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Today's Press Releases PC Games: Mob Ties Moscow E.V.E. Digital has started development on a sequel to their PC game “Mob Ties Tokyo”. The sequel to be titled “Mob Ties Moscow” is expected to be released by the two-person development team, Chance Miller & Jillian Fontaine, in early 2010. “Since our first “Mob Ties” game launched in early March, we have been getting an enormous amount of positive feedback from the gaming community.” Chance says. “One of the top comments we receive from people who have played the game is how they love the “retro” feel of it.” The original game was made on a tiny indie budget, so having the graphics level of a high-end multi-million dollar title was not an option for the developers, who intend to keep the retro style going in their next game. “In the end, it all worked out really well.” Jillian adds. “Many gamers have said online that the novelty of high-end, expensive “eye candy” wears off after the first level. What matters most to PC game players is a great storyline, character interaction and exciting game play.” With the sequel, the team plans to continue the same successful formula of combining an immersive storyline with non-stop “shoot ‘em up” action. “Mob Ties Tokyo” is currently available at www.MobTiesGame.com - The Whispered World Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, and Daedalic Entertainment will publish the adventure game The Whispered World in 18 European territories. German-speaking territories will see the PC game released in a lavish edition come end of May, with other territories, among them France, UK, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Scandinavian countries to follow later this year. The beautiful adventure game The Whispered World whisks the player away to a fascinating fantasy world. Sadwick is a young clown but often far from cheerful. One night, a strange blue creature speaks to him in a dream, and sends him on an adventurous journey. Many dangers await Sadwick, for the world he knows is doomed to crumble and fall. “There is no better partner for publishing and distribution in the adventure genre than Koch and Deep Silver, so we are very happy about extending our collaboration. Together with A New Beginning, The Whispered World is the adventure gaming highlight of 2009 and has many players waiting on the edge of their seats“, commented Carsten Fichtelmann, Managing Director of Daedalic Entertainment. “We are very happy about expanding our cooperation with Daedalic Entertainment to The Whispered World. The intricately detailed graphics and the eventful adventures of Sadwick in this animate and lovingly crafted fantasy world are sure to capture adventure gamer hearts worldwide”, commented Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media, on the collaboration. In classic point & click tradition, gamers steer Sadwick and his companion Spot through the game. Little Spot never leaves Sadwick’s side and is integral to solving many puzzles. He can take on many different forms throughout the game, which the player can pick and choose at will, once they have been learned. Hand-painted backgrounds filled with animated details and lovingly crafted characters in the style of classic animated movies like „Spirited Away” bring the story to life. The Whispered World mixes fairy-tale elements with melancholic tones to create a tale of epic proportions. - Death to Spies: Moment of Truth Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company is pleased to announce the development of a sequel to the popular stealth-action Death to Spies titled Death to Spies: Moment of Truth. The game's main character is Semion Strogov, Captain of the 4th department of the Soviet counterintelligence service called SMERSH. SMERSH literally means in Russian Death to Spies, which was the name for a set of counterintelligence departments in the Soviet Army formed during World War II. Strogov is back from his previous missions and must now participate in a series of even more complicated and exciting military operations under the code name Death to Spies: Moment of Truth. The hero possesses all the skills required to accomplish especially dangerous missions including, getting information about the disposition of hostile military and civil units, assassination of enemy agents and representatives of Wehrmacht’s high-ranking officers and espionage. By the order of his supreme commander Strogov, who passed through a serious retraining, will have to accomplish various top secret missions. His task is to capture spies, saboteurs and gather information about their actions using unique technologies and devices. Death to Spies: Moment of Truth is scheduled for a Q3 2009 release. - Dark Fall: Lost Souls English game developers, Darkling Room, officially announce production of a third Dark Fall game, titled Dark Fall: Lost Souls. The horror/adventure is written, once again, by series creator, Jonathan Boakes, the writer of The Lost Crown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure. “It’s a guilty pleasure to drag