Game Developer Confronts iPhone Software Cracker
The developer of an iPhone game had a nice surprise when it suddenly saw a surge in users. The game had around ten downloads a day from iTunes, which inexplicably transformed into more than 400 users in a single day. The reason – the game got cracked. Read what happened when the developer confronted the cracker.
Gametrailers.Com Announces Winners Of Distinguished Game Of The Year Awards 2008
Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV Takes Home Coveted “Game of the Year” Award, Along with “Best Action Adventure Game,” “Best Story,” “Best PlayStation3 Game” and “Best Xbox 360 Game”
GameTrailers (GT) – the premier provider of video for gamers – announced the winners of the “GameTrailers Game Of The Year Awards 2008,” crowning Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto IV as “Game of the Year.” Other notable winners include Bethesda Software’s Fallout 3 and SCEA’s LittleBigPlanet.
Celebrating the outstanding caliber of games in 2008, GameTrailers revealed the nominees and winners of 28 game award categories during a ten-day series, culminating on New Years Eve. The GT editorial staff selected the nominees and winners after spending countless hours reviewing hundreds of games for their gameplay, design, artistry and innovation. In honoring the five nominees and ultimate winner in each category, GT produced informative video packages that showcase gameplay highlights and editorial comments on the merits of each nominee.
“This was yet another epic year for the gaming industry, and choosing a winner for each category proved to be very difficult,” said Shane Satterfield, Editor in Chief, GameTrailers. “It was a lengthy, yet fulfilling task to sit with our experienced editorial staff and pick the winners. We want to congratulate the many developers and publishers for their exceptional games and hope their great results carry on into the New Year.”
Log on to GameTrailers to watch all of the “Game of the Year Awards 2008” at www.gametrailers.com
Winners of the “GameTrailers Game Of The Year Awards 2008” are as follows:
Best Puzzle/Parlor Game
Professor Layton and the Curious Village – Nintendo
Best Strategy Game
Sins of A Solar Empire – Stardock
Best New Franchise
LittleBigPlanet - SCEA
Best PlayStation 2 Game
Rock Band 2 - MTV Games/Electronic Arts
Best Racing Game
Burnout Paradise - Electronic Arts
Best PSP Game
God of War: Chains of Olympus - SCEA
Best Nintendo DS Game
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia – Konami
Best Action Adventure Game
Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games
Best Sports Game
NHL 09 - Electronic Arts
Best Role-Playing Game
Fallout 3 – Bethesda Softworks
Most Innovative Game
LittleBigPlanet - SCEA
Best Story
Grand Theft Auto IV – Rockstar Games
Best Third-Person Shooter
Gears of War 2 - Microsoft Game Studios
Biggest News Story
Final Fantasy XIII for Xbox 360
Best Downloadable Game
Braid - Number None Inc.
Best Music and Rhythm Game
Rock Band 2 – MTV Games
Most Disappointing Game
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - LucasArts
Best Graphics
Gears of War 2 – Microsoft Game Studios
Best First-Person Shooter
Resistance 2 - SCEA
Best Trailer
Resident Evil 5 Tokyo Game Show Trailer – Capcom
Best Software Lineup
PlayStation 3
Best Multiplayer Game
Rock Band 2 - Electronic Arts
Biggest Surprise
Final Fantasy XIII for the Xbox 360
Best PC Game
Fallout 3 – Bethesda Softworks
Best Wii Game
Super Smash Bros. Brawl - Nintendo
Best PlayStation 3 Game
Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games
Best Xbox 360 Game
Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games
Game of the Year
Grand Theft Auto IV - Rockstar Games
ArmA: Armed Assault loaded by tons of user made content
Bohemia Interactive and IDEA Games are pleased to announce that number of free add-ons available for ArmA: Armed Assault is growing every day.
