Game On!

SAN FRANCISCO, CA-April 28, 2006-Video Game publisher Mastiff today announced that Paramount Pictures' Top Gun for Nintendo DS(tm), under license from Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, has shipped to retail. An action-packed tribute to the blockbuster movie hit of 1986, Top Gun takes advantage of the unique Nintendo DS interface for high octane mastery of the sky.

Top Gun for Nintendo DS takes a look at the danger and excitement that awaits every pilot at the Navy's prestigious fighter weapons school. Top Gun players enter as rookie pilots, selected along with a handful of other pilots for elite training at the US Navy's Fighter Weapons School. To become the best fighter pilot in the world players must to go head to head with the best of enemy fighter pilots.

Top Gun puts the player in the cockpit of a heavily armed jetfighter plane. The game includes 10 single player missions (plus 2 unlockable secret missions) such as high altitude dogfights, escort missions, and protecting airspace, over a variety of terrain with dramatic weather and visual effects. Top Gun also features head to head play for two, three or four players. High quality sound effects take advantage of the Nintendo DS's ability to deliver virtual surround-sound.

Top Gun features include:
" Top Gun Competition Campaign includes elite training and realistic combat
" Choose different fighter planes, each with different handling characteristics
" 10 (+2 unlockable) diverse missions across arctic, ocean, forest and desert zones
" Weapons include machine gun, fire-and-forget missiles, homing missiles
" Multiplayer dogfight for 2-4 players
" Stunning visual effects include explosions, water splashes, smoke, and gun/rocket trails
" Challenging weather effects include sun, rain, animated clouds, and snow
" Pulse-pounding music reminiscent of the movie soundtrack

About Mastiff
Mastiff is a publisher of interactive entertainment with offices in Tokyo, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Recent titles from Mastiff include Dr. Sudoku for the Game Boy® Advance and La Pucelle: Tactics, which was recently awarded an Editor's Choice Award from leading gaming website, IGN.com, and a "Must Buy" from the top PlayStation 2 publication, PSM. Please visit www.mastiff-games.com for more information.

About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products

Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) manages the merchandise licensing, home video, music, book and interactive software businesses for Nickelodeon brands and characters as well as the properties of Comedy Central, Spike TV and MTV Networks International. In addition, NVCP manages the merchandise, interactive, book, and wireless licensing for Paramount Pictures properties. Nickelodeon, MTV Networks, Comedy Central and Spike TV are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

Top Gun © 2006 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ottawa, April 27, 2006: After avenging his master’s death and defeating Akuma, Ryu faces his biggest challenge to date: an infant hell-bent on world domination. To promote the release of Fox Home Entertainment’s American Dad Volume One DVD Collection on April 25, Fuel Industries partnered with Capcom® Entertainment to create American Dad vs. Family Guy Kung Fu, a Street Fighter®-style game that pits the characters of both shows against each other in no-holds barred battles. In order to win, you must prove you’re kung fu worthy by facing off against the ultimate boss – Ryu.

In the most anticipated television cross over since Urkel showed up on Full House, American Dad vs. Family Guy Kung Fu allows fans to play as any of six characters from either of the shows, plus two mystery characters that will launch next week, each with up to four special combos and their own deadly finishing moves, including Stan’s Heart of Justice, where he stabs opponents with the American Flag. The arcade version of the game also has a secret unlockable, allowing players to fight as Ryu himself.

“When we first started conceptualizing this, we started from an idea that we all loved, and basically tried to push it as far as we could,” says Mike Burns, CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Fuel Industries. “When the idea of making Ryu the big boss came up, we were on the phone with Capcom within about five minutes.”

A truly transmedia campaign, American Dad vs. Family Guy Kung Fu brings together gaming, television and the Web seamlessly. From Roger’s girlish outfit to Peter’s vomiting finishing move, the game incorporates the twisted humor that has made both shows famous.

“From the beginning we knew that there were going to be hardcore American Dad and Family Guy fans playing this and that if we didn’t make the game live up to their expectations, that they would tear it apart,” says Burns. “There’s a lot of detail in the game that I think real fans will appreciate.”

Fuel and Fox intend to expand the game in the coming months to add new characters, special moves and easter eggs to the game.

“The game is a lot of fun, and we want people to keep coming back to it,” says Burns. “It’s exactly what an advergame campaign should be – fun, addictive, and what the fans want to see.”

Fans can play the game at http://www.americandadvsfamilyguy.com/. The American Dad Volume One DVD Collection will be available in the U.S. and Canada on April 25, 2006.

Characters and Special Moves:

Stan Smith – All-American CIA Operative and Dad
Special Move: Gun Attack Finishing Move: Heart of Justice

Hayley Smith – Stan’s liberal daughter
Special Move: Burning Bra Attack Finishing move: Molotov Cocktail

Roger – the Smith’s resident alcoholic extra-terrestrial
Special Move: Smoke Ring Finishing move: Ooze Explosion

Peter Griffin – Fat, lovable oaf and head of the Griffin household
Special Move: The Gaslight Finishing move: Ipecac Vomit

Lois Griffin – Peter’s domestic better half
Special Move: Triple Sword Attack Finishing move: Special Move: Katana Scalp

Stewie Griffin – Peter and Lois’ baby boy, hell-bent on world domination
Special Move: Chain Gun Attack Finishing move: Diaper Bomb

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Redwood City, Calif., April 27, 2006 – The chance to play with your heroes for soccer’s most important trophy became a reality this week after Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) started to ship the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ game to stores around the world. The event’s only officially licensed videogame has developed enhanced gameplay attributes and stunning graphics that bring to life close to 100 superstars, and captures all of the spirit and pageantry of the real-world tournament. It is the closest fans can come to experiencing 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™ without playing in it.

Along with the release of 2006 FIFA World Cup, EA and FIFA announced the extension of their long-term partnership, making EA the worldwide and exclusive FIFA Licensee for soccer action simulation, manager and arcade-style games across all console platforms, PC, handheld platforms, mobile phones and online formats. The on-going partnership will allow EA to continue to bring the most genuine soccer gaming experiences to consumers with the authenticity of the FIFA soccer world, and includes games for the future FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014. Working together, EA and FIFA will continue to bring their combined passion for interactive sports entertainment to millions of sports fans around the world for years to come.

“Renewing our strategic partnership with FIFA will enable us to continue to deliver the most authentic football titles to fans who have helped to make our FIFA games the most successful football videogame franchise in the world,” said EA’s Gerhard Florin, Executive Vice President and General Manager for International Publishing.

In 2006 FIFA World Cup, users step into the heart of the action as they play their favorite team or most loathed opponent. Featuring stunning visual representations of the world’s superstar players, gamers experience the 12 official stadiums as they take their team from qualification to glory. In addition to taking control of one of 127 national teams, players will enjoy groundbreaking new play modes. Global Challenge tests even the biggest soccer fanatic by recreating classic moments in FIFA World Cup history with modern teams. True champions can challenge their friends in eight-way multiplayer matches and take advantage of tremendous in-game un-lockable content such as legendary players and exclusive licensed football apparel.

2006 FIFA World Cup, developed by EA Canada under the EA SPORTS™ brand, ships today in North America and on April 28 in Europe and Asia on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® and Xbox 360™ video game systems from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, and Game Boy® Advance, PC and mobile. It will ship on the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system in May. The game is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and has a PEGI rating of 3+.

