Game On!

Chertsey, Surrey, UK – November 29, 2005 – Get ready to take your rage on the road … Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that Burnout™ Legends has shipped to North American retailers for the Nintendo DS™ portable video game system. Burnout Legends sets the standard for on-the-go automotive anarchy, combining the series’ trademark speed, destruction and depth with new features, gameplay refinements and connectivity.

Built from the ground-up for the Nintendo DS, Burnout Legends uses the touch screen to allow gamers to control their car in spectacular crashes by employing “aftertouch.” The game also features nine gameplay modes, including crash, road rage, pursuit and white-knuckle multiplayer via Wi-Fi.

Burnout Legends delivers updated versions of the most explosive moments from Burnout™, Burnout™ 2: Point of Impact and Burnout™ 3: Takedown™, with new gameplay, new cars and new surprises.

The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and carries an MSRP of $34.99.For more information about Burnout Legends, please visit http://burnout.ea.com or our press web site at http://info.ea.com

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Electronic Arts today announced that the The Sims 2 has gone gold for the PSP handheld videogame system and will be on store shelves by December 7th. With The Sims 2 for PSP, gamers can wirelessly delve deep into the mysteries of Strangetown and swap secrets with other PSP players to discover the unknown in this classic Sims 2 location. The full 3D world allows gamers to take their Sims through the adventures of Strangetown with five brand new neighborhoods and 20 unique locations custom-built for the PSP!

The Sims 2 for the PSP maintains the traditional and addictive gameplay that challenges players to keep their Sims happy, healthy and sane. Moreover, in addition to managing their Sims motives and wants, PSP gamers can fill their Sims homes with various exclusive, unique items available only on the PSP.

The Sims 2 is Everywhere!

When The Sims 2 PSP ships to store shelves on Dec. 13, the PSP version joins other console and handheld game versions on store shelves including The Sims 2 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, the Nintendo GameCube, the Game Boy Advance, and the Nintendo DS. Fans can even purchase The Sims 2 Holiday Edition, a special-edition holiday-themed version of the world’s best-selling PC game of 2004, The Sims 2. Additionally, mobile versions will be available across all major carriers this winter. The Sims 2 is officially everywhere this holiday season!

The Perfect Gift for Anyone on Your List
The Sims 2 makes a great gift for all your friends and family. The Sims franchise is recognized for being one of the few game brands to achieve popularity across all ages and genders. This widespread appeal has resulted in incredible success, with a string of top-selling games and combined sales for the franchise exceeding 58M units worldwide.

For more information, or to find out how the game will play on your favorite platform, please visit http://www.thesims2.com

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 30 PRNewswire -- Perhaps more people in the United States would be soccer fans if the field were surrounded by an electrified fence, players were armed with giant attack shells and goals were scored with explosive force. Rest assured, you won't find any boring scoreless ties in the new Super Mario(R) Strikers, which launches Dec. 5 in the United States, Canada and Latin America, exclusively for Nintendo GameCube(TM).
This isn't your usual Mario(TM) game. Up to four players can battle in aggressive five-on-five soccer matches that would elicit red cards from the most lenient of referees. Tackling and power shots are all part of the fun. If players gets in your way, just slam them into the electric fence that marks the out-of-bounds area. But such attacks come at a price: If you strike a player who does not have the ball, you reward the opposing team with a special Power-Up item that could be used against you.
"People have described this frenetic game as soccer meets Super Smash Bros.," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Soccer remains one of the most popular sports in the world, and Super Mario Strikers gives players the tools they always wished they could unleash on their opponents."

Super Mario Strikers features classic Nintendo characters, but with some serious attitude. Players can battle against friends or work their way up through the rankings to unlock bonus features like new stadiums and hidden cheats. The game, Rated E for Everyone, will be available Dec. 5.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Score = 3 out of 5

I'll cut to the chase right away. If you're looking for the best hockey game on any platform, then NHL 2K6 for Xbox 360 is it. Unfortunately that doesn't say much.

The ice is a work of art. It starts off all wet, shiny and reflective, and slowly get scratched and less reflective. The puck casts a shadow. You can see the scoreboard reflected in the ice and it's beautiful. The crowd is more realistic and more 3D. They react when players get close to the boards or better yet checked into the boards. Players themselves are more realistic with better player models and better physics where players are now broken down into limbs and body instead of just body so they sprawl appropriately when checked. Because everything is more realistic and in better 3D it's possible to pick and choose holes to pass through and openings on either side of the goalie. One of the coolest effects is the whip of the stick when a shot is made, and the snow that flies when someone stops is pretty cool too. And the goalie animations are frighteningly convincing.

The Xbox 360 version plays exactly like the Xbox version in terms of pacing and precision control of players. The major addition is Crease Control, a Marty Turco idea. This allows gamers advanced control as they can switch to the goalie's point of view and alter their positioning based on where the puck is played. As the opponent shoots the puck, the game goes into a dynamic slow-motion action perspective where the gamer must position the goalie's save cursor in the right location to stop the shot. It sounds confusing, but it isn't. The end result is that this is the first hockey game where it is fun to play goalie.

OK, sounds great, doesn't it? The problem is that once you get past the cloth physics and pretty animations there are some really stupid aspects to gameplay. First and foremost is the lack of acceptable defensive AI; if you opponent skates past you it's as good as a goal because your computer defenseman won't do a damn thing except screen your goalie. I'll give 2K Sports a pat on the back for fixing the rediculous ease with which the wraparound could be scored, but there are still a ton of garbage goals. I can't remember the last time I saw the real Marty Brodeur skate away from the net and stand in the middle of the face-off circle until the other team put the puck in net. I'm not sure the real Marty has EVER done that. I've also never seen the real Marty gather the puck with his stick and put it through his own 5 hole and into the net. And while I'm talking about the Devils, Scott Gomez's stats are accompanied by Peter Elias's photo.

The commentary is just plain wrong most of the time. There are things like showing that a guy has 3 hits and then saying, "Look, he's playing very physical today with 6 hits" or the announcer gets the score wrong or says the wrong team is on the power play. 2K Sports, if you can devote the time to make the players' clothes ripple as they skate, then put the game through another round of QA and stop the announcers from saying inappropriate things.

If you're like me, then you need to play hockey. If that's so, then NHL 2K6 is the best there is. If not, then go shoot hoops and wait until 2K Sports fixes the bugs. Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long.

If you'd like to view the slideshow click here.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NEW YORK, NY - November 23, 2005 - 2K Sports, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that College Hoops 2K6 for the Xbox(r) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft is now available at retailers across North America. 2K Sports' highly acclaimed college basketball franchise returns to deliver the most realistic collegiate experience yet, featuring an enhanced Legacy mode, underclassmen recruiting, high school camps, virtual coaches and an unprecedented five in-game commentators.