gamers, kicking and screaming, back to the creepy train station and hotel, seen in the first Dark Fall game. It’s a desolate, derelict, dark location, in which disappearances and strange events are commonplace” says Jonathan, “This next instalment, known as Lost Souls, is going to offer up the creepiest atmosphere of the series... be warned, that old hotel knows your name, and is waiting for you this time round. Your room is prepared and ready.” About Lost Souls: You have unfinished business with the dead. Return to the Train Station and Hotel at Dowerton for a second time; there is a new mystery to solve, and new horrors to face. The old buildings have deteriorated since your last perilous adventure, so you must watch your step, and never turn your back on the darkness...for something hides there; Something evil, unknowable and hungry. • A brand new Dark Fall horror adventure. • From the pen of Jonathan Boakes, author of The Lost Crown. • Explore a derelict train station & hotel, abandoned since World War 2. • A new game engine allows full exploration and movement. • Physically interact with the eerie setting, to really ‘feel’ the place. • Use light as your weapon and ally, to fight the darkness. • Use Detective skills to solve an urban mystery. • A hauntingly creepy stereo score that will chill and terrify. • Explore the memories of the dead, in their own ‘nightmares’. • Discover the true identity, and power behind, the Dark Fall itself. The dead of Dowerton are the least of your problems, as you are stalked from one derelict room to the next, by the Dark Fall itself. It wants your soul; to feed upon, devour and torture. You must make the ghosts of the hotel your ally, through any means you can. For it is only through successful exorcisms that you will gain the strength to battle the darkness that lurks in that long forgotten, abandoned place. Original Dark Fall Games re-released: To coincide with the news of a third Dark Fall entering production, Darkling Room is excited to offer the original Dark Fall Games (Dark Fall and Lights Out) in brand new editions, Dark Fall: Classic Edition & Lights Out: Directors Cut. The new versions are available from the official website as both Direct Download and a new ‘Pins & Needles’ Limited Edition on DVD with a bonus CD Dark Fall Soundtrack, shipped free to anywhere in the world. About the new versions: The classic Edition is an updated version of the first Dark Fall game, which is optimised for Windows XP®, and Windows Vista®. The actual gameplay remains almost the same, with new sounds and a few technical tweaks to improve gameplay. However, the new Directors Cut of ‘Lights Out’ has been massively updated to include new scenes, revamped puzzles, a new musical score and many ‘ghost’ events to send a chill up the gamers spine. You can now converse with the dead, who have many dark secrets to tell. The games are available individually, or as a double pack for Digital Download and Physical Shipment (boxed copies direct from the author to your door!) with FREE world-wide packing and postage. “It’s been great to introduce Darkling Room to self-publishing, which I found an enjoyable and successful enterprise back in 2001.” says Jonathan Boakes, series creator, “They were puzzled as to why anyone would want to do the whole process themselves, from making the games, packing them up and then posting to all corners of the globe. But, once the design process started they realised that self-publishing offers developers a chance to connect directly with the gamer, and design something truly unique and hand crafted”. Also released are the new Dark Fall and Lights Out ‘Companion’ guides, which extend the gameplay, offering extra clues, and a complete walkthrough, A Guide to Conversations With The Dead and a list of where to see supernatural activity throughout both games is also included, as well as many extras. “The ‘Companion’ guides are not just a ‘walkthrough’; I’ve spent time going through the games, noting Easter Eggs, secret areas and compiling background information about why and how the games came about” says Jonathan, “The Lights Out Companion, in particular, has whole chapters devoted to the creepy old Lighthouse, and the mystery which surrounds it. They are well worth getting hold of, via the website, is you want to get the most from your Dark Fall experience”. Release Dates: The Dark Fall Collection ‘Pins & Needles’ Edition, Dark Fall: Classic Edition and Lights Out: Directors Cut are available now, from the official website. The Companion Guides are available now, from the official website. Dark Fall: Lost Souls will be completed in the Summer, and available shortly afterwards. DS Games: Music Learn how to read and play music in 21 lessons! In 21 lessons you will: - Work on your musical ear - For example, identify the different kinds of sounds - Study music theory - Learn the chords on a piano and/or on a guitar Test yourself on what you’ve learned by playing the quick tests after each lesson. >> Learning to play music is now possible on your Nintendo DS! << Watch the trailer on the official MUSIC DS homepage: www.music-thegame.com
