Namco Bandai Partners GAMESCOM line-up
New GamesCom Event in Cologne, Germany Plays Host to Stellar Line Up of Titles for All, from NAMCO BANDAI Games, Atari and More
Namco Bandai Partners unveiled the exciting and varied line up of titles that it will showcase at GamesCom 2009 in Cologne, Germany from August 19th to 23rd. Bringing some of the year’s most anticipated titles to the hands of the biggest audience of video game fans in the world, NAMCO BANDAI Partners’ impressive stand, located in Hall 8, Stand B 040, will feature a huge number of public hands-on gaming stations and a seated theatre where new trailers will be screened exclusively for visitors to the show.
GamesCom 2009 is the first event where newly re-named video game distribution company NAMCO BANDAI Partners will present its strong line up of highly anticipated games with something for everyone, whether a hardcore gamer or just looking for a dose of top quality fun.
Titles available for fans to play include the most eagerly awaited fighting games TEKKEN 6 and Dragon Ball Raging Blast, anime-based titles Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo and One Piece Unlimited Cruise 2, acclaimed role playing adventure Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World, adrenaline-fuelled family party game Family Trainer: Extreme Challenge, Massively Multiplayer Online title Champions Online, and Katamari Forever, a game that defies categorisation but continues to win the hearts of players the world over.
On Wednesday 19th August, ahead of the public opening of the show, NAMCO BANDAI Partners will host its first press conference where major exclusive new announcements will be made to the world’s gaming media.
TEKKEN 6 (Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®3)
Release date: Autumn, 2009
Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc., TEKKEN 6 brings the blockbuster fighting series onto multiple platforms for the first time in the history of the TEKKEN franchise with stunning realism, uncompromising quality, major gameplay enhancements and the largest character roster ever seen in the TEKKEN series.
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast (Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®3)
Release date: Autumn, 2009
Dragon Ball®: Raging Blast, is the first video game in the Budokai Tenkaichi series to come to the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Featuring stunning HD graphics and audio, destructible environments and enhanced character features, Dragon Ball: Raging Blast takes players far beyond the realms of the original anime series.
Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo (Wii™)
Release date: Autumn, 2009
Dragon Ball: Revenge of King Piccolo is the first ever appearance of the original Dragon Ball story on Wii in glorious 3D. Players will control Kid Goku as he sets out on fantastic adventures with his friends. The title faithfully reproduces the uniqueness and special humour of the early Dragon Ball series, while adding an original blend of action and adventure to the mix
One Piece Unlimited Cruise 2 (Wii™)
Release date: September, 2009
The sequel to The Treasures beneath the Waves, One Piece Unlimited Cruise 2: Awakening of a Hero is based on the hit Japanese anime and manga, and features a pirate’s hoard of graphical and gameplay enhancements. Follow the path of Luffy, in his adventure to become the greatest pirate and his quest for the One Piece!
Tales of Symphonia™: Dawn of the new world (Wii™)
Release date: Autumn, 2009
Only on Wii ™, the game continues the story of the best-selling Tales of Symphonia™ for Nintendo GameCube™, while introducing a new monster collection system that lets players capture, evolve and do battle with more than 200 monsters alongside a huge cast of new and returning characters.
Family Trainer: Extreme Challenge (Wii™)
Release date: September, 2009
Following up on its wildly successful predecessor, the motion sensing Wii Remote™ is partnered with an original custom mat controller to provide a total body gaming experience in an extreme sports setting. With Family Trainer Extreme Challenge anyone can be an extreme sports star in the comfort of their own home!
Katamari Forever (PLAYSTATION®3)
Release date: September, 2009
Featuring the largest collection of stages, modes, songs, and cousins to date, remixed classic Katamari Damacy tunes, a brand-new storyline, multiple new visual effects and 1080p graphics, Katamari Forever is the ultimate Katamari experience.
Champions Online (PC)
Release date: September, 2009
Champions Online brings epic heroism back to the MMORPG with fast-paced, epic combat. A boundless character creator takes the experience to the next level; players can even choose the appearance and style of their powers to complete their vision! A unique Nemesis system also lets players tap into a powerful customization tool to craft their own enemy, an ultimate adversary who will appear throughout a hero’s career.