Join the ArmA community! Enlist for duty in ArmA, one of the most realistic open space modern combat simulations ever created. Join the great community and get dozens of free downloadable add-ons of all kind available on ArmA headquarters: from tons of new weapons, units, vehicles and aircrafts to completely new maps, terrain models, scenarios and full sized complex modifications covering real military forces. ArmA headquarters access is located here: http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/ArmA:_Addon_Groups, http://community.bistudio.com/wiki/News_Websites.
More than two years from its initial release ArmA: Armed Assault (released also as ArmA: Combat Operations and ArmA: Gold) still have incredible potential which is far more above other military simulation titles released on PC. Thanks to amazingly huge community and public modding tools, since days of Bohemia Interactive’s first PC release Operation Flashpoint*, ArmA: Armed Assault became another unique open platform for military enthusiasts on the PC.
“Active and creating community is the best satisfaction and compliment for each game developer and we are very happy to see our work is inspiration and drive for our fans. I would like to thank to all members of ArmA: Armed Assault community. This support is helping us in our work of the forthcoming project ARMA2” said Marek Spanel, CEO of Bohemia Interactive.
ARMA2 will be available across Europe in 2009.
*Operation Flashpoint is a trademark of Codemasters
Aeria Games Last Chaos U.S.A. Set to Release Phoenix System
Aeria Games Last Chaos U.S.A. is proud to announce their first major steps into the building of an “End” game empire.
Coming early January Last Chaos will be receiving a slew of new content for both old and new players. This content expansion marks the first phase of a massive overhaul of the game, targeting major game systems.
This latest content expansion will include the following:
- An alternate character advancement system dubbed “The Phoenix System” will add a new element to leveling. These “Phoenix” characters will have extra statistic points, and will do more overall damage than normal characters. The characters will also be easily identifiable by their unique armor and weapons.
- Brand new armor and weapons for all regular classes. This new armor includes visible helmets for the players, something that the community has asked for since the launch of the game in 2007.
- A new high level end game dungeon filled with brand new never before seen monsters. The dungeon which has been placed in the high level zone of Strayana, includes new items and accessories.
- Never before seen monsters complete with advanced A.I. and deadly combat skills.
- The launch of a new crafting system, that allows players to create some of the most powerful items in game. This crafting system will be directly tied to the new armor and weapons, giving players more control over their equipment
- A unique pet color pattern that can be placed over the already highly customizable drake or horse pets.
For more information, visit http://lastchaos.aeriagames.com.
Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion is out
Big Blue Bubble is proud to announce that Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion is scheduled for release on all major portals and is available now at www.bbbarcade.com!
Crime of Fashion is the first in a series of hidden object games that will appeal to fans of the genre and anyone who loves a good murder mystery!
The New York fashion world is turned upside down when Detective Carrie Chase discovers that a famous Fashion Designer has been murdered. She soon comes to the frightening realization that a serial killer is at large with an eye for design and a thirst for murder. Masters of Mystery: Crime of Fashion is a thrilling, hidden object game with a twist. Using interactive forensic tools, the player will solve cunning puzzles to ultimately uncover the horrifying truth behind these brutal crimes.
Key Features
- A COMPELLING MYSTERY TO SOLVE
- STUNNING, PHOTO-REALISTIC SCENES
- HUNDREDS OF UNIQUE OBJECTS TO FIND
- ENGAGING MINI-GAMES AND PUZZLES
- INTERACTIVE FORENSIC TOOLS
With over 30 high profile games in its portfolio, Big Blue Bubble Inc. is one of Canada’s leading video game developers. Each of company’s divisions (Console and Casual) is dedicated to making the best possible games by combining innovative designers with top calibre artists and industry leading programmers. By maintaining a strong focus on the development of technology and showcasing it through award winning games, Big Blue Bubble will continue to lead the way in becoming a cornerstone of the casual gaming world.
For more information on Big Blue Bubble and its ongoing projects, please visit www.bigbluebubble.com.