Learn more about the game at: http://www.easports2006fifaworldcup.com/

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 28, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that former University of Southern California All-American running back and 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy® Award winner Reggie Bush will appear on the cover of NCAA® Football 07, the newest iteration of EA SPORTS™ best-selling college football video game franchise.

“This has been an amazing year for me and being chosen for the cover of NCAA Football 07 is a great way to end my college career,” said Bush. “I’ve grown up playing EA SPORTS games and never imagined I would see myself on the cover of one.”

Bush, who is expected to be one of the top picks in the NFL Draft this weekend, also won the Walter Camp Award (Player of the Year), Doak Walker Award (Best Collegiate Running Back), 2005 Associated Press Player of the Year Award and The Sporting News Player of the Year Award. Starting all 13 games for the Trojans in 2005, Bush led the nation in all-purpose yards per game (222.3) and yards per rush (8.7), guiding USC to its third straight appearance in the national championship game.

NCAA Football 07 is all about turning the tide and features an all-new momentum system where big plays, defensive stops, and special teams keep you in constant struggle for momentum and can change the game at any time. Unprecedented graphics produce living stadiums that capture every moment in complete detail, including the authentic stadiums, mascots, and marching bands, making NCAA Football 07 the most realistic college football gaming experience ever.

Developed in Orlando, Florida by EA Tiburon, NCAA Football 07 will be available in July on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and Xbox® video game system from Microsoft. It will also be available for the first time on the Xbox 360™ and the PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) system. The game’s official website is www.ncaafootball07.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for videogame systems, personal computers and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS™, EA™, EA SPORTS BIG™ and POGO™. In fiscal 2005, EA posted revenues of $3.1 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stourbridge, England, April, 28th, 2006 - Metro 3D Publishing, Earache Records and games developer Data Design Interactive unveil the pack shot for the all-action packed racing game ‘EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING’ for PlayStation2, PC and PSP all formats which will be due for shipping on 7th July 2006.

EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING will feature ten evil Earache racing teams burning a lot more than rubber through hell and other wastelands. Along with themed tracks from the combatants on the starting grid there’ll also be a plethora of extreme Earache classics making up the soundtrack of the game from such luminaries as Napalm Death, At The Gates, Cathedral, The Haunted, Hate Eternal, Cult Of Luna, Beecher, Urkraft, Anata, Mistress, Severe Torture and many others.

EARACHE ARTISTS CONFIRMED AS RACING 'TEAMS' :

Mortiis

Deicide

Morbid Angel

Akercocke
Decapitated

Biomechanical
Municipal Waste

The Berzerker

Linea 77

Society 1

Ashley Mortimer, Marketing Manager, Earache Records says:

"Earache prides itself on innovation. As an independent label we've been on the cutting edge of unique and groundbreaking music for 15 years and we relish every opportunity, particularly a new or unusual one. We don't know of any other labels who have released their own game and the cross-marketing possibilities are really exciting. Culturally we don't think music and gaming are so far apart, many music fans play computer games, and nearly all gamers listen to music so we have teamed up with DDI and Metro3D to produce Earache Extreme Metal Racing. Your car shreds the opposition, the soundtrack shreds your ears - what a great combination!"

EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING uniquely was conceived and created by 16 year old Gothic metaller Sky Nash and all started as a possible way to not only keep her amused but potentially to dissuade her from following her overworked father into a gaming career.

Frazer Nash of Frazer Nash Communications describes how his daughter created the game during work experience at developer, DDI: “Sky, then just 15, was given a huge responsibility to design her own (tongue in cheek) game. By the end of the first week, she had created a Gothic-looking game, complete with drafted levels and an awesome soundtrack. 12 months on and with professional development courtesy of Sam King and Mike Rooker (art), Mark Gemmell (production), Karl White and Julian Salter (Programming) at DDI. Aimed to appeal to Goth / Rock music fans the world over, Metro 3D have created EARACHE EXTREME METAL RACING - a monster of a game.”

Stewart Green MD of Metro 3D says:

“In a very male dominated industry you tend to think in stereotypes so when I heard that Sky, our latest girl on work experience had some design ideas to improve an off road racing game. I initially thought I was going to hear ‘make it pink with rainbows’ but I was very pleasantly surprised to hear she thought we needed the ability to mow down zombies, more carnage with chainsaws and metal spikes, and it just had to have an extreme thumping heavy metal sound track… and so Earache Extreme Metal Racing was born”

“The game is frantic, mad as hell fun, oh and in the end there was some pink … on the headless corpse bride! We have been working with Sky for the past year and the school has already booked her back for next year - to work on the sequel.”

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 11:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES--April 28, 2006--The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3Expo), The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), and the Prints & Drawings Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) today announced 16 works of art from video games selected for the 2006 Into the Pixel exhibition. Now in its third year, Into the Pixel (ITP) is the world's only juried art exhibition that brings together curators from world-renowned museums, cutting-edge galleries, and the interactive entertainment industry to explore the art of the video game. The 2006 ITP art exhibition will take place May 10-12 in the Concourse Foyer of the Los Angeles Convention Center during E3Expo, the world's premier interactive entertainment trade event for computer and video games and related products.
"The Academy is thrilled to provide a platform that demonstrates its members talents, and the artistry that is now a driving force behind today's compelling interactive experiences," said Joseph Olin, president, The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences. "There could be no better venue to celebrate these great works than E3Expo."
The 2006 ITP Collection includes 16 pieces of art selected from a field of more than 150 submissions that spanned the globe. The jury's selections showcase game artists' work from the US, UK, Japan, Poland, Germany, France and Canada. Art in this year's Collection features a breadth of genres, including single-figure character art, landscapes, and fantasy -- as well as art that is influenced by traditional Japanese art, panoramic paintings, line art, "woodblock," and much more. For more information about Into the Pixel art, artists and jurors, please refer to www.IntoThePixel.com.
ITP has established itself as the one annual opportunity for computer and video game artists to receive critical review of their creative achievements by peers in the both digital art world and traditional fine art experts. All 16 works of art that make up the Into the Pixel Collection are printed by a master printer, then framed and hung in the ITP Gallery at E3Expo. This year's Gallery opening is sponsored by GameTap.
"Into the Pixel has established itself as the interactive entertainment industry's most prestigious opportunity to showcase the art of the game, and celebrate the artists whose talent creates these stunning images," says Doug Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers and the owner of E3Expo. "Through the unique partnership between E3Expo, the Academy and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Into the Pixel has pioneered the digital game art exhibition and continues to facilitate this valuable conversation between the traditional and digital art worlds."
Interest in Into the Pixel has spurred requests from around the world to host the Collection. Over the past year, the ITP Collection has been on exhibit at E3Expo, the Tech Museum in San Jose, the Academy's D.I.C.E. Summit conference in Las Vegas, and a private showing in Los Angeles. In October, ITP will make its European debut at GameCity in Nottingham, England. Additional venues are in the process of being finalized.