"Fans love college basketball because it portrays basketball in its purest state; where solid coaching, strong teamwork and school spirit prevail," said Greg Thomas, president of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. "College Hoops 2K6 incorporates this by introducing new features that make it the most comprehensive college basketball game, delivering the emotion and drama of the college experience like never before."

Bringing personality to the franchise mode are the coaches and multiple commentators. College Hoops 2K6 breaks new ground by featuring real college coaches, including Roy Williams, Tubby Smith, Jim Boeheim, and Lute Olson. College Hoops 2K6 gives gamers in-depth game coverage, enhanced by insightful commentary from Verne Lundquist as the play-by-play announcer, Bill Raftery for color commentary, Bonnie Bernstein reporting from the sidelines and Greg Gumbel and Clark Kellogg as tournament presenters.

"This is the first time that a video game company has obtained the licensing right to use a large number of college coaches within the body of the video game," said David Kirkpatrick, vice president of non-apparel marketing, The Collegiate Licensing Company. "We think that college basketball fans will revel in the opportunity to have top college coaches walking the sidelines."

In addition, College Hoops 2K6 showcases new features for the franchise such as Player Disposition, the Coach's Clipboard, the High School Camp and many of the elements that made NBA 2K6 a critical success, such as the Strip 'n' Rip System, Shot Stick and V.I.P. System(tm).

* Player Disposition focuses on each player's inherent set of attributes: consistency, focus, and confidence. By utilizing practice drills, scrimmages, and weekly meetings in the game, you try to raise these attributes to their peaks, so that you can heighten your Player Psyche and optimize your players' performances.

* The Coach's Clipboard feature captures the true collegiate atmosphere by stressing the importance of good coaching. The feature gives gamers the ability to give specific direction to their team during timeouts to help coach them to victory. Gamers have total control over individual zone replacements to make the necessary substitutions for improving zone defense efficiency and exploiting an opponent's weaknesses.

* The High School Camp feature lets gamers scout top performing high school players by visiting camps and observing or playing with the top prospects in the country to judge their performance in drills and scrimmages. This feature complements the underclassmen recruiting feature, in which gamers can now recruit high school players at any level and secure interest that will carry over from year to year.

Through the Xbox Live(r) online game service and PlayStation Online, College Hoops 2K6 provides gamers with the most realistic, interactive gaming experience with seamless head-to-head online play. The comprehensive online features also provide stat tracking, buddy list management and online leagues.

College Hoops 2K6 for the Xbox(r) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft is rated "E" for Everyone and available in North American retail stores for $29.99. College Hoops 2K6 for the PlayStation(r) 2 computer entertainment system will be available in stores in early December. College Hoops 2K6 for the Xbox 360(tm) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft is slated for release in early
2006.

Additional details and features will be available in the near future.

For more information, please visit www.2Ksports.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Right now I'm streaming Sonic Youth off my PSP onto my Xbox 360 to play in the background while I'm playing NHL 2K6. Now that's cool. If only I could get the 360 talking to Windows Media Connect on my desktop I'd have access to my many gigs of mp3s.

This is just one cool feature of the Xbox 360. It's big and ugly, but hell it can stream music from my PSP.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

SAN FRANCISCO (November 22, 2005) - SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that its upcoming first-person psychological thriller Condemned: Criminal Origins(TM) has shipped to retailers nationwide and is available for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Described by Official Xbox Magazine as "suspenseful, scary, and downright twisted," Condemned: Criminal Origins allows players to experience a heightened level of psychological tension as they use their instincts, forensic tools, and melee combat to track serial
killers and bring them to justice.

"Condemned: Criminal Origins has been built from the ground up for the Xbox 360; this game could not be made on current-generation technology," said Scott A Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America. "Photorealistic environments and strategic enemy AI combine to create a terrifying next-generation experience."

When played in 5.1 surround sound, this game is an aural assault on the senses. Gruesome weapons can be improvised by clever gamers - paper-cutter handles, wooden planks, and mannequin arms can be used to attack opponents. Enemies don’t merely run at the player; they find an appropriately powerful weapon to attack with, then hide in the shadows, waiting for an open opportunity to strike.

Condemned: Criminal Origins is rated "M" (Mature) by the ESRB and is available at retailers nationwide for an MSRP of $59.99. For more information about Condemned: Criminal Origins, please visit http://www.condemnedgame.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Project Gotham Racing 3
Score = 5 out of 5

This is a must have for PGR1 and PGR2 fans; no questions asked just go buy it. The franchise just keeps getting better and better. This version looks great, sounds great, the cars handle precisely. I can't think of anything wrong with it, except that maybe it isn't enough of a simulation for those people who want a full simulation experience. It's enough of a simulation for me - any more real and it would start to become a hassle to maintain the car and everything.

PGR3 looks so good that sometimes I purposely lose the race because I'm driving around looking at things. Everything looks good: the buildings, backgrounds, parks, water. Racing across the Brooklyn Bridge is very cool because the views up and down the East River are amazing. According to Microsoft Game Studios there are as many polygons in the Brooklyn Bridge as there was in the entire city in PGR2.

The sound is also fantastic. Each car has a unique sound and this sound is modified by the surroundings and whether it is in front or behind you, closing or pulling away. So you can hear a car, recognize the engine sound and hear it pull up on your right, look at it and know you were right and then it's by you. PGR3 is immersive in every sense of the word.

The online community can suck you in too and then all of a sudden it is 6 hours later and all you've done is played PGR3 all afternoon You can have an Online Career using the garage from your Solo Career. The Online Career mode automatically matches you against other players of a similar ability. They use the new TrueSkill system for rankings which measures your skills over four or five races. Your race from you online career might even end up on Gotham TV. The whole premise of PGR3 online is this Gotham TV, with a Heroes Channel to watch the best racers in the world, a Friends Channel where you can meet up with your friends.

One crazy detail is the crowd. They respond to your driving and jump out of the way when you crash into a wall. There are about 4,500 different combinations of crowd members, all built up from hundreds of modular body parts. Most of them are Bizarre Creations or Microsoft Game Studios employees.

Ridge Racer 6
Score = 4 out of 5

I'll cut to the chase right out of the gate. Ridge Racer is a fun to play arcade style racing game but PGR3 is more fun to play because of its realism.

I like Ridge Racer. The panoramic backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous. Each one is a work of art. The cars are amazingly detailed. The lighting effects and reflections are something to see. Surround sound is realistic and you can hear cars getting closer to you. It's an arcade style game meaning that sparks fly as you battle with your opponents. The cars handle like sleds that get thrown around curves at high velocity. It's pure arcade racing fun - thrills and spills that will get your heart pounding.

If you'd like to view the slideshow click here.