Capcom’s 2009 line-up
Resident EvilTM 5, Street FighterTM IV, Dead RisingTM Chop Till You Drop, Neopets® Puzzle Adventure, Flock!TM, MotoGP for Nintendo Wii
Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, has today confirmed that seven of its upcoming titles will be released within the first half of 2009. The line up demonstrates Capcom’s commitment to pursuing a multiformat strategy and growing its portfolio of titles and includes the latest instalment of some of the industry’s most cherished franchises.
Throughout 2008, Capcom was at the forefront of digital download titles and this is set to continue into 2009 and beyond. Its first downloadable game of the year Flock! is scheduled for release this February and will be available for the Xbox LIVE® Arcade, PlayStation®Network and PC platforms. Flock! sees players take control of a UFO that is tasked with herding animals to its mothership through a variety of interactive levels. With over 50 levels in single player and online co-op mode and a simple yet powerful level editor to extend the experience, Flock!’s unique theme, clever humour and easy pick up and play controls will ensure a new twist on the puzzle genre.
On February 20th the revolutionary Street Fighter series makes a very welcome return with Street Fighter IV releases on the Xbox 360™ and PlayStation®3 systems. The release date of the PC version will be confirmed shortly. The series which has amassed combined global sales of over 25 million units aims to put the fun back into the fighting genre and reignite the passion of the Street Fighter II era. Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a global hit is back in Street Fighter IV with the addition of new characters, including fighters added just for the console version of the game, special moves, locations and gameplay elements, providing challenges for even the most seasoned Street Fighter pro.
Infecting gamers and completing Capcom’s list of releases for February is Dead Rising Chop Till You Drop, scheduled for release for the Nintendo Wii™ on the 27th of the month. Based on the Xbox 360™ title, which to date has sold over one million copies, the humour and challenge that made the original such a hit with gamers still remain, while many core elements have been totally redesigned for the Wii platform and audience, taking zombie bashing to a whole new level. With the added functionality of the Wii remote, players will be able to shake off zombie attacks and swing and throw dozens of makeshift weapons, from chainsaws to baseball bats in order to survive.
Based on the Nickelodeon property Neopets and also scheduled for release on February 27th Neopets Puzzle Adventure will extend Neopets’ virtual experience for fans when it is released for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and PC. Neopets is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 stickiest sites and is currently the largest and fastest growing online youth community. With an exciting storyline featuring over 150 quests and three mythical lands to explore, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is the ultimate virtual-pet puzzle adventure game appealing to puzzle enthusiasts, casual gamers and fans of the Nickelodeon property.
Gamers around the globe have already written Friday 13th March 2009 on their calendars in blood red ink in order to mark the release of Resident Evil 5. This new title sees one of the industry’s most successful franchises brings the next generation of fear to the Xbox 360™ and PlayStation®3 systems. With the debut of co-op play and the introduction of other innovations to the series, Resident Evil 5 promises to set a new standard in action gaming.
Also scheduled for release in March is MotoGP for the Nintendo Wii. Due to hit retail to coincide with the pre-season activity for the 2009 MotoGP season, the title turns the Wii remote into a set of virtual handlebars as players compete across the three race classes in single races, a full championship or a series of challenge stages. Different handling models and AI rider characteristics allow ease of entry for riders of all skills whether a seasoned bike racing fan or new to the genre.
Completing this impressive line up is Bionic Commando, the first true sequel to the retro classic with an injection of next gen power. The title will be initially available for gamers on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) with the PC version following shortly afterwards. Bionic Commando harnesses the power of the latest generation of hardware to fully exploit the swing mechanic that made the original title so unique. Using the powers of the Bionic Arm to swing between towering skyscrapers, punch cars, pummel opponents and grab distant enemies, players can gain a tactical advantage to progress through the compelling single player campaign and take on all comers in its multiplayer modes.
Myth War II: Tips for Being a Millionaire
As players continue to play Myth War II, one of the most common questions is how to get fast money. Today the folks behind MW2 are going to teach everyone how to make some easy money.