Into the Pixel: Selected Artworks & Artists

Winning
Artwork Title Artist Company Game Title Country
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Aegan Landfall Elveon / An
Radoslav Elvish
Javor 10TACLE Studios Action Epic Slovakia

Alin Glass Big Huge Rise of
Desert Dylan Cole Games/Microsoft Legends USA

Chicago Train Stephan
Graveyard Martiniere Midway Games Stranglehold USA

Damascus Souk Nicolas
Bouvier and
Patrick Project
Desgreniers Ubisoft Assassin Canada

Darkness FreeStyleGames/Sony
Computer
Entertainment
Brian Dugan Europe B-Boy UK

Eyes Gerald
Obringer
and Pierre Evidence -
Guillaume The Last
Baret Lexis Numerique Ritual France

Floating
Mosque Daniel Dociu Arenanet Guildwars USA

In the Garden Metal Gear
of Eva Yuji Konami Digital Solid 3:
Shinkawa Entertainment Subsistence Japan

Into the Fray Daryl
Mandryk Buena Vista Games Turok Canada

Monster House Monster
Toy Room Donald Caron THQ House USA

Rooftop The
Godfather
Tyler West Electronic Arts The Game USA

Rooftops Daniel Dociu Arenanet Guildwars USA

Screen_000027 Chris Davie Project
and PGR3 Bizarre Gotham
Art Team Creations/Microsoft Racing 3 UK

The Road Damian
Bajowski CD Projekt RED The Witcher Poland

The Sphere Ashley Welch Human Head Studios Prey USA

Titan's Head Sony Computer
Eduardo Entertainment
Gonzalez America God of War USA

ITP 2006 Jurors:

-- Kevin Salatino - Lead Juror, LACMA: Curator and Department
Head, Prints and Drawings

-- Cynthia Burlingham - Hammer Museum: Deputy Director of
Collections

-- Ryan Church - Freelance Concept Artist

-- Caryn Coleman - LA gallery sixspace / art.blogging.la:
Co-owner and Director

-- Tim Langdell - University of Southern California: Professor /
EDGE Games: Chairman

-- Lorne Lanning - Oddworld Inhabitants: President/Creative
Director

-- Louis Marchesano - Getty Research Institute: Collections
Curator, Prints and Drawings

Sponsors:

Into the Pixel is presented by GameTap, with a major contribution from GameCity.

About E3Expo

E3Expo is the world's premier trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show, now in its twelfth year, is owned by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the U.S.association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies, publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.e3expo.com or www.theesa.com.

About the Prints & Drawings Council of LACMA

The Prints and Drawings Council (formerly the Graphic Arts
Council) is a nonprofit organization which supports LACMA's Department of Prints and Drawings and encourages the appreciation of original works on paper. The Council raises acquisition funds for the Department of Prints and Drawings through membership dues and fundraising activities. Established as an independent institution in 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has assembled a permanent collection that includes approximately 100,000 works of art spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present, making it the premier encyclopedic visual arts museum in the western United States. Located in the heart of one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, the museum uses its collection and resources to provide a variety of educational and cultural experiences for the people who live in, work in, and visit Los Angeles. LACMA offers an outstanding schedule of special exhibitions, as well as lectures, classes, family activities, film programs and world-class musical events. Call 323-857-6000, or visit our web site at www.lacma.org for more
information.

About the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences:

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences(R) (AIAS) was founded in 1996 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of the interactive arts. The Academy's mission is to promote and advance common interests in the worldwide interactive entertainment community; recognize outstanding achievements in the interactive arts and sciences; and conduct an annual awards show (Interactive Achievement Awards) to enhance awareness of the interactive art form. The Academy also strives to provide a voice for individuals in the interactive entertainment community. In 2002 the Academy created the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, a once yearly conference dedicated to exploring approaches to the creative process and artistic expression as they uniquely apply to the development of interactive entertainment. The Academy has over 10,000 members, with the board composed of senior executives from the major videogame companies including Bioware/Pandemic, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and Ubisoft. More information on AIAS and the D.I.C.E. Summit can be found at http://www.interactive.org and http://www.dicesummit.org

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Santa Monica, CA – April 27, 2006 – Over 140 Marvel characters come together in Activision, Inc’s. (Nasdaq: ATVI) Marvel™: Ultimate Alliance, an all-new action/RPG that features the largest roster of comic book characters ever seen in a video game. Players assume the roles of more than 20 Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, Wolverine, Blade and Captain America, and through their actions determine the fate of both planet Earth and the Marvel universe – revealed in one of multiple epilogues.

“Marvel: Ultimate Alliance delivers a new twist on action/RPGs where players’ actions and choices ultimately determine what happens to the Marvel universe,” states Will Kassoy, Vice President of Global Brand Management for Activision. “This coupled with the game’s enormous character roster will deliver an action-packed experience that comic book fans have been waiting for.”

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features a deep, rich gameplay experience by offering total team customization, where players create their own team name, icon and vehicle, as well as establish their team reputation as they play throughout the story. Gamers also have the option to level up each character individually to their liking, or all team members at the same time to keep their heroes balanced. With the game’s new combat system, players battle against the world’s most notorious Marvel Super Villains in the air, underwater, and on the ground, using grappling, blocking and dodging moves, by charging up their Super Hero powers before unleashing them, and using environmental objects as one and two-handed weapons.

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance features a unique storyline where the missions players accept, the objectives they complete, and their interactions with other characters throughout the game directly impact how the story plays out. The game also features a robust multiplayer component where fans can band together with friends as their favorite Marvel Super Heroes, and fight evil in both on and offline cooperative story modes. There’s also a Competitive Mode where the game tracks various in-game stats so players can see how well they stack up against one another – affecting the amount of experience points earned and how equipment is distributed.

Created by Raven Software and C.B. Cebulski, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance will be the first Super Hero game out for all next-gen gaming systems, and will also be available on current-gen, handheld and PC platforms. The game is currently rated RP (Rating Pending) by the ESRB and is planned to ship this fall.

About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

With a library of over 5,000 characters, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies. Marvel's operations are focused on utilizing its character franchises in licensing, entertainment, publishing and toys. Areas of emphasis include feature films, DVD/home video, consumer products, video games, action figures and role-playing toys, television and promotions. Rooted in the creative success of over sixty years of comic book publishing, Marvel's strategy is to leverage its character franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world. More information about Marvel can be found at www.marvel.com.

About Activision, Inc.

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 www.activision.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 1:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 26, 2006 – Music game publisher RedOctane® today launched their worldwide search for the next guitar hero! The “Be a Guitar Hero” II competition offers independent musicians the opportunity to have their song featured in game play for the upcoming title “Guitar Hero II™” for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. “Guitar Hero II” is the follow-up title to 2005’s award-winning release, “Guitar Hero™, which rocked the game industry and garnered a stack of awards.

Independent artists are eligible to submit original music for inclusion in the sequel “Guitar Hero” videogame, scheduled for North American release in November 2006. Considered songs must fall in the ‘hard rock’ or ‘heavy metal’ genre with a featured lead guitar. RedOctane will accept music entries through their community website www.beaguitarhero.com and submissions must be completed by 11:59 p.m. PST on June 30, 2006. This newly launched website features an easy submission process so contestants can directly upload mp3’s for contest entry.

The grand prize winner will have their song featured in the top-secret track list for “Guitar Hero II” and is eligible for additional publicity through game launch promotions. Graveyard BBQ, the winner of the first “Be a Guitar Hero” competition, will rock live at the RedOctane booth (Kentia Hall #6521) during the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles next month. Their song “Cheat on the Church” is featured as an unlock song in “Guitar Hero”, currently on retail shelves nationwide.

Rock enthusiasts can visit the community website www.beaguitarhero.com to discuss music in the upcoming game and share game tips. A new photo gallery is now available where fans can upload photos of their favorite “Guitar Hero” moments and modded guitar controllers.