There are 130 cars and 30 courses. There's a career mode that tries to match you with events that are your speed, so to speak. This is the first time that Ridge Racer goes online. Players can choose to compete in a variety of different modes for up to 14 players, with voice chat support, including Rank Match and Player Match. Rank Match is tied into the games's persistent leaderboard, allowing players to compete for World Ranking Points in a series of races that can be customized by the game's host. Players can enjoy more casual races in Player Match, with outcomes that are not tied into World Ranking Points and settings that are also customizable by the game's host.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rating 5 out of 5

Firstly, this review has to start with a disclaimer. I have played Kameo for at least 5 hours a day for the past three days. I love it. It's beautiful. The animations are so fluid. Every surface has a reflection. When you talk to other characters you can see your reflection in their eyes. And who could object to the content? Giant weeds that beat up Trolls are awesome.

Kameo's parents ruled the elves and there was peace between the elves and the trolls. Then Kameo's evil sister kidnapped their parents and made a deal with the trolls. Now the trolls are trying to catch all of the elemental spirits that are worshipped by the Elves. Kameo must free the elemental spirits and use them to free her parents and her people.

Kameo morphs into 10 different elemental warriors on the fly. This makes the combinations of ways to fight a battle limitless. You can use Pummel Weed (my favorite) to box with the trolls. Or Major Ruin can run them over and impale them on spikes. Ash the dragon can blast them with flames. It's so much fun. You can morph in the middle of a battle, like use Rubble to shoot rocks at the distant enemy then morph into Pummel Weed to kick their asses when they get closer. Learning the combination of warriors it will take to fight bosses or maneuver through the land. Each elemental warrior brings something different to the action and throughout the journey, upgrades can be made on each character's attacks.

The thing is, Kameo just looks so good. Kameo represents the cutting edge graphics and gameplay that we should expect on 360. The vibrant graphics immerse you in Kameo's world. Rare battle scenes have you wading through thousands of enemy trolls. The backdrop are jaw dropping. Stopping while walking on a mountain road I gazed out upon the valley and saw the mountains on the other side, a river in the valley. And I could zoom in and see more detail or zoom out and appreciate the whole scene. In the garden, I could zoom in on a butterflies wings and see them fluttering in detail.

The game isn't all fighting. It's also heavy on the puzzle solving elements. You really have to figure out which warrior to use when. There are also levels where you morph into a ball (just like Metroid Prime) and you have to figure out where to go next sort of like a platformer.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm just getting the word out that I've got PC Magazine's Xbox 360 and I'm playing a lot of games. I'll write reviews of the games shortly and post them on this site.

Here's a link to my review on PCMag.com

I wrote an Xbox 360 review that's running on pcmag.com. I'll post a link when the article is posted. Then they're going to run an excerpt of that article in print in January

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm so excited. It arrived on Thursday night and I've been playing PGR3 and Kameo almost non stop. The scenery in PGR3 is simply amazing. I love racing across the Brooklyn Bridge and looking out over the East River. And Kameo, I can't put it down. The worlds are unique and involved, the graphics are beautiful, and the concept is great. You play as Kameo who needs to free elemental spirits and then use their forms to free her family being held captive by her evil sister. The evil sister has made a pact with the Trolls and they're out to get you. As you take on these elemental spirites you get different attacks. So far the best is being able to play as a giant weed and beating up trolls to set other weeds free. You can also be a pile of rocks that shoots the rocks at enemies and then they roll back and become part of you again.

On the negative side, the damn thing has a power transformer that is bigger than a Yorkshire terrier. It's pretty close to the size of a can of tennis balls. Who wants that in their living room? Oh well, enough bitching.

Nina loves the 360.

it's so warm and makes a reassuring humming noise.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gothenburg, Sweden, November 17th 2005 – Newly founded publisher-developer Legendo Entertainment today announced the demo release of its upcoming platform-action game, Legendo's The Three Musketeers.

The demo is available for download athttp://legendo.com/musketeers/downloads.htm (continuously updated with additional download locations). The following languages are supported (A-Z): Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Portuguese, Norwegian, Slovenian, and Swedish.

Legendo’s The Three Musketeers has recently been released in Scandinavia and Finland in partnership with Ubisoft Nordic, additionally a Dutch version is currently on sale in The Netherlands via a distribution deal with Ubisoft Benelux. Upcoming country releases include France where sales and distribution will be handled by Nobilis, Ecofilmes having signed up for Portugal, and even a fully localized Slovenian version that will be distributed by Colby. In addition, well-established Russian outfit Noviy Disk is set to publish the game in the former USSR. Legendo is actively seeking distribution partners for other territories, further inquiries should be directed to bizdev@legendo.com.

Story & Features

The Three Musketeers have been kidnapped! Well, almost - it's up to Porthos, famed member of the Musketeers, to save the day in the first game ever based on the world-famous novel by Alexandre Dumas.

In Legendo's story adaptation, Porthos, Aramis, and Athos are enjoying themselves at the Red Dove Inn, Paris, when young D'Artagnan suddenly bursts in. It turns out he's followed by the sinister Count Xavier and his evil lieutenant, the hook-handed count Orsini. The wicked pair of villains attacks the musketeers, and in the hullabaloo that erupts Porthos is knocked senseless! He wakes up shortly thereafter just to see his friends being hailed off in a prison cart!

Take on the role of Porthos, famed member of The Three Musketeers and save your comrades in this riveting run 'n jump romp, appropriate for adventurers of all ages!

* Prepare for a swashbuckling adventure as you encounter tons of enemies, puzzles, and traps. A clever control scheme allows for simple and accessible gameplay with tons of fighting, jumping, collecting and running!
* Convincing animated movie look made possible with superior cartoon 3D technology, backed up by jaw-dropping character designs inspired by the world-famous French-Belgian comic book style!
* More than 200 areas and rooms in 10 huge levels featuring übercool bosses and level environments, including lush forests, chilly dungeons, gigantic castles, a haunted Abbey, the town of Normandy, and more!
* The first game ever based on Alexandre Dumas' The Three Musketeers!
* Features three different endings!
* Runs on almost any PC - RadGameTools' PixomaticTM technology ensures compatibility with older graphics cards!
* Family entertainment appropriate for adventurers of all ages!

PC System Requirements:
* 1 GHz CPU (Pentium® and AMD), 256 MB RAM, 330 MB free disk space
* Windows® 2000/XP
* Graphics card*¹ with 16 MB RAM, a sound card*
* 16x CD-ROM drive / 4x DVD-DRIVE (or faster)
* Must be compatible with DirectX® 8.1 or newer.
¹ Game runs on almost any graphics card in software mode.

Facts:

Title: Legendo's The Three Musketeers
Format: PC CD-ROM
Publisher: Legendo Entertainment
Website: www.legendo.com
Category: Platform-Action
Players: 1
Age Rating: PEGI 7+ / USK Pending
Target Audience: Pre-Teen (7-12)
Release Date: Winter 2005/2006
SRP: Pending

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 7:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN FRANCISCO (November 16, 2005) -- SEGA® of America today announced the North American release of Sports Interactive's Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006, a sports management simulation game that lets gamers control all team-related activities for their favorite professional soccer teams in the U.S. as well as 49 other countries around the world. The game features advanced artificial intelligence (AI) that simulates day-to-day events and decision-making, including actual gameplay, that occurs when running a team. A try-and-buy trial version of the game is available at http://www.sega.com/wwsm2006.