For more information on Namco Bandai Partners, please visit www.namcobandaipartners.com
Batman: Arkham Asylum – PC version to be powered by NVIDIA’s PhysX technology
An immersive adventure unfolds in stunning detail
Eidos Interactive, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and NVIDIA Corporation announced that the Games for Windows LIVE release of forthcoming DC Comics-licensed videogame, Batman: Arkham Asylum, will feature NVIDIA® PhysX® technology, which allows for the creation of incredibly realistic worlds full of interactive materials and objects. As a result, PC gamers will get to experience intense realism and fully immerse themselves in Batman’s journey into Gotham City’s asylum for the criminally insane.
Hardware accelerated by supported NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, PhysX technology provides an even deeper level of engagement for players of Batman: Arkham Asylum by utilizing the processing power of the NVIDIA GPU to render stunning in-game physics objects in the environment that not only add to the overall look of the game, but create an immersive and believable world.
With PhysX technology enabled, players can explore darkened corridors packed with volumetric fog which reacts to Batman’s movement and cobwebs which tear with his passing. Combat becomes a maelstrom of motion as office papers are thrown into the air alongside soda cans and litter as Batman lands each punch upon The Joker’s henchmen. Throughout the game, the decaying gothic architecture is realized to an incredible detail with wall tiles chipping and breaking, stone pillars crumbling upon impact, and particles from breaking glass and debris shattering and falling down around Batman’s feet.
“Supporting NVIDIA PhysX technology has allowed us to add that little bit extra to the PC version of the game,” said Sefton Hill, Game Director at Rocksteady Studios. “As Batman interacts with the world, the aging asylum creates a more immersive, believable world which really draws the player in.”
Batman: Arkham Asylum™ exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure that takes them to the depths of Arkham Asylum – Gotham City’s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Gamers will move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City’s most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum. Using a wide range of Batman’s gadgets and abilities, players will become the Invisible Predator and attempt to foil The Joker’s demented scheme.
The NVIDIA PhysX development platform consists of a robust physics engine, API, and middleware designed to give developers and animators unprecedented creative control over the look of their final in-game interactivity by allowing them to author and preview physics in real time. To take advantage of PhysX technology in Batman: Arkham Asylum, players must have a compatible NVIDIA GPU and a copy of the Games for Windows LIVE version of the game, which will be available beginning September 15th, 2009, in North America, and September 18th, 2009, in Europe and Australia.
Batman: Arkham Asylum™ will also be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system from August 25th, 2009, in North America and August 28th, 2009, in Europe and Australia.
For more information on Batman: Arkham Asylum™, visit www.batmanarkhamasylum.com and for more information on NVIDIA PhysX technology, please visit www.nvidia.com/physx.
Paradox prepares to invade Cologne
Line-up for Games.com 2009 Announced
On the heels of the successful release of East India Company and Hearts of Iron III, Paradox Interactive announced their line-up for the upcoming gamescom 2009 show in Cologne, Germany from August 19-21.
Paradox will be showcasing a wide array of projects, starting with the soon-to-be released Majesty 2. Scheduled for release on September 11, the long overdue sequel for the beloved real-time strategy classic is finally approaching release. With nothing else out there quite like it, the world of Majesty 2 is full of charm along with a unique sense of humor where the player only has indirect control of the characters and units.
In addition to Majesty 2, Paradox will be showcasing the following projects:
Mount & Blade: Warband: The first expansion for the critically acclaimed Mount & Blade will introduce an array of brand new features, highlighted by a multiplayer mode that allows up to 32 players to battle it out in team death-match style combat on a single map. Additional features of the expansion include improved strategic AI, extended diplomatic options, and state-of-the-art rendering technologies. The Mount & Blade: Warband is scheduled for release in Q1 2010.
Project Poseidon: This – soon to be announced – latest addition to the Paradox portfolio is the sequel in a very popular simulation game where players take on the responsibilities of running a wide array of vessels at sea.
East India Company: Exciting new details on upcoming expansions as well as live demos of the Matrox Triplehead feature.
Paradox’s internal development team will be present to demo Hearts of Iron 3 and reveal the next major project to be developed by the team.
Trickster Online Revolution – Prizes up for grabs in the team-building drilling challenge
Players Can Win Unique Prizes Including GM Pets, Trickster T-Shirts and More Through August 19
Ntreev USA, Inc. announced that its Poppuri Event: D is for Drilling for popular MMORPG, Trickster Online: A New Discovery will begin today and continue for the next two weeks, through August 19. The special promotion will provide players the opportunity to win all types of custom prizes from Ntreev.