The game that has inspired a nation of wannabe rock stars to achieve videogame greatness is scheduled for a new US tour on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in November 2006. Musical giant Gibson Guitar is also expected to be on board. Like the original “Guitar Hero”, a selection of famous Gibson electric guitars will be available for characters to play.

To learn more about the “Be a Guitar Hero” II competition and to read contest rules please visit www.beaguitarhero.com

The grand prize winner will receive the following prizes:

- Epiphone G-400 Electric Guitar
- EMG Zakk Wylde pickup set
- Krank Distortus Maximus distortion pedal
- Pacific Drums and Percussion CX Drumset
- Morley Pedal Steve Vai Bad Horsie Wah pedal
- Copy of “Guitar Hero” and “Guitar Hero II” videogame
- Winner’s music track to be included in “Guitar Hero II”

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thursday 27th April 2006 - Sports Mogul, the sports management specialists, are proud to announce that Baseball Mogul 2007 sold its 1,000th copy on 27 April 2006 -- less than one month after the initial release. . The Chicago-based studio, famed for its work on Baseball Mogul and Football Mogul announced that this was their best sales year to date thanks to the effort they put into making this the best Baseball Mogul yet.

In celebration of this milestone Sports Mogul has pledged to give one thousand dollars to fight hunger worldwide. "One thousand units is a big milestone for a company like us. Its only right that we give some of it back because of how lucky we are," said Clay Dreslough, CEO of Sports Mogul."Baseball Mogul has always been the best baseball simulation you could buy. This year’sversion is the best version ever and our sales reflect that fact,” commented Dreslough, Lead Developer of Baseball Mogul. “Being able to re-write huge sections of the game this year has allowed us to leapfrog past previous versions. The game engine now calculates the result of every pitch but does it even faster than our previous version. When you add in the new Live Play-By-Play mode, its the best baseball game you can buy for $19.99. Even I am blown away by the results. Baseball Mogul 2007 is by far the best version of the game we have ever developed."

Core game features

Manage your own baseball franchise

Set up the line-ups, your pitching staff and depth charts. Demote the struggling rookie, put the injured starter on the DL and trade for a backup catcher. Manage the 40-man roster and scout the upcoming rookie draft pool. In Baseball Mogul you can do almost anything a real life GM can do to guide your team to glory.

A realistic and accurate simulation engine

No baseball game is complete without stats and Baseball Mogul 2007 is king. In addition to the multitude of statistics, a fully flexible engine allows you to make all the calls pitch-by-pitch. The game is truly as real as it gets.

Customizable financial system

Featuring the most flexible financial system in any baseball simulation ever made, Basbeall Mogul 2007 lets you mirror existing intricacies or allows you to invent your own. The only restriction is your imagination.

Scouting and coaching staff at your disposal

All of the staff in your franchise have varying strengths, weaknesses, personalities and of course contract demands. Basbeall Mogul 2007 puts all of your management skills to the test; it’s in your hands!

Endless possibilities with historical and fictional leagues

Play the game with the real life setup of every major baseball league in the world and in addition, you can import every historical baseball season from 1900 to the present day. If that’s not enough simply create your own fictional baseball league.

Create or join an online league

Featuring a full online league mode, commissioners and multiple owners can battle it out against each other over the internet. Integrating seamlessly with FTP and HTML you can upload and download files and share them with friends.

Slick intuitive interface

Utilizing the technology and expertise of Sports Mogul, the game has a faster, smarter and slicker interface than ever before. What’s more, it’s fully skinable allowing you to change the game to suit your own personal tastes.

Sports Mogul Inc. is an electronic entertainment company that designs and develops computer-based General Manager sports simulations. The company's product line includes Baseball Mogul, Baseball Mogul Online, and Football Mogul. The Mogul series of games has received numerous accolades, including "Sports Game of the Year" from Computer Gaming World magazine and "Editor's Choice" from PC Gamer. Sports Mogul has a full-time staff of 2 and employs the services of more than 1,500 part-time researchers across the globe. The company's games have enjoyed an unparalleled history of commercial and critical success. Further information on the company and its games is available from the Sports Mogul website, www.sportsmogul.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 26, 2006 (BELLEVUE, WA) – ArenaNet®, developer of the award-winning online roleplaying game Guild Wars®, and NCsoft® Corporation, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, announce today that one of the year’s most-anticipated PC titles, Guild Wars Factions™, has officially shipped. For fans of the game that revolutionized online roleplaying, the wait is nearly over as Guild Wars Factions goes out today to retail stores worldwide.

Guild Wars Factions is the stand-alone follow-up to Guild Wars, the game that set new standards in online gaming with fresh design, innovative technology and no-subscription-fee pricing. With an expected retail price of $49.99, Guild Wars Factions will be available worldwide and servers supporting the new release will “go live” at 12:01 AM PDT /7:01 GMT on April 28, 2006.

Those who pre-ordered the game will be able to participate in the exclusive Guild Wars Factions Head Start Event beginning at 12:01 AM PDT/7:01 AM GMT on April 27, 2006. These lucky gamers will have access to the game for a total of 48 hours, including a full 24 hours before the game’s global release. During the first 24 hours of the Head Start Event, ArenaNet has planned an exclusive in-game event titled "Day of the Tengu," in which players will join one-day-only "Day of the Tengu" quests, and earn exclusive in-game rewards.

“New features in Guild Wars Factions such as guild scrimmages, alliance battles, ranked character titles, and some surprises still to come all resulted from our drive to create a truly unique gaming experience for existing and new fans of the Guild Wars universe,” says Mike O’Brien, co-founder of ArenaNet. “With a full year of development and a passionate design team, we think what we’ve created delivers on that and much, much more. Either played as a stand-alone game, or linked with your original Guild Wars account, Guild Wars Factions is a game we are thoroughly proud of—and still carries no subscription fee.”

Guild Wars Factions takes place on the Asian-inspired continent of Cantha, where players create a character from eight distinct professions—including the newly created Assassin and Ritualist—and join an epic quest that pits two warring factions, the Luxons and the Kurzicks, against an ancient evil, and against each other. As players become embroiled in this brutal war of conquest, new missions will provide both roleplaying fans and competitive PvP players the opportunity to help determine the fate of Cantha.

Guild Wars Factions is rated T for Teen. For more information, please visit www.guildwars.com

About ArenaNet
ArenaNet, located in Bellevue, Washington, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NCsoft Corporation. ArenaNet has built a state-of-the-art, interactive game network and develops premier multiplayer online games for dedicated game players. ArenaNet’s first title, Guild Wars, is a global online roleplaying game that allows gamers to play with anyone, anytime and anywhere in the world. Its highly anticipated follow up, Guild Wars Factions, will be released spring 2006. More information about ArenaNet can be found at www.arena.net.

About NCsoft Corporation

NCsoft North America is headquartered in Austin, Texas and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Korea-based NCsoft Corporation. NCsoft, with its own development and publishing offices in Texas and California, also works with other NCsoft subsidiaries and third party developers throughout North America to develop and publish innovative online entertainment software products. The company has successfully launched multiple online titles in the last three years and continues to support its AAA franchises that include Lineage®/Lineage II, City of Heroes®/City of Villains™, Guild Wars/Guild Wars Factions and Auto Assault®. More information about NCsoft can be found at http://www.plaync.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

EDISON, N.J., April 25, 2006 – Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL) announced today that Guilty Gear Dust Strikers for Nintendo DS™ has shipped nationwide. Developed by ARC System Works, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers features 21 franchise characters battling it out in vertical brawls that span both game screens.

“Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is designed to take advantage of the DS’ unique dual screen layout and touch screen mechanic,” said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing for Majesco. “As the first series offering for Nintendo DS™, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers will appeal to core franchise fans and portable gamers looking for a deep fighting experience they can enjoy with friends.”

Sol Badguy, Potemkin, I-No and Dizzy, along with 17 other character favorites return in Guilty Gear Dust Strikers. Players who master seven touch screen mini-games can unlock combo moves they can use to customize their character in the Robo-Ky Factory. In addition, up to four players can compete in wireless multi-player games where the last man standing wins.

Rated ‘T’ for Teen, Guilty Gear Dust Strikers is available exclusively for Nintendo DS™ for a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information, please visit www.guiltygeards.com.

About Majesco Entertainment Company

Headquartered in Edison, NJ, Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL) is an innovative provider of digital entertainment products and content, with a focus on publishing videogames for leading portable systems such as the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) system, Nintendo DS™ and Game Boy® Advance. Current product line highlights include Age of Empires: The Age of Kings® for the Nintendo DS™, Guilty Gear Judgment for the PSP™ (PlayStation® Portable) system and JAWS™ Unleashed, as well as digital entertainment products like Frogger® TV Arcade. Majesco now offers Game Boy® Advance Video versions of the beloved DreamWorks Animation movies Shrek, Shrek 2 and Shark Tale. More information about Majesco can be found online at www.majescoentertainment.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 26, 2006 – Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced its participation at this year’s AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) Convention. With its groundbreaking game series, Dance Dance Revolution® (DDR), Konami has created a fun and healthy way for children and adults to become more active and realize the benefits of physical activity. DDR will be prominently featured at the 2006 AAHPERD trade show (booth # 1634). This year’s AAHPERD convention is scheduled to be held from April 26th through April 28th at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The AAHPERD convention is one of the largest gatherings of health and physical educators in the nation.

Throughout the convention, Konami will be instructing our nation’s physical education teachers on the associated health benefits of DDR and ways to incorporate the game into their Physical Education curriculum. The company will highlight its recently signed three-year partnership with the State of West Virginia that brings DDR into the physical education or health related curriculum based programs in all of the state’s 765 K-12 public schools. Additionally, Konami will discuss other case studies from across the country of how teachers have incorporated DDR into their PE curriculum, as well as success stories about people who have found health benefits from using DDR.

Complete with a special dance pad that plugs directly into the Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft or the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, DDR delivers a healthy workout to people of all ages. For those ready to take their exercise experience to an even greater level, DDR comes with a built-in workout mode that allows players to track how many calories they burn as they play. At the booth, Konami will encourage convention visitors to show off their moves on DDR and even compete with others to win their very own copy of the game.

In addition to the activities at the booth, Konami is also sponsoring a NASPE (National Association for Sports and Physical Education) seminar entitled “Interactive Video Games in K-12.” Moderated by Josh M. Trout of California State University, Chico, the seminar will discuss how new interactive video games can actually help increase physical activity levels as well as help students learn about the physiological functions of their bodies.

“DDR has been proven to be an extremely effective way of promoting weight loss among today’s young people and the game fits in perfectly as part of the physical education curriculum in our nation’s schools,” said Clara Gilbert, Director of Business Partnerships, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. “DDR is one of the most innovative video game concepts ever, and it is a fun and entertaining way for kids and adults to develop healthy habits and a fitness-oriented lifestyle.”

Konami will be exhibiting its newest iteration of the game, Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 for Xbox, at the AAHPERD show in booth # 1634. Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 is rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older by the ESRB and is available for an SRP of $39.99 for the standalone video game and $64.99 for the dance mat and video game bundle. To learn more about Dance Dance Revolution ULTRAMIX3 and the DDR franchise, please go to: www.konami.com/gs

About Konami
Konami is a leading developer, publisher and manufacturer of electronic entertainment properties. Konami’s titles include the popular franchises Metal Gear Solid®, Silent Hill® and Castlevania®, among other top sellers. The latest information about Konami can be found on the Web at www.konami.com. Konami Corporation is a publicly traded company based in Tokyo, Japan with subsidiary offices, Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. in the United States and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in Frankfurt, Germany. Konami Corporation, the parent company of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. is traded in the United States on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol KNM. Details of the products published by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. can be found at www.konami.com/gs

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out the blog at http://www.easports.com/madden07/index.jsp as expected top draft pick Matt Leinart takes us through his week leading up to the 2006 NFL Draft. How is he preparing for the draft? Where will he be selected? How hectic is his schedule leading up to the event? Find out the answers to these and more, as Leinart takes us behind the scenes of the NFL Draft from the point of a view of a top-five pick.

In addition, check out Madden07.com during the NFL Draft on April 29th to see Madden NFL 07 screenshots of the first round draft picks in their new NFL uniforms!

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The epic battle between technology and magic is about to begin – “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” for Windows has gone gold and is in position to ambush North American retail stores on May 9.

“Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” morphs the real-time strategy (RTS) genre into the fantasy space, allowing gamers to rampage through towering cities, flame-swept deserts and brutal ice plains in battles filled with mystic creatures, fantastic machines and stunning acts of magic.

The RTS gameplay of “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” has been improved for a more rewarding experience – gamers have the choice of drawing out battles for multiple hours for the classic RTS feel or focusing on shorter, 20-minute, campaigns.

As the second installment of the “Rise of Nations” franchise, “Rise of Legends” also extends the gaming experience using a 3-D engine with dynamic lighting, deformable terrain, destructible buildings, ground-rattling earthquakes and massive armies locked in enormous strategic battles. “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” combines cutting-edge, industry-leading technology with awe-inspiring art design to create environments unlike anything ever seen.

Developed by Big Huge Games, “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” continues the innovative gameplay tradition established by the critically acclaimed and best-selling, “Rise of Nations,” the best-selling RTS released in 2003 that garnered numerous Game of the Year awards, including GameSpot’s Best PC Game of 2003 and PC Gamer’s Best RTS of 2003.

In addition to being able to lead vast fantasy armies into strategic battles, “Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends” introduces a host of gameplay innovations that are unique to the RTS genre. Additionally, the popular Conquer the World (CTW) Campaign returns with fresh concepts that make each strategic decision critical to eventual victory over a constantly adapting enemy. The revamped and improved CTW Campaign immerses players in a land of magical armies and never before seen technologies in an epic battle to save the world against an ominous evil force.

About Big Huge Games

Big Huge Games was founded in February 2000 by four veteran game developers: Tim Train, David Inscore, Jason Coleman and Brian Reynolds. These founding partners, who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as “Civilization II®,” “Colonization®” and “Alpha Centauri®,” share a common vision that they believe will enable them to surpass even these outstanding achievements.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360™ video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®;” Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo®,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®” and “Forza Motorsport™”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (April 25, 2006) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that the next installment of its top-selling Ace Combat franchise, Ace Combat Zero™: The Belkan War for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system flies onto store shelves today.

“Ace Combat Zero’s elite new features such as the innovative Ace style gauge system where the game changes based on the player’s style, and its increased wingman command, all help to meld Ace Combat Zero into the best yet in the series,” said Yoshi Niki, NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.’s Business Unit Director. “We are thrilled to have this superior action title hit stores today.”

A prequel to Ace Combat™ 5: The Unsung War, Ace Combat Zero takes players 15 years into the past and enmeshes them in the turbulent events that led to the Belkan War. Players assume the role of a mercenary pilot hired to fly for Ustio, a small country invaded by its militaristic neighbor Belka. Flying authentic licensed aircrafts such as the F-15 Eagle or F/A-18 Hornet, players fly through 18 realistic missions as they face off against combat-hardened pilots.