Created by UK developer Sports Interactive, Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 features an award-winning game engine where gamers are responsible for overall team performance through the management of important franchise elements such as coaching, scouting, trading, training, human resources and finance. Simulated matches are played out using a top-down match engine developed with ex-Liverpool and Republic of Ireland legend, Ray
Houghton. With single-player or multi-player modes, soccer enthusiasts, fantasy sports, tycoon fans, and other sports fans can put their knowledge to the test by managing every facet of a soccer club.

Officially licensed by the Major League Soccer (MLS) in the U.S., Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 features leagues from 50 different countries, so gamers can manage clubs from countries such as the U.S., Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, England, Italy and Spain. The game includes a player database of more than 270,000 players and staff from more than 5,000 clubs worldwide in more than 170 divisions.

"Sports Interactive's games have sold over 8.5 million units worldwide," said Scott A. Steinberg, VP of Marketing, Sega of America, Inc. "This phenomenal new game is a must have product for any soccer fan in this country."

Currently released as Football Manager in Europe, Sports Interactive's soccer games have retailed for over 10 years with previous versions of the game ranked as the No. 1 and No. 2 fastest-selling PC games in the UK, with five titles in the Top 10 list, and the latest version selling more than 100,000 units in its opening weekend.

"Soccer fans and sports fans question the performance of their favorite team or the decisions made by the head coach, and Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 gives those fans an opportunity to see how they measure up!" said Miles Jacobson, CEO of Sports Interactive. "Because the game puts the entire soccer universe at one’s fingertips, gamers can turn any team in the world into a global superforce.” Jacobson continued, "The game has become a literal phenomenon overseas because it offers a deep-drilling, constantly interactive experience tha t extends far beyond the current limitations of fantasy sports."

Worldwide Soccer Manager 2006 is currently available via download at http://www.sega.com/wwsm2006 and in all major retailers in the U.S. with an MSRPof $29.99.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 7:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Redwood City, Calif – November 17, 2005 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced it has shipped its biggest launch line up of EA SPORTS™ titles to stores with four EA SPORTS branded games for the Xbox 360™. FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup™, Madden NFL 06, NBA LIVE 06 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® 06 are all available for the new game system.

The most heralded franchises in videogames sports history arrive at launch offering consumers four different sports games to play when they take their hardware out of the box for the first time.

“As launch titles, our four EA SPORTS titles for the Xbox 360 will give consumers a next generation sports experience from the time they take the shrink-wrap off the games and the console out of the box,” said John Schappert, Group Vice President and General Manager EA Studios. “This first round of games is what the hardcore videogame consumer wants, and we’re delivering that with these EA SPORTS launch titles.“

EA’s four EA SPORTS launch titles for Xbox 360 are:

FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup

FIFA 06 Road to FIFA World Cup immerses players into the emotional intensity of next generation soccer. Utilizing the power of the Xbox 360, fans will be able to revel in the world’s most sophisticated representation of soccer. Experience a newly enhanced gameplay engine that delivers extremely responsive controls and greater level of depth. New physics and animations mean that players will now react more realistically to every tackle, shot or pass of the ball.

Madden NFL 06

Madden NFL 06 for the Xbox 360 has been built from the ground up to deliver completely redesigned gameplay and the most lifelike football experience ever created. Gamers will feel the true emotion and passion on the football field with incredibly detailed player models that come to life on every play, as well as lifelike stadiums and fans. With a full Franchise mode, in-depth online play and a new presentation style with a hometown announcer and new playcalling system, Madden NFL 06 for the Xbox 360 is poised to once again raise the bar for the authentic football gaming experience.

NBA LIVE 06

Live and breathe basketball like never before with NBA LIVE 06 on the Xbox 360. Rebuilt from the ground up and powered by next generation gameplay, players can see and feel the emotion and intensity of the complete basketball experience with NBA LIVE 06. Players jump to life with real-world physics and enhanced animations including sweat rolling down the players’ faces. With true-to-life details, major gameplay advancements, and unprecedented player graphics, the sport of basketball is elevated to a whole new level with NBA LIVE 06.

Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06

With greatness comes pressure and in Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06 on Xbox 360, players experience the intensity of competing in championship golf events. Thousands of fans line the fairways and pack grandstands surrounding the greens, watching every shot as players aim to become the world’s #1 golfer. Players have a shot at realizing their ultimate dream of earning a PGA TOUR Card through Q-school and climbing the ranks on the PGA TOUR by playing against nine of the world’s greatest golfers like Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Chris DiMarco. It’s that pressure and the challenge of competing against some of the world’s top golfers on intimidating courses that await you in the next generation of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06.

“We will continue to deliver games in the coming months that demonstrate why EA SPORTS is a beloved brand and that authenticity, competition and innovation continue to be what EA SPORTS branded games deliver to the consumer,” Schappert added.

FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup, Madden NFL 06, NBA LIVE 06 and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06 are all rated E by the ESRB. For more information about EA’s entire Xbox 360 launch line-up visit http://www.info.ea.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (November 17, 2005) – Leading video games publisher and developer Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Me and My Katamari™ (working title), the first portable version from the award-winning Katamari franchise, will be launching in North America and Europe in 2006 exclusively for the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. Me and My Katamari is the third installment in the Katamari series and delivers more of the simple and addictive game play enjoyed in Katamari Damacy™ and We ♥ (Love) Katamari™, this time for the handheld platform.

“The mesmerizing appeal of the Katamari franchise’s game play continues to transcend cultural boundaries and receive critical acclaim,” said Yoshi Niki, Business Unit Director, Namco Hometek Inc. “We are excited to expand our offerings to the PSP system, so that our fans can play Katamari whenever and wherever they are.”

Taking a break from celestial construction, the King of All Cosmos takes the royal family on vacation to a tropical island paradise, where they become tasked with the responsibility of creating new katamari islands for homeless animals. An epic undertaking of this time, earthly proportions, the King calls upon his pint-sized son, the Prince, and all of his cousins for help.

New, exciting features found in Me and My Katamari include:

* Wireless play for up to four people on the PSP system;
* A cast of playable characters that includes the Prince and his cousins – a mix of familiar faces and new additions;
* A host of customization options for player characters, including new masks and headgear, as well as the ability to wear them on the head, face and body;
* A new island interface that highlights player options and the different stages represented by animals in need of a new homes.

For more information about Me and My Katamari for the PSP system, please visit http://katamari.namco.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN FRANCISCO – November 17, 2005 – Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Dogz®, the first puppy simulation game to be available exclusively for Nintendo's Game
Boy® Advance, has shipped to retail and will hit store shelves this week.

Dogz is a pet simulation game that lets owners name, train and play with a realistic puppy. Players create and control a main character and choose one of 49 different dogs from 18 different breeds. As characters in the game, owners can take their puppies everywhere within the virtual environment, from through the house to around the neighborhood to visit friends.