Wii Games: Rock Band Harmonix and MTV Games announced today 12 new tracks coming this week to the Rock Band® Music Store catalogue of downloadable content for Wii™ home videogame console from Nintendo, including eight more tracks from classic rock band The Who! The lineup also features music from alternative music pioneers R.E.M. and The Offspring, as well as a track from British guitarist and songwriter Richard Thompson. - Water Warfare Wii™ owners will have a new way to beat the heat this summer as Hudson Entertainment splashes up Water Warfare, a “first person soaker” videogame, exclusively downloadable for WiiWare™. The family-friendly “soaker” is set to be published by Hudson Entertainment, the North and South American publishing arm of HUDSON SOFT. The game has been rated E10+ for Everybody 10+ by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). “Water Warfare is the perfect summer videogame to beat the heat.” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “It’s easy to download and play this ‘first person soaker’ – just get your squirt gun ready and go for it!” In Water Warfare, players go head to head or team up as they run around playgrounds and beaches to drench each other with squirt guns. They’ll be able to protect themselves with, what else, raincoats, towels and more. There are other items, like the umbrella, which can attack and defend at the same time! With different types of squirt guns, pick-up items, offline and eight player online multiplayer, there’s tons of squirt gun fun to be had. Throughout the game, players use the Nunchuk™ to control movement, aim using the Wii Remote™, and can load up on different squirt guns, such as shotguns and rocket launchers, to soak their opponents. More info here
Xbox Games: Halo 3; Gears of War 3 Spring is nearly here, and with it comes new life for some of this generation’s biggest, most action-packed games, exclusively on Xbox LIVE. With more than 35 million in combined sales, the “Halo” and “Gears of War” franchises have set the bar for multiplayer games on the console. Now players of “Halo 3” and “Gears of War 2” will see the multiplayer experiences made even better by great new Game Add-ons. On 31st March, the Snowblind map pack gives “Gears of War 2” players a chance to cool off with four new, winter-themed environments: Grindyard, Under Hill, Courtyard, and a frozen version of the “Gears of War” favourite, Fuel depot. Hot on the heels of Snowblind comes the highly-anticipated “Halo 3” Mythic Map Pack, releasing 9th April with three new maps: Assembly, Orbital and Sandbox. Both Game Add-ons will be available only on Xbox LIVE for 800 Microsoft Points. In addition to the exclusives mentioned above, Xbox 360 is the only console where you can extend your play with Game Add-ons from many of the year’s top titles. From “Fallout 3” episode The Pitt (24th March) to the “Left 4 Dead” Survival Pack (21st April), publishers from across the industry recognize that Xbox LIVE is the premier online gaming destination, and a one-stop shop for Game Add-ons. iPhone and iPod Touch: Bookworm PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, today announced the launch of its hugely popular word game Bookworm™ for the iPhone™ and iPod® touch. The game is available now for U.S.$4.99 from Apple’s App Store on iPhone and iPod touch, or at: www.itunes.com/appstore/ Bookworm is the most popular digital word game of all time, and this new adaptation has been customized for Apple’s highly successful smart devices, and contains nearly the entire volume of words from the Oxford English Dictionary, plus a host of new features found only in this version. “We’re thrilled to bring Bookworm to the iPhone and iPod touch because it’s a game so well suited for mobile play,” said Andrew Stein, director of mobile business development at PopCap Games. “You can play Bookworm in short bursts of a few minutes whenever and wherever you want, but it also offers great challenge for marathon word-builders with infinite replayability. What’s more, Bookworm, with its great new features like shake to scramble, is especially appealing given how effectively it takes advantage of the iPhone and iPod touch hardware to make gameplay faster and more intuitive than ever before.” In Bookworm, players build words from contiguous letter tiles on a grid. Longer and more difficult words score more points and produce a variety of “gem tiles” that offer additional bonuses when used (and mega-bonuses when multiple gem tiles are used in a single word). Burning tiles sear through normal tiles, reaching the bottom of the grid quickly; they must be used before they reach the bottom, or the game ends. Exclusive features in the iPhone and iPod touch version include: • Shake to scramble letters: Simply shake your iPhone or iPod touch to re-scramble the letters. • All new bonus bookshelf: Discover books filled with bonus words and try to complete the collection. • Track your progress: Just turn your phone sideways for a quick, detailed view of your word history and bonus bookshelf status. • A word collectors