concord Music Group released Good Evening New York City. And, as previously announced, beginning Jan. 5, Rock Band and McCartney fans will be able to download “Paul McCartney New York City Pack 01” in the Rock Band Music Store. McCartney’s solo debut on the Rock Band platform includes “Band on the Run (Live),” “Jet (Live)” and “Sing the Changes (Live).”
California punk rockers Blink-182 returns to Rock Band next week with another three pack of songs, including “Adam’s Song,” “First Date” and “I Miss You.” Punk legends The Ramones are back again with “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School,” and eclectic rockers The Psychedelic Furs return with “Love My Way” and “Sister Europe.”
Available on Xbox 360 and Wii (Jan. 5) and PlayStation3 system (Jan. 7):
· Paul McCartney – “Band on the Run (Live)” +
· Paul McCartney – “Jet (Live)” +
· Paul McCartney – “Sing the Changes (Live)” +
· Blink-182 – “Adam’s Song”
· Blink-182 – “First Date” +
· Blink-182 – “I Miss You”
· The Psychedelic Furs – “Love My Way” +
· The Psychedelic Furs – “Sister Europe”
· The Ramones – “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” +
(All tracks are original master recordings)
These tracks will be available for purchase as “Paul McCartney New York City Pack 01” or “Blink-182 Pack 02”, as well as individual tracks on Xbox 360 and PlayStation3 system, and as individual tracks on Wii. These tracks will be available Jan. 14 for PlayStation3 in the United Kingdom and Europe. Tracks marked with a “+” will also be available in the LEGO® Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content.
Price: $1.99 USD, £.99 UK, €1.49 EU (160 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) per track
$5.49, £2.49 UK, €3.99 EU (440 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360) for “Paul McCartney New York City Pack 01” or “Blink-182 Pack 02”
$2.00 USD (200 Wii Points™) per track
** Dates for Rock Band game tracks are tentative and subject to change. **
Website Links:
For more information, please visit:
Rock Band 2 is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Wii system. Xbox 360, PlayStation3 system and Wii versions support downloadable content.
Downloadable content for Wii is purchased via the in-game Rock Band Music Storeusing Wii Points™ purchased through the Wii™ Shop Channel and can be downloaded to the system memory or to an SD card for additional storage. The tracks stream directly from the SD card for seamless play.
With these additions, there are now 1,041 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/music). Rock Band continues to satisfy music fans’ and gamers’ voracious appetite for rock with more than 60 million paid downloads since its launch Nov. 20, 2007. The Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks and packs from the vast selection of offerings available to date without ever leaving the game as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band and Rock Band 2 are rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. Music downloads are not rated by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band 2 and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.
+++ New Screenshots and first MoveShotsTM+++
Just in time for the New Year, the development team at Reality Pump Studios have released several new “Two Worlds II” screen shots. In addition to the screenshots from Hatmandor, the jungle, and swamp landscapes, TopWare Interactive also introduces MoveShots; 3 second videos revealing gameplay shorts. These, so-called, MoveShots serve as a very vivid forecast into the Antaloor universe featured in “Two Worlds II” as well as dispelling any rumors about the possibility of doctored screen shots, which, unfortunately, are all too common throughout the modern day videogame industry.
Please find these visual appetizers at www.twoworlds2.com