Gamers will earn their puppy's love and loyalty by remembering to feed and groom it and reward it when it does things correctly. Owners can train the puppy to lie down, shake, fetch and perform many other tricks.

"The millions of Game Boy Advance owners around the world now have the opportunity to play a puppy simulation game made exclusively for them," said Tony Kee, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "Dogz offers great storytelling and addictive interactivity, and it's ready to go home with new owners today."

Key Features:

Three Mini-Games Available: Play Run Puppy Run!, Puppy Reversi and Puppy Quiz with a cuddly new companion.

Visiting Mode: By linking two Game Boy Advance systems, players can send their puppy off to a friend's house.

Always Together Mode: After players complete the game, up to three puppies data are saved through an included backup feature. In Always Together mode, players can load the data of one of their previous puppies and play with it anytime.

Dogz carries an ESRB rating of “E” (Everyone) and an MSRP of $29.99. For more information about Dogz, please visit www.ubi.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Santa Monica, CA – November 16, 2005 – Gamers can now wield the ultimate power on New York’s city streets with the release of Activision, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) True Crime®: New York City. The game puts players into the role of Marcus Reed, a former gang member turned cop who confronts four of New York’s most deadly crime syndicates as he hunts down the murderer of his mentor, all while cleaning up neighborhoods from Chinatown to Harlem to Times Square. Mastering five fighting styles, advanced weaponry, special driving maneuvers and all-new interrogation tactics, gamers choose to walk the straight line and move up the police ranks or cross the limits of their authority.

“True Crime: New York City is the first game to deliver the ultimate urban drama set against a realistic version of Manhattan,” said Will Kassoy, vice president of global brand management for Activision Publishing. “The game’s deep and diverse gameplay takes players into the city’s neighborhoods, buildings and subways and lets them virtually experience the city in a way that has never been possible in a videogame.”

In True Crime: New York City players turn in or take out shady informants, cold-blooded killers and ruthless criminals as they navigate an authentic recreation of a dynamic, free-roaming present-day Manhattan, which includes landmarks, subways, interiors, GPS-accurate streets and real neighborhoods. If players allow crime to go unchecked in any of Manhattan’s dynamically changing neighborhoods, the crime rate will soar, the streets will fill with trash, potholes and unsavory characters, and buildings and foliage will visibly deteriorate. Alternately, if players clamp down on crime in a neighborhood, crime rates fall and visual improvements will indicate their progress as well.

The game features a voiceover cast of seasoned actors who lent their distinct voice talents to the game’s main characters. The cast includes Christopher Walken as FBI field agent Gabriel Whitting; Laurence Fishburne as drug kingpin Isaiah “The King” Reed; Mariska Hargitay as New York Police Lieutenant Deena Dixon; Mickey Rourke as New York Police Detective Terrence Higgins; Esai Morales as New York Police Organized Crime Unit Chief Victor Navarro; Traci Lords as madam Cassandra Hartz; Beetlejuice as himself; and up and coming actor Avery Waddell as former gangster turned cop Marcus Reed, the game’s main character and Isaiah Reed’s son.

Also appearing in the game is hip hop artist Redman as a secret character in his own unlockable level called “Red Gone Wild.” Redman created two original tracks for the True Crime: New York City in-game soundtrack which features over 80 eclectic songs from NYC raised or transplanted bands, spanning such diverse genres as punk, hip hop, hardcore and rock, bringing a true East Coast sound to the game.

True Crime: New York City was developed by Luxoflux for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube™ for a suggested retail price of $49.99. A Collector’s Edition is also available for the Xbox for a suggested retail price of $59.99 and includes a behind the scenes feature, level walkthroughs, voiceover talent featurette, Redman level overview, gameplay trailer, crime families dossier and city guide trailers. The game is rated “M” (“Mature” – Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, and Use of Drugs) by the ESRB.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN FRANCISCO November 16, 2005 Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Flow: Urban Dance Uprising, the first and only breakdancing and hip hop video game, has shipped to retail exclusively for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Flow: Urban Dance Uprising is rated T for Teen and has an MSRP of $39.99.

Flow: Urban Dance Uprising features classic breakdancing gameplay and a soundtrack of hip hop artists including the Sugarhill Gang, Kurtis Blow, and Eric B & Rakim. Gamers can compete against as many as seven other players and choose from a host of dancers that perform classic breakdance moves in one of 10 different urban settings.

Key Features:
• 50 urban dance tracks including tracks from famous hip hop artists.
• Six modes of play and three difficulty levels to choose from.
• 100 breakdancing challenges across all modes of play
• Up to eight players supported in three different party modes.
• 10 unique characters and 10 urban-flavored environments to choose from, with more than 100 distinctive dance moves.
• EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2) support.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Drakengard 1 was a great game. I remember defeating entire armies while riding my trusty dragon. Hopefully the second will be as good as the first.

SAN FRANCISCO NOVEMBER 16, 2005 Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that it has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Square Enix to bring DRAKENGARD 2 to North America and Europe. Under the agreement, Ubisoft will distribute DRAKENGARD 2 for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system.

Ubisoft is expanding its prior collaboration with Square Enix. Last year Ubisoft published Star Ocean Till the End of Time for PlayStation 2 and distributed the Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) FINAL FANTASY XI for Windows® throughout Europe.

DRAKENGARD® 2 is a role-playing action game featuring knights and dragons that builds on the scenario of the original title. Released in Japan last June, DRAKENGARD 2 became an immediate success, topping Japanese sales charts and selling more than 100,000 copies in its first week of release.

“We are very excited to be working with Square Enix to publish this highly anticipated RPG in North America and Europe,” said Jay Cohen, vice president of publishing at Ubisoft. DRAKENGARD 2 is a hit in the Japanese market, and we are sure that North American and European gamers will also be thrilled by this fantastic adventure title.

DRAKENGARD 2 will be available in Europe, North America and Australia in March 2006. For more information and updates on the game, visit http://www.ubi.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Score = 2.5 out of 5
Review by special correspondent Old Timey Gamer