dream: Build your stats and show off all the best words you’ve spelled! Classic features in the iPhone and iPod touch version include: • Classic and Action game modes with all the gameplay of the award-winning PC version. • Vocabulary of over 170,000 words based on the definitive English-language authority, the Oxford English Dictionary. • Tracking of all-time highest scoring as well as longest words, enables players to compare their personal bests to friends’ all-time best words and scores. • Unlimited levels to keep you rising up the ranks in the Hall of Fame. Originally launched for Web and PC play in 2003, and the recipient of numerous accolades, including “Puzzle Game of the Year” and “Editor’s Choice” from top editorial critics, Bookworm has been a resounding success on traditional cell phones as well as smart phones such as Windows Mobile and BlackBerry devices since its first mobile debut in 2007. Bookworm marks PopCap’s second iPhone and iPod touch offering; Bejeweled® 2 for iPhone and iPod touch has been among the top-selling games since its launch in mid-2008. Additional iPhone and iPod touch adaptations of PopCap’s casual games are planned for later this year and beyond. PS3 Games: Smash Cars TikGames (San Mateo, CA) and Creat Studios (Canton, MA) today announced Smash Cars as the next release under the partnership between the two companies to deliver next-generation console games for download on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. A follow-up to the original Smash Cars, Creat’s 2003 ‘no rules’ RC (radio-controlled) racing game, the successful franchise returns to the PlayStation and will be available for download Q2 2009 on the PLAYSTATION3® computer entertainment system, offered via Sony’s PlayStation®Network. Real-time physics, innovative stunts and next-generation graphics combine into a dynamic, tricked-out single and multiplayer RC car racing experience where players twist and turn, grind and gear up, performing aerial tricks and stunts while racking up trophies and points as they race to the finish, all in an unlikely location. Set on a beautiful and tranquil Mediterranean island, the fast-moving, bumper car gameplay style transforms this calm and relaxing setting into a dynamically frenzied raceway. A high-speed mini car racing game with a distinct arcade flavor, gameplay is presented from the unique perspective of a small RC vehicle, setting out to conquer the big world. Players will enjoy realistic driving physics and suspension as the tiny vehicles interact with full-size people and other beach dwellers along their path to victory. “Smash Cars’ unique style of gameplay and physics simulation offers gamers a kart-racing experience that is unmatched and unlike any other,” said Vladimir Starzhevsky, CEO of Creat Studios, Inc. “We are thrilled to be releasing such an innovative and exciting game on the PlayStation Network, and are honored that Sony has chosen to feature Smash Cars in their booth at GDC this year.” To win the race, RC vehicles must achieve nitro-fueled rocket boosts for accelerated speed bursts by grabbing big air and pulling off gnarly tricks and jumps. Points are earned by performing the best jumps and aerial tricks, hitting dynamic obstacles, colliding with other cars, skidding and “drifting” along sharp turns, and finishing first. Players can choose from the default Monster Truck style chassis, Buggy or Sports Car configurations, and a visit to the Workshop offers players the opportunity to personalize their vehicle by selecting paint color, glass styles, and decals. Additional body styles are unlocked as players advance. “With the release of Smash Cars, we are pushing the design and gameplay boundaries beyond the casual games arena,” said Anatoly Tikhman, founder and CEO of TikGames. “With the popularity of the original Smash Cars, we are very excited to bring the franchise to a next-generation platform and take advantage of capabilities only found on the PLAYSTATION 3.” Smash Cars will be featured in the Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) booth at the 2009 Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, March 23-27. Smash Cars will include PLAYSTATION Trophy support and its rating is still pending by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for this platform. Multi-Platform Games: Diner Dash Fans of the classic franchise Diner Dash® can rejoice as Hudson Entertainment will dish out a brand-new version of Diner Dash for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, PlayStation®Network and WiiWareTM starting this Summer. As in the classic action-strategy game, players will take control of Flo™, a waitress building a run-down diner into a success, one customer at a time. The Diner Dash series, licensed by Hudson from PlayFirst, Inc., has sold more than 2 million units worldwide and has won multiple awards, including an IGN Editors’ Choice Award, a GameSpot Editors’ Choice, and a Zeeby. “We’re delighted to bring Flo and Diner Dash to new gen consoles for the first time,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “Players have