Trickster players are encouraged to gather in a worldwide event to drill for hidden Poppuri boxes in order to earn Trickster prizes. During the course of seven stages of the event, players must work together to excavate a designated number of boxes. The event challenges players to go around the world of Trickster drilling for boxes which will count towards the worldwide box count requirement for each stage.
As each of the seven stages is fulfilled, Tricksters will be rewarded with very unique prizes. In order to be eligible to participate in the event, players must be over level 30, and have contributed at least 100 Poppuri Boxes. When the worldwide box count reaches the first tier of 500,000, rewards will be distributed to all the players who contributed. Ntreev will also provide prizes for the Top 10 Drillers. And the top three will receive an exciting new GM Pet and also a custom-made Trickster T-shirt. The winners who fall in the top 4-10 spots will earn a Trickster T-shirt, along with a Trickster Doll. Players who have collected more than 500 Poppuri Boxes will receive a Surprise Poppuri Skill Card, Poppuricia Pet Swimsuit Version and a Shadow Poppuricia Disguise Kit.
“We are thrilled to bring this event to our loyal Trickster Online: A New Discovery fans,” said Chris Lee, CEO of Ntreev USA. “This is an excellent way for players to interact with each other and work towards a joint cause, while also getting the chance to win some great prizes.”
Trickster Online: A New Discovery can be downloaded for free at
http://trickster.ntreev.net/
Championship Manager 2010 available September 11th
Demo available on August 14th
Eidos Interactive Ltd together with Beautiful Game Studios announces that Championship Manager™ 2010 will be available on Games for Windows across Europe from September 11th 2009.
“I’m delighted to be able to confirm the 11th September release date for Championship Manager 2010. This edition contains features which will really set us apart from the competition such as CM Season Live™ which offers a totally new dimension to the football management genre,” said Roy Meredith, General Manager, Championship Manager. “This is the culmination of two years incredibly hard work and the whole studio is genuinely excited about how gamers will react when they get the chance to play it for the first time.”
Championship Manager 2010 is the latest edition of the classic football management franchise, and will be the first football game available for the 2009/10 season. In development for over 2 years, the 2010 edition offers players a host of unique features never seen before in football management games. These include a bespoke 3D match engine with over 500 individual player animations created specifically for Championship Manager, a Set-piece creator giving users the chance to create their own unique free kicks and corners, Scouting Networks allowing users to set-up local networks in countries around the world and scout for local players and Practice matches helping users build and mould their perfect team or trial new players.
Championship Manager also includes an industry first in CM Season Live™ allowing players to download the real-world 09/10 football season data and take on real world managerial decisions and challenges in the leading leagues across Europe.
Ahead of the games release, players will be able to try out all of the latest features and more in a full demo available from August 14th via the Championship Manager website. With 6 months game time (over half a season) contained in the demo and fully compatible with the full version of the game on its release, players have a full four weeks to prepare themselves for the release of Championship Manager 2010.
Championship Manager 2010 will be available across Europe in French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish and Polish on Friday September 11th 2009.
World Cyber Games 2009 – US finals to be staged at the end of September
The WCG National Finals in NYC are the Next Stop to Reaching Chengdu, China this November
With just under 100 days remaining until the World Cyber Games (WCG) Grand Final kicks-off in Chengdu, China, the WCG has announced key dates leading up to the showcase event for the world’s largest and most inclusive international computer and videogame festival. This year, over 700 of the world’s top eSports players from more than 70 countries are expected to represent their countries and battle it out for honor and glory at the Grand Final, known as the Olympics of gaming.
The road to the exciting and intensely competitive five-day journey that will determine the best eSports players in the world kicks into high gear as all participating Grand Final countries conduct their National Final. Included amongst them will be TEAM USA, who won the overall tournament in 2007 and finished third last year. The U.S. will determine its team for the 12 official WCG titles at the National Finals held in conjunction with the New York Anime Festival on September 25-27. Anyone who wants to participate in the USA WCG National Final this year still has time to qualify by visiting www.WCG.com/USA to register for the WCG Online Tournaments to qualify for your shot at TEAM USA.
