gamescom 2009: Cologne eagerly awaits the gamescom premiere, with more than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries expected
Fans of interactive entertainment can look forward to world and European premieres of games, action, events and entertainment in Cologne at gamescom, already the international meeting place of the industry at its very first staging
Gamescom is under starter’s orders and the stands are already being set up in Cologne. Organiser Koelnmesse and its ideal partner the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (Bundesverband Interaktive Unterhaltungssoftware – BIU) are eagerly waiting to greet more than 420 exhibitors from 30 countries from 19-23 August. With foreign participation at 45 per cent, gamescom has become the industry’s international meeting point at a stroke. Over a total of 120,000 square metres of exhibition space, the industry community, from developers to publishers and trading partners all the way to the large group of gamers, will meet in halls 4 to 9 of Koelnmesse.
Fans and friends of interactive entertainment can look forward to a grand show of game premieres, a spectacular event and entertainment programme on the entire trade show grounds – indoors and outdoors – and in the city itself at the gamescom Festival. Already well over 100 world, European and German premieres of games in all genres are on the bill. With more than 30 exhibitors from the areas of media learning and expertise, and the gamescom congress organised by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Europe’s largest event for interactive entertainment and games is also giving a huge boost to child welfare. Koelnmesse, the German Association of Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU), the City of Cologne and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are ready to launch the premiere of gamescom. “The games can begin,” say Oliver P. Kuhrt, Managing Director of Koelnmesse, and Olaf Wolters, head of the BIU, in unison.
Industry meeting place
With foreign companies making up 45 per cent of exhibitors – including firms from the UK, France, the US and Canada – gamescom is already the new international industry meeting place right from the start. Games producers from France, Italy, the UK, Scandinavia, Taiwan and Thailand will present their products on six shared stands. The business area (halls 4 and 5) will see the European games industry do business with their trading partners, while the entertainment area (halls 6 to 9) is devoted to companies presenting their new products to private visitors. For example in hall 6 of gamescom, companies including Activision Blizzard, Capcom, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Square Enix and Take Two will showcase their latest titles. In hall 7, Konami, Sony and Ubisoft, Bigben Interactive, Hama, Koch Media and others will cater to fans of interactive entertainment. In hall 8, next to the north entrance, firms including Nintendo, Namco Bandai, Sega, Warner Brothers, dtp and Tivola will present their innovations. Hall 9 puts e-sports, core gaming and the dynamic online gaming segment centre stage. Here, Turtle Entertainment, GOA, NcSoft, Funcom and others will show their products in the best light. To ensure that visitors to gamescom have as much active gaming time as possible, themed game zones (lifestyle, sport, action & adventure, e-sports) will complement the exhibitor stands. This is where the virtual world of games meets its real-world counterpart.
World premieres and interactive supporting programme
In the entertainment area, visitors to gamescom will experience a festival of new computer and video games. It will feature new products in just about every genre, from infotainment and edutainment games, to casual, sports and music games, all the way to action and adventure. In short, video and PC, online and browser games producers and hardware providers, too, will be presenting their latest developments, with exhibitors presenting more than one hundred world, European and German premieres. Sports fans, for example, can look forward to the premieres of Pro Evolution Soccer 10, FIFA 10, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and Tony Hawk Ride, while racing aficionados will be treated to Need for Speed Nitro and Forza Motorsport 3. The pulses of music-lovers will also be quickened by titles such as Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero 5, The Beatles Rock Band, Band Hero, LIPS – No. 1 Hits and Just sing.
The line-up of global players from around the world is already being hotly awaited by the European gaming community in the focus area of online, browser and mobile games. Besides browser game market leaders gameforge and Bigpoint, more than 20 companies from Germany, Europe and South Korea will present the entire gamut of games and latest blockbusters, among them World of Warcraft and “Celebrities”.