Exciting features of Ace Combat Zero include:

§ Advanced AI Changes the Action: Innovative Ace Style Gauge System factors the player’s style of flying and changes different facets of the game accordingly.

§ Personalized Communications: Linked with the Ace Style Gauge System, the Radio Transmission System changes radio communications in real-time according to a player’s reputation. In-game messages from allies and opponents acknowledge the skill level of the player.

§ Individualized Enemy Pilots: Brand new to the series, rival ace pilots give players a run for their money with individual flying styles and tactics that require players to elevate their skills to new heights.

§ Enhanced Wingman Command: Wingman commands are now more advanced than ever as players coordinate battle tactics with their wingman.

§ Retrospective Interviews: Cut-scene interviews of rival pilots comment on their encounters with the player, providing an in depth look into the enemy’s tactical mindset.

§ VS Mode: Players dog-fight in head-to-head action against their friends to prove who is the true Ace in the group.

Fly high with Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as it hits store shelves nationwide today. For more action-packed screens and inside information on the game check out the NAMCO BANDAI Games official site at www.namcobandaigames.com

About NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. is an interactive entertainment software publisher and developer based in Santa Clara, CA. The company is a subsidiary of the newly formed NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc. based in Cypress, CA.

On September 29, 2005, Bandai Co., Ltd. and NAMCO LIMITED implemented a management integration to form NAMCO BANDAI Holdings Inc. This step was taken to compete more effectively on the global stage in the fast-changing entertainment industry and to deliver further growth.

The resulting BANDAI NAMCO Group is a global entertainment group involved in business fields ranging from toys, amusement facilities, video game software and visual software, to apparel, sundries and network content.

As previous separate entities (Namco Hometek Inc. and Bandai Games Inc.) the companies were each known for creating some of the industry’s top video game franchises including: Tamagotchi®, Tekken®, SOULCALIBUR®, Dead to Rights®, Pac-Man® World™, Digimon®, Ridge Racer®, Time Crisis® and ACECOMBAT®. For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. and its products log onto www.namcobandaigames.com.

Press Release © 2006 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Francisco, CA - April 25, 2006 - Three Rings Design, Inc., a premier developer of multiplayer online casual games, announced today that the public beta for "Bang! Howdy," a multiplayer online tactical strategy game for the PC, will commence in May 2006. Players face off in the steam-powered Wild West, using casual strategy game mechanics in a variety of gameplay modes like Claim Jumping, Cattle Herding and Steam Mustang Hockey!

This follows upon the company's success with "Puzzle Pirates," an internationally acclaimed massively multiplayer online game that TIME Magazine called "addictive." Like "Puzzle Pirates," "Bang! Howdy" will be distributed online and will be free to play, with optional purchase of micro-currency to obtain upgrades and additional content.

"The 'free to play, pay for items' business model has proven very successful in the Korean market with games like 'Kart Rider.' And we have seen similar success with our recent strategic shift to its implementation within 'Puzzle Pirates' which is approaching sales of over five million Doubloons," said Daniel James, Three Rings' CEO.

"Bang! Howdy" is a hybrid between turn-based and real-time strategy gameplay, and is played in short fast-paced rounds. As the player progresses through five unique Wild West settings, new units, gameplay scenarios, arenas, customizations and game features are introduced. Players can customize their in-game avatars with a wide array of Western clothing and accessories.

"We've had all hands and the cook at work down here at the Triple-O ranch,"said Michael Bayne, project lead for "Bang! Howdy" and Three Rings' CTO. "We're pleased as punch to be able to show y'all our new product and mighty excited for ya to get yer hands on it."

Powerful trends in digital entertainment - the popularity of casual games, a move towards the massively multiplayer, and the ascent of digital downloads - have been driving forces for Three Rings. The Company recently became cash-flow positive and funds the distribution and development of its games internally.

Y'all mosey on down to http://www.banghowdy.com for more information and we look forward to testing your mettle in our public beta.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 12:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Jose, CA – April 25, 2006 – Niko Partners, a leading research and consultancy firm on the Chinese gaming market, today announced results from its latest report showing impressive growth for the Chinese videogame market in 2005. According to Niko’s fourth annual report on the market, 29 percent of China’s 27 million gamers played games more than 60 hours per month, which helped contribute to a 23.6 percent growth rate in China’s videogame market from 2004 to 2005. The Chinese market, of which 84 percent is comprised of online games, now stands at $683 million. The market is forecast to enjoy a compound annual growth rate of 24 percent for the period 2005-2010, climbing to $2.1 billion.

“Chinese gamers’ passion for massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) has extended to the casual and premium casual segments,” said Lisa Cosmas Hanson, managing partner of Niko Partners. “Premium casual games provide new gamers greater access to the online game market and open up an alternate source of entertainment for hardcore gamers.” Niko Partners projects that premium casual games will gain in popularity comparable to MMORPGs over the next several years, achieving 40 percent of all online revenue by 2010.

Other key findings related to overall China videogame market growth
include:

• Internet Cafés: Gamers access the online gaming universe an average of 4 hours per day through the estimated 20 million PCs in China’s 265,000 officially licensed and unlicensed Internet cafés, almost all of which have broadband access and regularly maintained PCs.

• Adoption of Broadband in Homes: One factor contributing to the rise in gamers is faster adoption of broadband in homes, which enabled more gamers to access online games.

• Increase in Casual Gaming: Casual games, including puzzle, board and advanced casual games, comprised 20 percent of the online market in 2005 and should rise to nearly 40 percent in 2010.

• Hard-Core Gamers: 29 percent of all gamers were classified as hardcore in 2005, up from 20 percent in 2004. The definition is based on more than 60 hours of online game play per month.

Social and Cultural Preferences

There are different preferences held by gamers in China, Niko Partners reports. In particular, gamers enjoy softer graphics and brighter colors of the games. Socializing and competing with friends while gaming are primary factors in the popularity of Internet cafés. When next-generation consoles legally launch in China in the next 1-2 years, their online functionality will allow gamers to continue these social and competitive aspects.

“Not only is it imperative for a foreign videogame company to understand the preferences and demands of Chinese gamers, they must also strive to develop games that fit the restrictive regulations of the Chinese government,” continued Ms. Hanson. “The Chinese market is different than other global markets, and it will take perseverance as well as innovation in business models for foreign companies to succeed there.”

The 2006 Chinese Videogame Market Study by Niko Partners is a comprehensive review and forecast of the 2005-2010 Online, PC, Console and Handheld games market. It was written based on more than 36,000 points of data collected by Niko Partners in 10 Chinese cities.

ABOUT NIKO PARTNERS
Niko Partners was founded in 2001 as an international business expansion consulting services firm for the multimedia software industry. Since 2003, we have conducted and published primary market research on the China digital entertainment market, both in the form of syndicated reports and as custom research studies. We also execute market-entry strategy projects using research and our extensive Niko Network of associates throughout China. The goal of the research and strategic advisory services is to help digital entertainment industry clients understand the market, strategically enter or expand market share, and continue to profitably grow within China. The company is based in Silicon Valley, Shanghai and Beijing.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Francisco, CA (April 21, 2006) -- Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announced that URBAN CHAOS: Riot Response will be released in North America on June 13, 2006 on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

Developed by London-based Rocksteady Studios, URBAN CHAOS: Riot Response gives gamers the opportunity to step into the shoes of a real urban superhero. Play as Nick Mason, an ex-US marine and leading member of T-Zero - an elite police counter-gang unit. Specially trained in all areas of urban combat and armed with the very latest high-tech weaponry, T-Zero – the last line in urban defense - teams-up with Emergency Services groups including firefighters, paramedics and police to save the city and combat multiple threats including bombings and hostage scenarios.