I’ll never forget my first wargame: Avalon Hill’s Battle of the Bulge. I was held spell-bound at the first sight of the game’s map, which was mounted on cardboard and superimposed with hexagons. By the end of turn one, I was in love. Back then, the Internet wasn’t yet invented and the Commodore VIC-20 was considered a first-class gaming machine. In this era before the floppy drive, games were available only on cassette tapes. While this format brought many engaging games, such as Attack of the Blue Meanies, it could not deliver a complex strategy game. To find that kind of gaming experience, one had to turn to the cardboard counters, paper-based combat results tables, and thick-rule books part of any Avalon Hill wargame.
Technology has taken some giant steps forward since then and, for the most part, has left wargames, in all their hex-board, turn-based glory, behind to die alone and forgotten. Of course, there have been a few notable exceptions. Both the Panzer General and Battleground series brought wargames to computers and consoles with varying degrees of success. Panzer General emphasized playability over tactical and historical accuracy, while Battleground chose a different path and attempted to deliver games that detailed the weapons and warfare of a particular period, from Napoleon to WWII. It wasn’t until Combat Mission that it was demonstrated, without a doubt, that technology could deliver a superior wargame: one tactically rich, deeply realistic, and, most important, a joy to play.
These days, there aren’t many computer wargames on the New Release shelf of the local gaming store. Whenever one does make its way into production and wide distribution, like Shattered Union, a turn-based game played on a hex-board map, there is a reason to celebrate. Unfortunately, once the initial buzz of this game’s release wears off, there’s not that much life left in this party.
Shattered Union starts with an interesting premise, imaging a future in which, for various reasons, America has once again descended into civil war. The country breaks into six different groups, from the New England Alliance in the north to the Republic of Texas in the south. The European Union even becomes involved and, in an attempt to restore stability, invades Washington, DC (and is a playable faction in the game).
A game of Shattered Union is broken into two parts: one strategic and the other tactical. On the strategic portion, players move across a map of the United States, able to attack adjacent territories as well as build and repair units. The majority of game play is in the tactical mode. After a player chooses to attack, or is attacked, turn-based battles are fought over particular states with victory determined by how many cities are captured, or defended. Each tactical battle is 14 turns long.

If you'd like to view the slideshow click here.

All in all, it’s clear that the designers made playability top priority and in this regard they have succeeded. At its heart, Shattered Union is an engaging game: the AI is competent, there’s a wide mix of units, and the graphics and sound are both good. However, the tactical map is somewhat of a muddled mess. Not only is it difficult to distinguish friendly units from the enemy; it’s very easy to lose them on the game board entirely. In addition, the learning curve is too steep for a strategy game that puts simplicity and playability over realism or strategic depth, and the manual is no help whatsoever.

Battles in Shattered Union are won based on the numbers and types of units one brings to battle and not on tactics at all. This was my biggest disappointment with the game. On the other hand, there’s a Skirmish mode that allows one to fight tactical battles in any region between any two factions. Playing the game in this mode versus a human opponent could be rewarding.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDMOND, Wash. — Nov. 14, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that 18 Xbox 360™ games, spanning all the popular genres, and 13 Xbox 360 accessories will be available when the video game and entertainment system launches in North America on Nov. 22. Exclusive, thrilling racing games such as “Project Gotham Racing® 3,” sports games that hit hard with high-definition graphics and sound such as “Madden NFL 06” and “NBA 2K6,” action-adventure games such as “Kameo™: Elements of Power™,” innovative titles with multiplayer co-op gameplay like “Perfect Dark Zero™,” and intense action exclusives such as “Call of Duty® 2” contribute to the broadest and deepest retail launch lineup in console history.

The following Xbox 360 games will be available in North America retail locations on or before the console is launched Nov. 22:

· “Amped 3” (2K Sports)

· “Call of Duty 2” (Activision Inc.)

· “Condemned: Criminal Origins” (SEGA Corp.)

· “FIFA Soccer 06 Road to 2006 FIFA World Cup” (Electronic Arts Inc.)

· “GUN™” (Activision)

· “Kameo: Elements of Power” (Microsoft Game Studios and Rare Ltd.)

· “Madden NFL 06” (Electronic Arts)

· “NBA 2K6” (2K Sports)

· “NBA LIVE 06” (Electronic Arts)

· “Need for Speed Most Wanted” (Electronic Arts)

· “NHL 2K6” (2K Sports)

· “Perfect Dark Zero” (Microsoft Game Studios and Rare Ltd.)

· “Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie” (Ubisoft)

· “Project Gotham Racing 3” (Microsoft Game Studios and Bizarre Creations Ltd.)

· “Quake 4™” (id Software and Activision)

· “Ridge Racer 6” (Namco Ltd.)

· “Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06” (Electronic Arts)

· “Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland” (Activision)

Xbox 360 launch titles from Microsoft Game Studios will be competitively priced, with standard editions of “Kameo: Elements of Power,” “Project Gotham Racing 3” and “Perfect Dark Zero” all retailing for $49.99 (U.S. ERP). A two-disc “Perfect Dark Zero” Limited Collector’s Edition will also be available this holiday season for an ERP of $59.99. Xbox 360 accessories will range in price from $11.99 to $99.99. More information on all these products can be found at http://www.xbox.com.

“There has never been a more exciting time to be a gamer,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Worldwide Marketing and Publishing for the Home and Entertainment Division of Microsoft. “Xbox 360 will deliver mind-blowing experiences across multiple genres, no matter what your personal gaming preferences are. On Nov. 22, the next generation of gaming begins. From there, gamers will be overwhelmed with the pipeline of amazing Xbox 360 games yet to come.”

Xbox Live Arcade Launch Lineup

Adding to the already tremendous lineup of launch-day titles, Xbox Live® Arcade for Xbox 360 plans to offer between 12 and 15 bite-sized game titles on launch day one. With Xbox Live Arcade, casual and hard-core gamers alike will find a wide variety of game genres for download spanning action arcade titles such as “Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved” and “Mutant Storm Reloaded,” coin-op and retro classics such as Xbox Live multiplayer-enabled “Joust” and “Gauntlet,” puzzle games such as “Hexic® HD” and “Bejeweled 2,” casual sports games such as “Bankshot Billiards® 2,” light strategy titles such as “Outpost Kaloki,” and card and board games such as “Hardwood Backgammon” and “Hardwood Hearts.” Each Xbox Live Arcade game includes a free downloadable trial version so game players can try before they buy.

Xbox Live Retail Offerings

Also available on Nov. 22 are two Xbox Live retail offerings for gamers who want to up the ante on their online gameplay experience from the free Silver level of service to Gold membership. The 12-month Premium Starter Pack has an ERP of $69.99 and contains a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox 360 headset, a full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game “Bankshot Billiards 2,” a $20 (U.S.) game rebate coupon good for any Xbox 360 game title* and 200 points for use on Xbox Live Marketplace. The three-month Premium Starter Pack has an ERP of $39.99 and contains a three-month subscription to Xbox Live, an Xbox 360 headset, a full version of the Xbox Live Arcade game “Joust,” a $10 (U.S.) game rebate coupon good for any Xbox 360 game title* and 100 points for use on Xbox Live Marketplace. With nearly three-quarters of all launch games on Xbox 360 Xbox Live multiplayer-enabled, there’s never been a better time to get connected to Xbox Live.