Away from the screens and monitors, the interactive supporting programme at gamescom will provide the best in entertainment. Creative costumed action fans and friends of relaxing entertainment at gamescom will certainly get their money’s worth in the real world too. For example, from Thursday the best case modders will battle it out in the German case-modding championships, which will award prizes to the most inventive homemade PC housings. People looking to enter the games industry or move within it will want to head straight to the job and career centre in hall 8. There visitors will also find the “Retro Gaming 1972-2009″ exhibition, showcasing almost four decades of gaming history. Outside, cosplayers – costumed players – will be awaiting their turn. On Saturday, the south entrance will be the setting for a cosplay world record attempt, which has been officially registered with Guinness World of Records. Another outdoor event will see the most daring motorcyclists take their racers through the freestyle course. In hall 8, the German Motorcycle Trade Association (Industrie-Verband Motorrad Deutschland – IVM) will showcase the fascinating world of motorbikes and scooters. Participation is the order of the day in other supporting events too. The outdoor course will test entrants’ mettle in overcoming obstacles and becoming the fastest and most effective in getting from A to B, a skill that comes first and foremost in many games, after all. Trade show visitors can also attend small workshops to learn the basics of this trend discipline straight from the pros. From Thursday to Sunday, the other outdoor exhibitor events will provide perfect entertainment for fans and families alike. Those in need of a break from the hubbub in the halls and the grounds can escape to the gamescom beach, where they can relax and recharge before the next round of show highlights.
“gamesCompetence” unites teaching content and expertise
Youth protection, media learning and instruction in media skills come under the “gamesCompetence” heading at gamescom. This event throws the spotlight on offers from young people for their age group, associations, clubs and institutions, as well as the gamescom congress organised by the state government. Almost 40 exhibitors, among them associations, clubs, and educational facilities, will actively participate in the “gamesCompetence” event highlight. The NRW 2009 Youth Forum in hall 8 hosted in collaboration with Cologne Youth Welfare Office will centre on offers from young people for young people. Also taking part in the “gamesCompetence” programme: the Federal Centre for Political Education (Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung – BpB), the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz – KJM), the Federal Department for Media Harmful to Young Persons (Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien – BPjM) and educational facilities including the University of Cologne. The main highlight of the gamescom days under the sign of youth protection, media learning and expertise is the gamescom congress to be staged under the state government’s auspices on 20 August in the Congress Centre North. The congress, which is free to all, is devoted to the latest debates revolving around the world of computer gaming. The topic of age-appropriate use of interactive media does not only play a role in the specialist part of gamescom – the right way to deal with games will also be demonstrated live in the trade show grounds. To ensure young people are protected at gamescom itself, visitors will be given coloured armbands according to their age. This follows the guidelines of self-regulating software body the USK and enables exhibitors to ensure that games are only played by the age groups they are intended for. Games for players aged 16 and over will be demonstrated in a closed-off area of exhibitor stands. All in all, the offers for parents and teachers, educators, politicians, media and other interested parties at “gamescompetence” range from practical applications and tools all the way to top political discussions.
The gamescom Festival takes the games into the city
The supporting gamescom Festival takes the games into the city where it will address the target group of casual gamers, leisure and occasional players after the trade show closes with lots of fun. The city centre around Rudolfplatz, Friesenplatz and Neumarkt will feature two stages with an entertaining line-up of live acts, while the area between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz will be given over to interactive gaming with show trucks and game modules. The festival will open its doors on 19 August with top European music act Die Toten Hosen who will appear with Gentlemen and other top names to rock the audience in the dancing zone adjoining the trade show grounds. Following the opening ceremony on Wednesday, the city festival in downtown Cologne will provide spectacular entertainment from Friday to Sunday. National and international music acts, interactive gaming and the BÄM Awards will showcase fun from its best angle over three days true to the gamescom motto, “Celebrate the games”.
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
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.
Audiosurf
AUDIOSURF BOXED UP AND IN RETAIL THIS OCTOBER FOR £9.99
Audiosurf is the new way for people to enjoy their music – letting them play it and experience it!