“URBAN CHAOS is one of the most anticipated games of 2006 and offers a unique experience right at the heart of a full scale riot,” said Helen Clark, Brand Manager, “for fans of the FPS genre, this will be a highly original and intense challenge.”

URBAN CHAOS: Riot Response offers gamers the latest in gaming advancements including realistic and dynamic city environments where all sorts of extreme action takes place, progressive fire effect technology and fully interactive environments, using Havok 3 technology. Players can utilize members of the Emergency Services to progress through levels and save civilians and partner with the riot shield and use it as a weapon or for protection. In hostage scenarios, gamers go head to head with a twisted enemy to save innocent bystanders. Players are tasked to be the hero the city needs... don’t back down in the face of true Urban Chaos!

To download the new Trailer, please visit: http://www.eidosinteractive.com/downloads/search.html?gmid=162.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 20, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that NFL MVP and NFC Champion running back Shaun Alexander will appear on the cover of Madden NFL 07, the newest iteration of the EA SPORTS™ best-selling football franchise with the official videogame license of the NFL and its players. With this year’s focus on the running game, Alexander is the perfect representative for the cover of the most popular football videogame franchise. Last year Madden NFL 06 sold more than six million copies.

“To be on the cover of Madden NFL 07 is a big milestone in my career since I have always been a huge fan of this franchise,” said Alexander. “EA SPORTS is focusing on the running game in this year’s version, so I was honored when I was chosen to be on the cover to represent the improved running game.”

Alexander, who was named the NFL MVP and selected for his third consecutive Pro Bowl this past season, is the hottest running back in the NFL. He has rushed for over 1,150 yards in each of the last five seasons. As the most valuable player in the NFL he rushed for a league-high 1,880 yards and 27 touchdowns on 370 carries. He also caught 15 passes for 78 yards and one touchdown, scoring an NFL-record 28 touchdowns, setting a new single-season rushing touchdown record. In addition, he extended his NFL-record number of seasons with at least 15 touchdowns to five. During the season Alexander became the Seahawks career leader in rushing yards (7,817) attempts (1,717) and 100-yard games (33).

Coming into its 17th year and with more than 51 million copies sold, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon Madden NFL 07 will be available in August on Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, PC, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and Game Boy® Advance. For more information check out www.madden07.com.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Francisco, CA (April 20, 2006) -- Eidos Interactive, one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, today announces a new website for its urban superhero action game Urban Chaos: Riot Response.

Visit the site and tune in to Channel 7, the up-to-the-minute news station at the centre of the action in Eidos’ new high velocity shooter, Urban Chaos: Riot Response. Fronted by intrepid news reporter Lani York, Channel 7 offers a stylized and a fully interactive news service featuring studio news desk feeds and live at-the-scene reporting. Find full detailed briefs and videos on each member of the Emergency Service Team in the Technology today section as well as a complete de-brief on the elite counter-gang unit T-Zero – the last line of urban defense. The new site also offers the Lonely Hearts Club that ensures you always find the perfect match online and never face inferior opposition and all the extras you’ve come to expect including downloadable screenshots, videos, trailers, wallpapers, and email tags.

Urban Chaos: Riot Response lets you fight alongside the brave men and women of law enforcement, the fire department, and Emergency Medical services to take the city back by any means necessary. Play as Nick Mason, a hometown hero and key member of T-Zero, the elite counter-gang unit. Specially trained in all areas of urban combat and armed with the very latest high-tech weaponry, T-Zero is all that stands in the way of total anarchy. The city needs a superhero – and that’s you.

URBAN CHAOS: Riot Response will be available in Spring 2006.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

REDMOND, Wash., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintendo and AOL.com are in hot pursuit to pick one lucky video game fan to fly to Los Angeles to be the first in the world to play Nintendo's next home console, code-named Revolution.
After signing up at www.aol.com/nintendo-first-to-play, three finalists for Nintendo's First-to-Play Sweepstakes will attend Nintendo's international media briefing on May 9 prior to the start of the Electronics Entertainment Expo, the most important video game industry event of the year. The winner will appear on stage to experience the new console in front of thousands of top industry insiders and reporters.
"No consumer has ever played this new Nintendo system before," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "But more importantly, no one has ever interacted with video games in this way before. Our next home console will revolutionize how people play and experience video games."
The new Nintendo console will open the world of video games to new audiences through the use of its innovative controller. Shaped like a remote control, it allows users to direct the action on the television screen through the motion of the controller itself.
"As one of the leading game destinations on the Web, we are thrilled to partner with Nintendo to give our AOL Games community the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the very first person to play the highly anticipated Revolution console," said Ralph Rivera, Vice President & General Manager, AOL Games.

People can enter the sweepstakes between April 21 and April 28 by registering at www.aol.com/nintendo-first-to-play. Entrants do not need to be members of AOL. Three finalists chosen at random will fly with one guest each for a two-night stay in Los Angeles. The three finalists will enjoy VIP seating at Nintendo's media briefing in Hollywood at the Kodak Theatre, home to the Oscars. One of the finalists will be selected at random to step onto the stage and usher in the new era of video games. Entrants must be 18 or older. For more information about Nintendo's First to Play Sweepstakes, visit www.aol.com/nintendo-first-to-play.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

San Francisco, CA - April 21, 2006 - Three Rings Design, Inc., a premier developer of multi-player online casual games, announced today that it will give away a 1787 Spanish Gold Escudo Doubloon, rescued from pirate loot, to the player that purchases the five millionth doubloon for their popular online game "Puzzle Pirates."

The company expects to reach the five millionth sale mark later this week and will announce the winner shortly after. In light of some strong market trends, the company recently shifted its strategy from subscription pricing to a "free-to-play" model that includes the option of purchasing micro-currency. Players can then spend their micro-currency on in-game upgrades and additional content.

The sale of five million doubloons is an important milestone for the company and points to the broad acceptance of that model. In fact, the company is launching a new game "Bang! Howdy," a multiplayer online tactical strategy game for the PC which uses the same payment structure and online distribution model.

"Three Rings has led the charge for micro-currency in the US market, and the success of 'Puzzle Pirates' doubloons has convinced us that it represents the future for online entertainment," said Daniel James, Three Rings' CEO. "We were inspired by the Korean market, where 'free to play, pay for item' is the ubiquitous business model for online games. As the US market matures to meet Korea, we intend to keep leading the way."

The company is riding some powerful trends in digital entertainment - the popularity of casual games, a move towards the massively multiplayer, and the ascent of digital downloads. With the shift to "freemium" pricing, the company recently became cash-flow positive and funds the distribution and development of its games internally. To date, over 1.5mm individuals have downloaded Puzzle Pirates.

To learn more about Three Rings and or Puzzle Pirates, please visit their site at: http://www.puzzlepirates.com for more information.