In addition, to allow gamers to customize and enhance the Xbox 360 experience, 13 Xbox 360 accessories will be available by launch day:

· Xbox 360 Wireless Controller

· Xbox 360 Controller (wired)

· Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter

· Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote

· Xbox 360 Faceplates

· Xbox 360 Hard Drive (20 GB)

· Xbox 360 Headset

· Xbox 360 Memory Unit (64 MB)

· Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit

· Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack

· Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable

· Xbox 360 S-Video AV Cable (U.S. only)

· Xbox 360 VGA HD AV Cable

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

BURBANK, Calif. — (November 15, 2005) — The quest to save the enchanted land of Narnia has begun. Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), brings gamers and Narnia fans an unforgettable adventure with video games inspired by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s epic feature film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” scheduled to release in theaters December 9. The video games are now available at retail outlets in North America for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy® Advance system and PC, Buena Vista Games announced today. Players are thrust into a mysterious frozen world where they will play as four heroes -- Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy Pevensie -- to free Narnia from a cold, bleak eternity under the control of the evil White Witch.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games beautifully translate the film into an epic interactive experience,” said Andrew Adamson, film director. “They demonstrate the importance of having a film team that is involved in the production of the video games inspired by that film. Players will truly feel as if they have walked through the wardrobe doors and into Narnia, where they can control the destiny of the characters.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games take the classic story from the renowned book from C.S. Lewis to new heights by bringing the cinematic experience to life in a stunning interactive adventure. Playing as each of the four Pevensie heroes, gamers will battle the White Witch’s sinister minions in team-based, action-packed combat. Taking on a variety of creatures including Minoboars, Cyclopes, Werewolves and Ankleslicers, gamers must utilize each hero’s unique combat skills, weaponry and special moves to defeat hoards of enemies, solve elaborate puzzles and advance towards restoring Narnia.

“’The Chronicles of Narnia’ is one of The Walt Disney Company’s most highly-anticipated ventures this year,” said Graham Hopper, senior vice president and general manager, Buena Vista Games. “The Narnia video game represents collaboration between film making and game development at its best. The game immerses players into the land of Narnia and lets them experience an extensive adventure beyond the epic film.”

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe for PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and PC is developed by Traveller’s Tales and is rated “T” for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). The PlayStation 2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube versions carry a suggested retail price of $49.99. The PC version carries a suggested retail price of $39.99. The Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions are developed by Amaze Entertainment. The Nintendo DS version has an ESRB rating of “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older and carries a suggested retail price of $34.99. The Game Boy Advance version is rated “E” for Everyone by the ESRB and carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe video games uniquely convey the classic story. The console and PC versions are action/adventure games featuring 15 levels of combat and puzzle solving game play. The game also features seamless integration of film footage with game play and includes extensive use of voice talent from the film. Included are numerous unlockable bonus levels and features that reveal secrets about the making of the game. Also, the console and PC versions include a two-player co-op “drop in/drop out” feature in which a second player can easily join a single-player game already in progress.

The Nintendo DS version is an action/adventure game with role playing game features. The Nintendo DS game, which includes 60 maps, utilizes the touch screen for game play options, including managing inventory, conversing with allied creatures, casting spells and controlling one of four possible characters in real-time combat. A wireless multiplayer mode allows up to four people to play simultaneously.

The Game Boy Advance version is an action/adventure game that includes 17 levels of game play inspired by the film. Players earn role playing game-based Nobility power-ups to defeat the minions of the White Witch. The game includes a two-player linked or wireless multiplayer mode (accessories sold separately).

About The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe film
Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media Present “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” is a spectacular live-action/CGI motion picture adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ beloved literary classic. The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for Andrew Adamson (director of the Oscar®-winning “Shrek” and “Shrek 2”), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Anne Peacock (HBO’s “A Lesson Before Dying”) and scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson.

Lewis’ timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings – Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy -- in World War II England. The children enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of ”hide-and-seek” in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch’s powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free Narnia from Jadis’ icy spell forever.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SAN FRANCISCO November 15, 2005 Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that America's Army: Rise of a Soldier has shipped to retail stores for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. Ubisoft and the U.S. Army worked together to develop a new and unique experience for console gamers that features all the action-packed realism that players have come to expect from the America's Army game brand. With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to the vast military expertise of the U.S. Army, Ubisoft created the most authentic military console game to date by incorporating true-to-life character progression via an all-new Career mode. The PlayStation2 computer entertainment system version of America's Army: Rise of a Soldier is projected to ship in Q1 2006.

"We are very excited to bring the only official U.S. Army game to consoles," said Tony Kee, vice president of marketing at Ubisoft. "Working firsthand with the U.S. Army to create this all-new title has ensured the deepest and most realistic military game ever to hit the consoles. Players will become immersed in the complete Army experience while learning what it takes to rise through the ranks in the all-new Career mode."

Built in partnership with the U.S. Army and developed by Secret Level, America's Army: Rise of a Soldier offers the most true-to-life Army experience, allowing players to create a soldier and lead him through the excitement of an Army career. Intense single-player missions and high-adrenaline multiplayer action progress the skills of a soldier as he rises through the ranks.

"Our collaboration with Ubisoft has resulted in the most authentic console game about soldiering in the U.S. Army," said Colonel Casey Wardynski, originator and director of the America's Army game project.
"America's Army: Rise of a Soldier emulates the real Army, allowing players to choose their own career paths. Players can focus on individual Army roles, like Sniper or Grenadier, or experience different roles in their goal to achieve Green Beret status."

Key Features

Unique Career mode: Unparalleled character customization allows players to create a soldier and take him throughout his career from recruit to Special Forces Team Leader.
1. Earn experience points in training and combat missions and use them to increase core skills.
2. Play as an integrated member of an eight-man fire team at first then progress to become a Fire Team Leader responsible for and issuing commands to a fire team.

The only official U.S. Army game on the console: Real active-duty Special Forces operatives consulted with game designers to ensure the highest level of realism in any military game in existence. Authentic weapons, equipment and combat situations come straight from the U.S. Army subject matter experts.

Play it your way: Rise of a Soldier has no linear campaign design; players can choose their own career paths. Either focus on certain roles (sniper or automatic rifleman, for example) or experience different roles in the goal to achieve Special Forces.

Intense Military Action: Quick reflexes, smart tactics, and the use of teamwork are mandatory to succeed in army missions, which plunge players into ultra-realistic combat scenarios.

Multiplayer: Rise of a Soldier will offer a top-notch multiplayer experience with up to 16 players playing on Xbox Live® and online for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Career Mode will be brought online, where players can create and build an online character.

For more information, please visit: http://www.riseofasoldier.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Orange County, Calif. (November 15, 2005) – Cape-wearing couch potatoes have a reason to rejoice with the announcement that Planetwide Games’ self-publishing comic book software, Comic Book Creator™ has shipped and is available at retail outlets across the United States and Canada, and via digital download from http://www.PlanetwideComics.com. The innovative software title allows consumers to utilize their own video game screenshots, DVD movies, digital photos or art assets to create personalized comic books and comic strips.

“Comic Book Creator is a truly unique product in its ability to merge different forms of popular entertainment for fun and educational purposes, thus creating edutainment” said Kevin Donovan, President of Planetwide Games. “The title’s intuitive drag and drop interface and wealth of features provides for a user-friendly creative outlet for the whole family, regardless of artistic ability. Gamers can import screenshots and generate their own graphic novels; families can create custom comic books using their family albums and personal photos; and bloggers can add a humorous twist to their posts. The possibilities are endless.”