Audiosurf, the puzzle racer that adapts and changes to the beat of your music, will be released by Ascaron in October 2008. Players cruise through futuristic tracks in a spaceship style racer, with the speed, shape and mood of each ride being dictated by the song playing. The music is chosen by the user as they decide between a calm, peaceful journey and an adrenaline fuelled rush.
For £9.99, gaming and music fans alike are provided with endless playability as every track is unique, generated from the song chosen for that particular ride. Slower music creates a calmer, uphill ride, whilst fast and hectic songs will send the player speeding down a steep slope on a bumpy ride. The game supports all the major formats* including MP3 and music straight from iTunes.
The aim is to gain points, accumulated by racing through coloured blocks on different sections of the track. By collecting blocks of the same colour, a cluster is created and the blocks disappear, replaced by points on the scoreboard. Scores can be entered into online international leagues, setup for specific songs. The most popular songs include Knights of Cydonia, by Muse; Viva La Vida, by Coldplay; Propane Nightmares, by Pendulum and I Kissed a Girl, by Katy Perry.
Players can take control of 14 different characters, each with their own abilities. Some are able to jump over, move or drag blocks, whilst others operate two vehicles simultaneously, with the player in control of both. Extra variety is added to the gameplay through a range of power-ups and point gaining tactics, including clearing all blocks collected as the song finishes.
Audiosurf will be in retail in October 2008.
*File formats supported: MP3, iTunes, M4A, CD, OGG
Fast facts:
Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment
Web: www.Ascaron.com
Developer: Dylan Fitterer
Release date: October 2008
PEGI: 3+
Format: PC
Genre: Puzzle Racer
GAMEINVEST Announces Enigma 7 for PC
Mystery and Adventure Await This Summer in a Premium Casual Title from Portugal’s Leading Game Publisher and Developer
Portugal’s leading video games investor, developer and publisher, GAMEINVEST, today announced Enigma 7 for PC download. A new take on the puzzle genre, Enigma 7 will immerse players in a mysterious storyline, challenging them to solve an ancient riddle while racing the clock and completing minigames. Enigma 7 will be available in July through a variety of casual game portals.
“GAMEINVEST is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality game experiences on all platforms for everyone,” said GAMEINVEST founder and CEO Paulo Gomes. “Enigma 7 is our latest title designed exclusively for the casual games market, which immerses players in a deep storyline, beautiful graphics, and challenging puzzles.
Enigma 7 is a mysterious match-3 game with a twist where players take on the role of Joe, a young archeology student searching for his missing girlfriend and colleague, Jane. Before Jane disappeared, she was studying some ancient portals. Joe will have to enter the magical world of Enigma 7 and complete a series of challenges to save her.
Players will journey through game worlds, solve match-3 puzzles, complete minigames, and battle the clock to reach the game’s exciting conclusion – saving Jane! Interact with swap, slide-n-push, or mixed puzzle mechanics to unlock all the riddles and enigmas. Each enigma gives players a key to open one of the seven portals, and each portal will reveal another part of the mystery. Enigma 7 will resonate with all fans of match-3 puzzle games and those who enjoy solving riddles.
For more information on Enigma 7 and the latest screenshots, please visit www.gameinvest.net/pr/enigma7
Tower Bloxx Deluxe for PC out today
The award-winning mobile hit game Tower Bloxx is available for PC! Block dropping has never been as fun nor looked as good…
Reach for the skies in this wacky skyscraper construction game! In Tower Bloxx™ Deluxe, your task is to build brand new homes for the Tower Toons™ – funny little people who move in and turn the lights on before they even have a roof over their heads! It’s a test of skill – the better you drop new floors on the swaying tower, the happier they will be. But it’s windy up there, so you better keep your cool since a mistake might cost you a bunch of floors! Casual one-button game play will get you into building tall towers in no time – but it takes practice to really master Tower Bloxx™ Deluxe. Tower Bloxx Deluxe improves on the award-winning original with amazing new visual effects, more in-depth game play and two brand new game modes and brand new minigame.