fallen in love with the award-winning series because of its quirky characters and fast-paced fun.” Diner Dash will come to life in 3D on new generation consoles when players have the option to take direct control of Flo as she runs around to seat patrons, take orders, deliver food, take payment and bus tables as efficiently as possible within the time limit allowed. Players fond of the traditional control schemes may also use a point-and-click style with hotkeys to aid Flo in her quest for customer satisfaction, which is reflected in a heart meter that empties as customers lose patience. If the meter empties completely, then the customer will leave the restaurant. Servers looking to play with co-workers can join with up to seven other players in multiplayer across four diners in Team Dash or go 1 on 1 in Head to Head mode. Diner Dash will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and WiiWare this Summer. For more information on Diner Dash and other titles, please visit Hudson Entertainment at www.hudsonent.com - Scratch: The Ultimate DJ Genius Products today released the first trailer for the highly anticipated Scratch: The Ultimate DJ, one of the first music rhythm games for fans of hip-hop. With creative and technical input from Mix Master Mike, legendary Scratch DJ for the Beastie Boys, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features an innovative turntable style controller and more than 60 licensed and original hip-hop and R&B songs from mainstream and underground artists including Kanye West, Tech N9ne, Run DMC, Eric B and Rakim and Deltron 3030. In addition to a heavy-hitting setlist, Scratch: The Ultimate DJ features an array of customizable DJ personalities, each with their own unique style and attitude, and distinctive urban environments, including 12 unique venues varying from homemade garage set-ups to million-dollar mansions. Players can put their own spin on tracks with “battle record” samples, including cartoon noises and power tool sounds, and also use a USB microphone to record their own samples. Additionally, Scratch Blocks allow players to earn points for creativity and scratch tricks such as the “One Click Flare” or “Crab Grab.” - Max Payne 3 Rockstar Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce that Max Payne 3 is currently in development and scheduled for a winter 2009 release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Developed by Rockstar Vancouver, Max Payne 3 tells the story of a retired police detective embroiled in a world of corruption, turmoil and intense violence. The award-winning Max Payne franchise put players in the role of Max Payne, a hard-boiled New York City detective with a penchant for violence, out to avenge the death of his family. The latest installment delivers more of the classic elements and hyper-intense action that fans have come to love, while moving the story of Max in a new direction. "We're starting a new chapter of Max's life with this game," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "This is Max as we've never seen him before, a few years older, more world-weary and cynical than ever. We experience the downward spiral of his life after the events of Max Payne 2 and witness his last chance for salvation." Since leaving the NYPD and New York itself behind, Max has drifted from bad to worse. Double-crossed and a long way from home, Max is now trapped in a city full of violence and bloodshed, using his weapons and instincts in a desperate search for the truth and a way out. Max Payne 3 will be available in winter 2009 for Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC. - Military Madness Ten-hut! Military Madness, the classic turn-based strategy game published by Hudson Entertainment, the North and South American publishing arm of HUDSON SOFT, is coming to Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®Network, and WiiWare™. This new version of the strategic combat simulation game includes an all-new graphical barrage, a regiment of new units, online co-op and vs. multiplayer and a platoon of other new features. Due to be ready for deployment this summer, Military Madness has been rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). “Since its original release on TurboGrafx-16 in 1989, Military Madness has stood the test of time as one of the longest-lived turn-based strategy games in history,” said Sabine Duvall, Vice President of Product Development at Hudson Entertainment. “The new Military Madness will give fans of the original a modern version of this classic strategy game, while gamers new to the series will get to enjoy being armchair generals for the first time.” With new features such as the commander unit, four person online multiplayer gaming and a 3D view of the battlefield, Miltary Madness has been modernized to meet the needs of today’s gamer without straying from the strategic elements that earned the original version awards for the “Best Military Strategy Game” and “Best War Game” within a year of its release. For those who want to know who is the “best of the best”, detailed stat-tracking leaderboards can