Comic Book Creator is the first PC based self-publishing software to integrate the comic book and video game industries. Comic Book Creator’s self-publishing software will empower a gamer or comic book enthusiast to construct their own original comic. Users will now be able to easily create and share their own comic book adventure captured and created from their PC based video game play.

To create a comic, users need only select from one of over 500 different layout and design templates, drop in their art assets and insert text bubbles to bring to life whatever story they can imagine. Comic Book Creator will work with any jpeg, bmp or gif digital image and once users complete their masterpiece they can share it with friends by printing or exporting the image into a PDF or HTML file for online distribution.

Minimum system requirements include a PC running Windows 2000 or higher, a Pentium 4 processor 128 MB of RAM, a CD ROM and a hard drive with 1 GB of free space. Comic Book Creator will sell for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Popular entertainment properties will also be available this holiday season via digital download content packs ranging in price from $2.99 to $9.99. Interested comic book and video gaming enthusiasts are encouraged to please visit: www.PlanetwideComics.com and create lasting memories.

A 14-day trial of the Comic Book Creator Self-Publishing Software can be downloaded at http://www.PlanetwideComics.com/instantdownload featuring all the functionality of the retail version of the software. The trial version printing and publishing capabilities contain a watermark on all printed and saved “Comic Book Creator” files. Watermarks are removed with the purchase of a full retail version of the software.

Users can purchase Comic Book Creator at video games and electronics retailers in the US and Canada. To find a local retailer, users can visit http://www.PlanetwideComics.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintendo of America today announces it will include a play control system in its next home video game system, code-named Revolution, coming in 2006.

By using a password-controlled setting, adults can decide what flexibility they'll allow younger players to have in playing video games rated E (Everyone), E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older), T (Teen) or M (Mature). The system
also ensures that dedicated adult gamers can opt to play without limitations. How does it work? The actual game software will contain a code indicating the rating, which will activate the control system to remain locked or unlocked. The feature will be included in every Revolution console worldwide.

"Even though many Nintendo games are rated E, E10+ or T, we believe this kind of feature should be included in the hardware. It's the right thing to do," explains Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president
of sales & marketing. "Game ratings are on the front and back of every game package, so families can easily make a decision about whether a game is right for them."
Game ratings are determined by a consensus of at least three specially trained raters reporting to the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. ESRB raters are of various ages and backgrounds, and to ensure their objectivity, are not permitted to have any ties to the computer and video game industry. The rating system, in place since 1994, is frequently cited as an example for other industries to follow.
"Nintendo has added an important tool for families in Washington state and around the world," said Gov. Chris Gregoire. "This new option gives parents more information and more control over what video games their kids play and at what age."
Nintendo's next console will usher in a new era of video gaming. It will feature a controller designed to be used with either one hand or two, a first in the video game industry. The position and motion of the controller itself
dictates the action on the television screen. A second, plug-in expansion gives hard-core gamers additional control for more in-depth game play. Revolution will play both new game discs, as well as Nintendo GameCube(TM)
discs. It also will have access to 20 years of fan-favorite games, including those from the Nintendo(R) 64, Super NES(R) and NES(R) eras.
The worldwide leader and innovator in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home and portable video game systems.
Each year, hundreds of all-new titles for the best-selling Game Boy(R) Advance SP, Nintendo DS(TM) and Nintendo GameCube(TM) systems extend Nintendo's vast game library and continue the tradition of delivering a rich, diverse mix of quality video games for players of all ages. Since the release of its first home video game system in 1983, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games and more than 353 million hardware units globally, creating enduring industry icons such as Mario(TM) and Donkey Kong(R) and launching popular culture franchise phenomena such as Metroid(R), Zelda(TM) and Pokemon(R). A wholly owned subsidiary Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about Nintendo, visit the company's Web site at http://www.nintendo.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SCEA announced the Spring 2006 North American release of Tourist Trophy, available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. Created by Polyphony Digital Inc., developers of Gran Turismo the best-selling worldwide racing videogame franchise, Tourist Trophy offers players more than 80 licensed motorcycles to race in various game modes amongst more than 35 international courses. Featuring gameplay for up to two players, Tourist Trophy captures the fluid movement of man and machine like never before with perfected game physics and graphics for an authentic true-to-life motorcycle riding simulation. Featured licensed motorcycle manufacturers include BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph and more.

To see a game trailer and learn more about Tourist Trophy, please visit http://www.touristtrophy-thegame.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you can help Donkey Kong(R), you can help a real primate. To celebrate this week's release of Donkey Kong(R) Country 3 for Game Boy(R) Advance and Game Boy(R) Micro, Nintendo is hosting a Where's DK? Search Event through Nov. 21. Participants must follow the clues on http://www.whereisdonkeykong.com to discover his whereabouts and earn a donation to charity.

For each of the participants who locate Donkey Kong, Nintendo will donate money to the Animal Protection Institute's Primate Sanctuary. API is a national animal-advocacy group. The mission of the Primate Sanctuary is to provide nonhuman primates a high quality of life with as little human interference as possible. The 186-acre sanctuary, located near San Antonio, Texas, is currently home to more than 400 primates, many of whom were rescued from abusive or exploitative situations.

In Donkey Kong Country 3, Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong(R) have been kidnapped and players must help Dixie Kong and Kiddy Kong find them. Players run, roll, hop and swing through enemy-infested stages to locate Donkey and Diddy. Players can catch rides on new and familiar animal pals as they explore nine worlds of adventure. Multiple mini-games and six new levels make this game shine.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Santa Monica, CA – November 7, 2005 – The crafty penguins from the DreamWorks Animation film “Madagascar” are taking their antics to Game Boy® Advance in MadagascarÔ: Operation Penguin from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). The new side-scrolling action adventure game casts players as “Private” the Penguin, a daredevil zoo escapee on his way to Antarctica and the exotic island of Madagascar. Through 18 mission-based chapters, players utilize inventive secret agent gadgets and conquer a host of challenging tasks.

Developed by Vicarious Visions, Madagascar: Operation Penguin for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance is currently available in retail stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $29.99 and is rated “E” (“Everyone”– cartoon violence) by the ESRB.

In Madagascar: Operation Penguin players adventure through 18 mission-based chapters while battling enemies, collecting useful tools, scouting out danger and exploring new surroundings. With crazy contraptions and unique gadgets, such as a soda bottle jet pack or hamburger wrapper parachute, players can break free from the confines of the zoo as well as master moves like karate chops while trying to escape enemies such as foosa, birds, rats, porcupines, baboons, snakes, walruses, crocodiles and lemmings. Film favorites Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo each get their own special level in Madagascar: Operation Penguin.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Founded in 1979, Activision posted net revenues of $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Spain and the Netherlands. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company's World Wide Web site, which is located at http://www.activision.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)