Fans can follow all of the action for the U.S. National Final, and all other National Finals, by logging onto www.WCG.com. Additionally, if they log on in September, they can watch live as the WCG unveils the group drawings. During the live event, fans can find out the match-ups for the Grand Final.
In October, online press registration will be open during October for all media interested in attending the event. Media members can save time by obtaining their press pass on-site directly during the event, guaranteeing admission to all WCG 2009 Grand Final events.
Here comes the HERO!
Come and meet the heroes!
See you in Chengdu!
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland MMO game announced
Virtual Fairground unveils next MMO game and virtual world
Virtual Fairground announces that it is developing Wonderland MMO (www.wonderlandmmo.com), a virtual world and MMO game for teenage girls based on the famous story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
Wonderland MMO started development in 2008 and is set for launch mid-2010. As is the case with Virtual Fairground’s other MMO game production Club Galactik (www.clubgalactik.com), the world and game are entirely Flash-based and will run directly from any browser.
With Wonderland MMO Virtual Fairground aims to create an online hang-out with a darkly romantic and mysterious style. “We really want to create a different kind of online game experience for girls”, says Ilja Goossens of Virtual Fairground. “There are already so much sugary sweet virtual worlds for this demographic or those that are just about shopping and buying things. We believe girls have more varied interests and preferences. Something that is clearly proven by other media such as books, tv-shows and movies.”
“As a company we have a philosophy of building worlds and MMO games based on existing brands and stories”, continues Maarten Brands. “So we looked at some of the classics and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was one of the stories that popped out, something that we could really use to create our vision of an alternative online game for girls.”
Matrix Games releases a WW2: Time of Wrath demo
Try your hand at battling for supremacy over Europe in this new playable demo!
Matrix Games and Wastelands Interactive announced the release of a playable demo for WW2: Time of Wrath. Coming on the heels of the release of the successful release of this new grand strategy game, the demo offers gamers a chance to experience World War II on a massive scale.
The demo is available from Patches Scrolls, Gamer’s Hell, Strategy Informer, Fan gaming, and Worth Downloading.
David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “Any fan of World War II strategy should give the Time of Wrath demo a download. It doesn’t take much time to pick up the game and start battling it out across Europe and Time of Wrath is one of the best game systems on the market when it comes to recreating the Second World War!”
From the front lines in France and Russia to the deserts of North Africa and the airfields and convoys of Britain, the campaigns of World War II are yours to command in WW2: Time of Wrath! This turn-based grand strategy title, the highly improved and expanded sequel to WW2: Road to Victory, puts the player in charge of the political, economic and military decisions of one or more Axis or Allied nations, including minor nations. A diplomacy system based on political points allows you to sway possible allies to your side. An upgraded and expanded naval combat system includes fleet engagements, combat patrols, massive aircraft carriers, elusive raiders and U-Boats as well as a convoy system.
Concentrate precious industrial resources on building, training and upgrading a wide variety of combat units from airborne soldiers and armored divisions up to nuclear weapons! Historical leaders enhance the performance of your armies and hundreds of historical events like the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Lend-Lease and more give you choices that can change the course of history. WW2: Time of Wrath is fought across turns that vary in length by season and 25 km hexes with divisions and corps, giving the player a broad strategic picture of the war while still leaving enough room for operational decisions.
Get more information on WW2: Time of Wrath from its official product page and be sure to get the demo from this list of mirrors.
Opportunity to win one of 50 closed beta keys for CHAMPIONS ONLINE
High Demand Alltern8.com Site Hosts Competition
Alltern8, the world’s first online publication, community and resource site built by and (and for) the consumer, announced that from now until August 6, fans have the opportunity to win one of 50 Closed Beta Keys for Champions Online, the premiere super heroic MMO, generously donated by Cryptic Studios.
Some key features of Champions Online include:
• Billions of character options, allowing for complete customization
• 900 story and mission drive quests, including public quests
• The much anticipated “Nemesis” feature, which provides players the opportunity to design the powers and the look of their ultimate foe
• Five major play zones within the hometown of Millennium City
• Multiple modes of travel including rocket propelled boots and backpacks, surfboarding, sneaky burrowing, flying, teleportation and the current favourite, “Swinging”
• Trading with resources to be used in the different professions, which currently include Science, Arms and Mysticism. Characters can use the upgrades created from these professions to change or empower their abilities.
For a chance to win one of 50 Closed Beta Keys, go to www.alltern8.com