be reviewed online. - Need for Speed Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Need for Speed™ SHIFT, the all-new authentic racing game in the Need for Speed series, will hit stores in the UK on September 18, 2009. Need for Speed SHIFT brings a true driver’s experience to some of the world’s most iconic racing tracks, including the storied Brand’s Hatch in the UK. The game also features the largest roster of high-performance cars in Need for Speed history including race cars such as the Pagani Zonda, Porsche 911 GT2 and Lotus Elise. “With Need for Speed SHIFT, we set out to create a racing game that pushes the genre and delivers something never before seen in a Need for Speed title,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President at EA Games Europe. “By focusing on the driver’s experience through the first-person view, we are able to capture the high-speed intensity and gripping emotions of racing.” Players are thrust into the loud, intense, and athletic experience of racing a car from the driver’s perspective through the combination of perception based G-forces, the hyper reality of the cockpit view, and the all-new brutally disorienting crash dynamic. Need for Speed SHIFT features an accurate, accessible physics-based driving model that allows you to feel every impact, every change of track surface and every last bit of grip as you push yourself to the edge. Need for Speed SHIFT is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios in collaboration with Black Box and Patrick Soderlund. Slightly Mad Studios includes developers and designers that worked on the critically acclaimed games GT Legends and GTR 2. The PSP version is being developed by EA’s Bright Light studio. Need for Speed SHIFT will be released on PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PC and PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) in fall 2009. - WWII Online: Battleground Europe Cornered Rat Software is inviting gamers to participate in a limited time 14-day free trial offer for their award-winning MMOG, WWIIOL: Battleground Europe. Anyone who creates a free trial account between March 20th and April 10th, 2009 will be entered into a draw in which three winners will have their own likeness added to the library of faces used for infantry characters seen by thousands of players. Information about how faces are added to in-game characters can be found at www.battlegroundeurope.com/faces. See the trial information page for more details on the website. Games Related News: Bay Area Game Jam Wild Pockets, currently in open beta, is giving indie and casual game developers a powerful platform to create Web-based games for free. Using Wild Pockets browser-based tools, developers can create elaborate games, interactive training, and 3-D advertising, which can then be posted easily on just about any Web site by using an embed tag similar to YouTube videos. Wild Pockets is working together with Crispy Gamer and Microsoft to host the Bay Area Game Jam, which will be held at the Microsoft Campus in Mountain View, CA on April 4 and 5. This 24-hour game creation event is open to game developers of all skill levels, backgrounds and disciplines; space is limited to the first 200 registrants. It is recommended that participants form teams of 2 to 5 developers. The Bay Area Game Jam keynote speakers are Aaron Tarnow of Wild Pockets and Andrew Sheppard of Hi5. The judging panel is comprised of the following industry veterans: Anne-Marie Rousselt of Microsoft, Robert Ashley of Crispy Gamer and A Life Well Wasted, Jamil Moledina of EA, Jameson Hsu of Mochi Media, Andrew Sheppard of Hi5 and Alan Yu of Ngmoco. Developers will compete for fun, fame and prizes, including a grand prize of $2,500 in cash. Featured live entertainment includes the band The OneUps famous for their loose interpretations of classic gaming tunes in a jazz / funk style, and the Megas, an independent video game cover band based on the Capcom game, Mega Man 2.; they will perform on April 4 starting at 10 p.m. “We believe that it is important to break down the barriers to entry for indie developers, and especially in this tough economic environment,” said Shanna Tellerman, CEO of Wild Pockets. “With the help of our very generous sponsors, we’re able to provide participants with 24 hours of free networking, food, fun and entertainment, plus some really fantastic prizes.” “Wild Pockets opens the door to would-be game developers who lack the financial freedom to pursue their dream of making a game. And, we know our audience of gamers will be interested to play these games for free on our site,” said Chris Heldman, CEO of Crispy Gamer. “We are excited to host the 24-hour Bay Area Game Jam at our Microsoft campus in Mountain View,” said Anne-Marie Roussel, senior director of digital media in the Strategic and Emerging Business Group at Microsoft Corp. “Sim Ops is part of Microsoft’s Accelerator program, which is designed to foster the success of high-potential start-ups. We view their Wild Pockets product as truly innovative for the game developer community.” Crispy Gamer has