Fast Money Wins 1: 100-ring Integral Quest
Players can receive this quest from Duan at Demon Square and will earn 100 Integrals worth about 1,500,000 to 1,800,000 game gold every time they save NPCs in trouble.
Players stand a high chance of getting Dragon Stones that can be sold to an NPC for 630,000 game gold or to other players without set prices. If they are lucky and meet someone who is rich and generous, they could make up to 2,000,000 game gold. This quest is easy to handle and suitable for players Level 30+. Here are some tips and tricks to remember when questing:
1.Keep track of the location entry on your teleport scrolls.
2. Find your own rhythm while questing.
Fast Money Wins 2: Combat Thieves and win Integrals
It will be a lot easier for players if they follow the rules set for this quest. Go to the bar in Woodlingor to receive the quest and fight the Thief, Thief Boss and Girl Thief to win Integrals. These guys are not high maintenance and players should be able to take them down without much effort. Complete the quest in solo or party and get some pet eggs. The quest is designed in a turn based system. More integrals will be scored in the first 10 rounds. That’s means players may win a lot of game gold during these 10 rounds.
For more information please visit the official site at http://mw2.igg.com/news/news.php?aid=454
UnforgivenWar Beta Testing a Huge Success
Nvinium Games, Inc. announced that its free to play text based browser game, Unforgivenwar, has received over 100,000 player registrations since the start of its Beta Testing Phase. It has become one of the fastest growing MMORPG communities on the web. As many as 2900 people are actively playing the game and interacting with each other daily. Nvinium Games, recently launched the Unforgivenwar game application to work on both the Facebook and MySpace Community Platforms.
The key to the success for Unforgivenwar lies not only in its depth of game play, but more importantly in the Community interaction with each other, as well as the real time support given by the Unforgivenwar Support Team.
“Unlike most text based games, our utilization of technology such as real time chat allows both members and guests to see activity in the community.
This interaction makes the game much more exciting than simple static forums,” said Matt Abrams, CEO of Nvinium Games.
Text based games have seen a major increase in popularity over the past 12 months and have proven to be an important part of social networking communities. “Web based, community networking games are really the next major wave of the Web 2.0 Social System, and games such as Unforgivenwar.com are proving that through continued rapid growth,”
stated social network visionary Joe Abrams Chairman, Nvinium Games. Abrams is well known for Co-Founding Euniverse (Intermix), the predecessor company to Myspace, as well as the Co-Founder of The Software Toolworks which was one of the largest game publishers in the 90′s.
Unforgivenwar is now positioning itself to reach an even greater number of players as it enters its final phase of beta testing. Players can participate in the ongoing Beta Testing of Unforgivenwar by registering at the official site http://unforgivenwar.com.
Three New Free Indie Games Arrive on Archive Games
Independent online distribution platform welcomes three new games created by independent developers.
It’s difficult for independent developers to attract players to their games. It can also be difficult for gamers to find new quality independent games. Archive Entertainment hopes to solve these problems with Archive Games, a digital distribution platform that connects independent developers with gamers.
Three new independent studios have partnered with Archive Entertainment to add their work to the Archive Games distribution platform:
Overflow, by Vultrix – Tax your brain with this unique puzzler in which you must redirect the flow of water to safety. Using your mouse and a steady hand, draw bridges and barriers to divert and block the onslaught of water. Includes 25 vividly surreal levels, and a freeform sandbox mode where you are free to play with the water physics.
Space Pizza, by Per Olofsson – As the newest pizza delivery driver, it is your mission to deliver pizzas without crashing into any number of conveniently placed obstacles… all while under a time limit. Fast paced and fun, this is an innovative take on the Lunar Lander concept.
Take Down Online, by 174 Studios – An in-development combat-oriented MMO; capture command points with your team as you travel by foot, humvee, or armed helicopter.
All three games can be freely downloaded now via Archive Games. Archive Entertainment continues to seek new relationships with developers to bring independent games to fans. For more information about Archive Games, please visit http://www.ArchiveGames.net/