About Three Rings
Three Rings is a premier developer of multi-player online casual games.Since launching "Puzzle Pirates" to international acclaim in 2004, the company has quickly become one of the most popular and well-respected makers of online games. The games are free to play and have virtual economies with unique micro-currencies. The company's games are currently played in more than 50 countries. More information on Three Rings can be found at http://threerings.net/ and "Puzzle Pirates" can be found at
http://www.PuzzlePirates.com/

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since the very first onscreen pixel, fans have dreamed of creating their own original art designs for their favorite video game characters. Now Microsoft Game Studios and Rare Ltd are giving Xbox 360 fans a chance to unleash their inner artist and make the dream a reality with the “Kameo: Elements of Power Design Your Skin Contest.”

From April 19 to May 24, 2006, aspiring artists can visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/k/kameo/designskincontest.htm to get more information and electronically submit a unique, originally designed “skin” of one of the elemental warriors or Kameo herself from “Kameo: Elements of Power.” Designers will enter for a chance to have the whole world play their designs when they are made publicly available at a later time.

The contest is open to aspiring artists 13 years of age or older. Entries must consist of an original design of either Kameo or one of the elemental warriors, a title (example: “Roller Ninja Pummelweed”) and a brief description. Finalists will be judged by a panel of Xbox and Rare team members on the basis of creativity and feasibility for the team to reproduce as downloadable content. One winner for Kameo and each of her warriors will be chosen for a total of 11 winning entries. For a complete set of rules, please visit http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/k/kameo/designskincontest.htm.

From renowned game developer Rare, "Kameo: Elements of Power," grants players the ability to morph into unique and incredible warriors allowing the main character Kameo to search out and battle ever-present evil. Boasting impeccable next-generation graphics and innovative gameplay, "Kameo: Elements of Power" shines as a giant leap in game development. Continuing its legacy of creating dynamic puzzles, immersive combat and enormous environments, Rare fuses multiple genres to create a strikingly fun gaming experience destined for widespread appeal. For up-to-date information on "Kameo: Elements of Power," visit the official expanded site at http://www.kameo.com.

About Rare

United Kingdom-based Rare, one of the world’s leading video game developers, was founded in 1985 by Chris and Tim Stamper. Rare has been the mastermind behind some of the most popular video games in history, including such global multimillion sellers as GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark.

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360™ video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®;” Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as the upcoming “Gears of War” and franchises such as “Halo®,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®” and “Forza Motorsport™”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as “Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 20, 2006 – The Adventure Company, a leading publisher of PC adventure games is pleased to announce Safecracker, a unique puzzle adventure game with 35 unique safes to crack.

Storyline:

You are hired by the wealthy family of a recently deceased billionaire to search for the last will and testament of their late relative, Duncan Walter Adams, who was “eccentric” to say the least. He has hidden the deed to his riches in one of the safes scattered in his magnificent mansion. The deceased billionaire also happened to be an avid safe collector and you have been hired to crack all 35 of them! The stakes are high and the clues are scarce. You will need your experience, wits, deductive reasoning and puzzle solving skills to earn your pay check.

Features:

· A challenging puzzle adventure game with 35 unique safes to crack

· Explore 40 lavish and intriguing rooms of an extravagant mansion created in great detail

· Decipher unexpected clues inside each safe that will help you open the others ultimately leading you to the master safe

· The ultimate challenge for puzzle enthusiasts and wanna-be safecrackers

· From the developers of Return to Mysterious Island

Safecracker is scheduled for release in the Fall of 2006 with an anticipated ESRB rating of ‘E’ for Everyone and PEGI rating of 3+

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rogue Trooper, the upcoming third person sci-fi action shooter game based off of the popular comic book series from 2000 AD, puts you in the shoes of the last survivor of the Genetic Infantrymen who were set up and brutally massacred. Rogue sets off alone on a mission for revenge as he fights his way through platoons of soldiers to search for the traitor responsible for the death of his comrades. Though alone on the battlefield, the bio-chips containing the genetic information of his fallen comrades Gunnar, Bagman and Helm, have been implanted in his gear, which allows their personalities and abilities to come to life a second time.

Download the new video now at: http://www.eidosinteractive.com/downloads/search.html?gmid=161!

The latest gameplay video released for Rogue Trooper puts Gunnar in the spotlight, showcasing the abilities that he is more than willing to bring to the fight. In addition to the variety of upgradeable weaponry add-ons and assisted targeting abilities, Rogue is also able to set Gunnar down as a turret, allowing Gunnar to target enemies on his own. This unique ability is perfect for setting up ambushes or providing cover fire for Rogue as he moves to a more strategic position, adding a new element of strategy and tactics uncommon in normal action games.

Posted by Matt Sarrel at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Free Demo for Baseball Mogul 2007 is now available at http://downloads.sportsmogul.com/demo/Baseball-Mogul-2007-Demo-Setup-v916.exe.

Baseball Mogul 2006 Features:

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NEW Animated Play-By-Play! All-new in-game Manager Mode lets you call plays and make substitutions as if you were in the dugout. Or retire to the owner's box and let your coaches and players control the action. It's up to you!
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NEW Pitch-By-Pitch Mode! Fully interactive pitch-by-pitch mode puts you in complete control of the game. New graphical batting and pitching interface gives you pinpoint control over each pitch. Brush back the batter with an inside fastball, then put him away with a splitter in the dirt.
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NEW Custom Pitcher Database! Sports Mogul unveils a 30,000 line database with data for over 1,200 pitchers that you can't find anywhere else. Includes individually researched ratings for every pitch in each pitcher's arsenal, going back to 1901. From Gaylord Perry's spitball to Daisuke Matsuzaka's "Gyroball", Baseball Mogul 2007 is the most complete baseball simulation you can buy.
* NEW Lefty-Righty Stats! Baseball Mogul 2007 tracks every match-up. Whether you are pinch-hitting in the 9th or trading for someone to platoon with your left-handed outfielder, Baseball Mogul 2007 puts all the data at your fingertips. Every scouting report includes lefty/righty splits, plus a skill breakdown against each type of pitcher (or hitter).

* NEW "Live Coverage"! New play settings let you "cut to the action" in the middle of games. You choose the situations (such as a tight game against a division rival) and Baseball Mogul lets you switch over to Play-By-Play Mode with one click.

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NEW "Tradezilla" Redesigned aritificial intelligence built with evolutionary algorithms. Smarter computer opponents and 'Trading Block' features give you the same challenges as a major league General Manager.

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NEW Batter Rating System! Travis Hafner's ability to get around on the game's best fastballs. Manny Ramirez feasting on curveballs. Baseball Mogul 2007 features new scouting data for every better to create maximum realism and strategy.

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NEW Minor League Simulation Engine! Every pitch from AAA to High School is realistically simulated for the entire league. New research for this year includes improved player development and aging algorithms. A "career graph" for every player tracking their major-league equivalent progress from draft-day until retirement.

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NEW 11-Point Personality Profiles for every player and every team. Each profile affects contract negotiations. And, as an optional setting, personalities can impact on-field performance and team chemistry.
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NEW 2006 Rosters! Off-season moves, free agent signings and trades. Detailed career stats, ratings, contracts and projections as of Opening Day. Plus personalized data for over 1,500 minor leaguers. Free updated rosters available during the season.
* NEW Roster Tools! Baseball Mogul 2007 includes new tools for creating, editing and tweaking your own custom rosters. Cut-and-paste players from any season. Add players from your favorite college and high school teams. Mogul makes it easy to customize your baseball universe to run a league or just to share with friends.

* Exclusive Licensee of the Sean Lahman Baseball Database! Includes more than 10,000 playe