a deep editorial bench of games journalists aiming to provide independent, intellectual and entertaining coverage of the videogame landscape. Crispy Gamer has also differentiated itself by taking a bold stance in refusing to accept advertising from game publishers, setting a benchmark for fearless and credible industry reporting. Crispy Gamer is averaging over 1 million monthly unique visitors. All completed games from the Bay Area Game Jam will be available at wildpockets.com and crispygamer.com. For more information and to register for the Bay Area Game Jam, visit http://www.wildpockets.com/sfgamejam/. - Video Game Expo As Video Game Expo (VGXPO) prepares for its 5th annual show, we ask you to “Save the Date” - October 9-11, 2009 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown Philadelphia. Ticket registrations for VGXPO are now on sale, and special discounts are available if you buy your passes early. VGXPO is returning to the Pennsylvania Convention Center (a.k.a. the Philadelphia Convention Center) and has moved into Hall A, a monstrous 130,000 square foot exhibit hall. This state of the art convention center sets the stage for what’s sure to be an amazing event for gamers and game insiders alike. The location of the convention center is in center city Philadelphia, and above Philadelphia’s railroad system - making VGXPO easily accessible to the entire tri-state region and just a 10-minute ride to the Philadelphia International Airport. The convention center also is at the center of the North East Corridor Rail System, providing day-trip access to VGXPO from Baltimore, Boston and New York City, Washington D.C. and all points in between. Video Game Expo is already one of the premiere gaming destinations on the game industry calendar. Over 24,000 gamers and 55 exhibitors participated last year. This year we are bringing back all of the great content that's made VGXPO so much fun for gamers: The Great American Video Game Tournament; Anime and Games Fest; The VGXPO Arcade; Breaking In; Retro Con; The East Coast Games Summit; and R-Botx Fest. This year we are also adding great new exhibitors like Electronic Arts, plus we will feature a new super hero and sci-fi section powered by Wizard World. Also new this year will be our closing night ceremonies - held at the Kimmel Center, VGXPO plans to host a lifetime achievement award presentation and the Video Games Live music concert. For gamers that want to reserve their passes early, VGXPO is providing a special discount of 20% off all online tickets with a special “200-days to VGXPO” promotion. Gamers that buy their passes before March 31 and use the ticket code MARCHMADNESS can save up to 40% off the at-the-door-prices. Part of what makes Video Game Expo special is that the VGXPO team members are game fans ourselves and we support the efforts of the fan community. Events like Classic Gaming Expo, Too Many Games, California Extreme, OEGE and MAGFest are great examples of the value that fan events, and niche gaming communities, bring to the game industry. Each year VGXPO attends or supports such events with sponsorship and free marketing on VGXPO.com, and with exhibit space at Video Game Expo. Our success in offering a highly popular gaming destination is evident. One result is the desire of others to emulate what we do. This year a small group of gaming enthusiasts is advertising that it is working with, and part of, Channel 10 (a local network affiliate), to copy what we do. Their proposed venue is in Oaks, PA – approximately an hour's drive outside Philadelphia. Their event name is confusingly similar to ours and they are using our approach to selling their show. We wish them well and are flattered by their effort to copy us, but make no mistake. That group is not VGXPO. Video Game Expo is "THE" destination event on the east coast for gamers. VGXPO 2009 will be the best ever - and we look forward to your being there with us. - Edinburgh Interactive Festival The Edinburgh Interactive Festival today confirmed that Gamestation will be the official retail partner for this year’s event. Gamestation, one of the fastest growing retailers of video and computer games in the UK, confirmed its support for the public event and conference which will take place in Edinburgh between 10th and 16th August 2009. With over 250 stores across the UK, Gamestation will feature a retail area in the consumer focused free gameplay site of Edinburgh Interactive Festival 2009. The public will have the opportunity to buy the latest video games and enjoy exclusive Festival offers. Gamestation, Dean Shaw, said: “We are proud to be at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival for the fourth year running, as this year it will be bigger and better than ever before.” Edinburgh Interactive Festival Chairman, Chris Deering, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Gamestation this year as a key partner of the Edinburgh Interactive Festival. The Festival is a fantastic opportunity to build visibility within a wider cultural arena that celebrates the talent and creativity from all with a common