As in the original Tower Bloxx, the blocks are dropped on top of each other with an intuitive and extremely fun one-button game mechanic. In Tower Bloxx Deluxe, the beloved core game play remains the same, but sub-goals are added along with achievements, enhanced city building mode and midway targets such as tower upgrades and balcony blocks that add population boosts to your tower.
In the “Play Story” mode the mayor A.Z. Millspaugh and city architect Ava Dandelion of Sycamore Vale has asked you, a renowned tower builder, to quickly help in rebuilding the city since the old residences are falling apart. Luckily your amazing building block system is perfect for the job! And you have Ava to guide you all the way!
Five new districts have been opened for construction on a fresh plot of land for you to work on. By successfully building and improving the districts, you will help the town to grow into a thriving metropolis. The trick is to solve the puzzle for each district – maximizing the number of citizens by building different kinds of Towers, each one getting higher than the former. You will also have to solve the puzzle of placing the Blue Residential, Red Commercial, Green Office and Yellow Luxury towers onto the city grid. But remember, whilst Blue can go anywhere, Red needs Blue as a neighbor, Green needs both Blue and Red and lastly Yellow needs all three colors as neighbors. It sounds easier than it is to get the best score possible!
In Quick Game mode your goal is to make your tower as high as possible and only your improving building skills set the limit to how high you can really go. Build all the way up into space and admire colorful planets and shooting stars amongst many other things.
In Time Challenge mode you get to see how well you do under pressure. Or you can enjoy the game together with friends in the Party Game mode, where up to four people can build towers on the same machine with split-screen fun!
The look and feel of the original Tower Bloxx is taken to a new level with colorful and cheerful graphics, filled with eye-candy and detail never before seen in a casual game. The bright saturated colors and the cartoony blue skied world is enhanced by the 3D aspects of the game. The improved camera angle really shows how high you are and induces a vertigo feeling while climbing up to space…
Tower Bloxx™ Deluxe Features:
-Addictive and fun along with original one-button mechanics
-Stunning visual style and effects
-A more in-depth and immersive Play Story game mode with puzzles and brand new minigame
-Dozens of unlockable game elements
-New comic style characters
-Quick Game mode for building the tallest tower in the universe!
-Time Challenge mode for competing against the clock
-Party Game mode for instant split-screen multiplayer fun for up to four players!
-Achievement system with over 70 individual goals to be achieved
Game is live today at: http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/3500/
Bittertrain, LLC is pleased to announce the release of their innovative puzzle game Flipit: Eons
Captain Eon has lost his place in time and only you can help him find his way back. Manage two game boards at once in this unique action puzzler. Journey through 31 levels in seven chronological environments and collect enough energy to return Captain Eon to the year 3600.
Features:
Travel through 31 time-warped levels.
Explore 7 unique environments.
Collect 15 ship trophies and awards.
Fun and charming graphics.
Refreshing puzzle game mechanics.
“The game appeals to fans of casual puzzle games who desire something different.” says CEO Geoff Schwab. “Flipit: Eons is not a Match-3 clone.”
Flipit: Eons is being distributed by Oberon Media and is available for the purchase price of $19.95 USD. Flipit: Eons can be downloaded through several online retail sites including MSN Games, EA’s Pogo, and IWon. A fully functional and free 60 minute evaluation version is available from MSN Games here:
http://zone.msn.com/en/root/deluxe.htm?code=112586253&RefID=25
Wii sold over 4.02 million consoles worldwide
After shipping 3.19 million units by the end of 2006, Nintendo have sold through a further 830,000 Wii consoles around the world to pass the 4 million mark just before the end of January 2007.
Nintendo aim to ship 6 million by March.
Xbox 8.66 mil units
0.34 m Japan
5.26 m Americas
3.06 m Others
Nintendo Wii 4.02 mil units
1.45 m Japan
1.53 m Americas
1.04 m Others
PlayStation 3 1.63 mil units
0.63 m Japan
1.00 m Americas
source: vgcharts.org