interest in video games." Gamestation will kick start the festivities this August with a one-off exclusive pre-Festival launch event. The event will be held at one of Gamestations biggest stores in Scotland on Princes Street, Edinburgh and will feature giveaways, competitions and free gameplay. Further details for this event will be available on the Gamestation website at the end of July. Traditionally, one of the most popular aspects of the Edinburgh Interactive Festival is the free-to-public screenings programme – the consumer face of the Interactive Festival. The Screenings Programme offers the public a rare opportunity to catch an early glimpse at some of the year’s hottest titles before they hit the market. The sessions also allow gamers a chance to meet the people behind some of the world’s biggest games and learn a bit more about games design and development. This year, Gamestation will support the Screening sessions as part of their association with the Festival. Tickets for this year’s screenings will be made available to consumer’s free-of-charge, through branches of Gamestation across Scotland. For anyone living outside of Scotland, tickets can be downloaded free-of-charge from the Gamestation website. Tickets will be available from 10th June 2009. The 2009 programme is now open for screening submissions from developers, publishers and game creators, who would like to showcase their content as part of this year’s Festival. Edinburgh Interactive offers 45 to 60 minute screening sessions in dedicated auditoriums seating up to 100 people. The Festival is also open to feature any game-related short films, machinima and animations, which will be featured between the screenings line up. For anyone wishing to submit content to this year’s Interactive Festival, please contact
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Now in its seventh year, the Edinburgh Interactive Festival is set to bring the latest developments that the video games industry has to offer. Year on year, the Edinburgh Interactive Festive Festival is becoming more and more synchronised with the world famous Edinburgh Festival. With such rapidly growing popularity, Edinburgh Interactive Festival’s appeal has broadened considerably; it is now a massive draw for press and professionals from film, TV and interactive media backgrounds. - PS3 FragFX V2 Controllers available SplitFish Gameware, Inc. ("SplitFish") is pleased to announce the release of the new FragFX V2 controller for the Sony PlayStation®3. This long awaited advanced gaming accessory represents the next significant industry advancement for PS3 gamers. The FragFX V2 truly delivers on giving the first-person shooter (FPS) player the gaming precision, speed and control previously only available to PC gamers. Over the past year, SplitFish has painstakingly re-engineered and turbocharged the key performance features of the FragFX V2 system to ensure maximum playability and performance for PS3 gamers of all levels. Based on carefully analyzing the feedback received from V1 users, and pro gamers, the new V2 now includes significant improvements to the following components: optical mouse, frag switch, mouse & motion sensitivity, mouse buttons, and d-pad. In addition, improved game support will ensure that FragFX V2 users continue to dominate on today's genre of games (enhanced response in Call of Duty: World at War, Killzone 2 and Resistance 2) as well as future front line releases. In the event firmware upgrades are needed, they will be provided for free and instantaneously by simply downloading them directly from www.splitfish.com. The FragFx V2 also serves as a fully optimized mouse for the browsing and navigation of the PlayStation®HOME virtual world and the PlayStation®Network browser. "When it comes to fast-paced gaming where precision counts, gamers demand the most from their controllers and that is where the FragFX V2 comes into play. We decided to release a FragFx V2 to incorporate some of the great suggestions made by our hard core customers and pro gamers - the resulting hardware and firmware modifications, make the V2 an even more versatile and better quality PS3, FPS controller." said SplitFish president Werner Demetz. Key features of the FragFX V2 controller include: • Larger mousepad for a wider range of motion for mouse tracking and aiming • Varied mouse button surface textures to distinguish between buttons and provide better grip and less slip • Unique pressure sensitive Frag button that allows gamers to drastically increase their accuracy-perfect for long-range sniping. • Macro mouse sensitivity control located on the FragChuck provides gamers with a truly unique control setup. • Improved directional padRapid-fire can be mapped to a variety of mouse buttons and can be turned on and off on the fly from in-game. • FragChuck has full range of adjustable 6-Axis motion control. • Unique motion port feature that allows gamers to map 6-Axis motions-specific functions to a variety of buttons. The SplitFish FragFX2 V2 has an MSRP of $79.99.
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