Former subscribers can play their old characters, check out the LOTRO Anniversary celebration events, explore new areas, and tackle new quests. To take part in the Welcome Back Weekend, players can simply log into their LOTRO account from May 8-12, 2008.

Some of the updates & enhancements to The Lord of the Rings Online since launch include:

* New Region - Explore the icy reaches of Forochel
* New Quests - Over 100 new quests
* Hobby System - Feel like going fishing?
* Enhanced Monsterplay - New monster class: the Orc Defiler
* Looking For Fellowship Enhancements - Mustering Horns and UI improvements
* More customization options - cosmetic clothing, traveling clothes, and barbershops!
* New PvMP dungeon - The Delving of Fror
* Return to Angmar - completely overhauled to enhance playability and fun

More information can be found at www.lotro.com/welcomeback.

Labels: pc

2nd May 2008, Redhill, UK - Philips today announced an amBX license agreement with Texas-based Gamecock Media Group to amBX-enable Legendary and Velvet Assassin.

amBX-enabled trailers of Gamecock's games were recently shown at the second instalment of the Expo For Interactive Entertainment, Independent and Original (E.I.E.I.O.) in Austin, Texas. As a showcase for independent developers, E.I.E.I.O. allows journalists and gamers a chance to get up close and personal with the people that actually make the games.

"Gamecock is another top drawer publisher signing for amBX," commented Jo Cooke, Chief Marketing Officer, amBX. "Our involvement with Gamecock at E.I.E.I.O. allowed us to show off slick amBX trailers for Legendary and Velvet Assassin to not only a huge number of dedicated gamers, but
also the 10,000 music fans attending South by Southwest, Austin's premiere live music, film and entertainment event, taking place the same week. Reaching out to the wider market is very much part of our strategy for amBX for 2008."

Shorthand for 'ambient experiences', amBX reinvents the gameplay experience by extending the traditional gaming world out of the screen and into the real world. amBX delivers full 'surround senses' by allowing developers to use light, colour, sound, rumble and even air flow through enabled devices, including the Philips amBX PC Gaming Peripherals range of LED colour-controlled lighting, rumble peripherals and variable speed desktop fans. Philips is setting a global standard by licensing the amBX technology to content developers, publishers and peripherals manufacturers and Gamecock joins a long list of companies including Ubisoft, Codemasters, THQ, Introversion, Gearbox Software, Gas Powered Games, Zombie, Riot Games, Brain in a Jar, Invictus Games, Instinct Technology, Kuju,
Revolution, Sumo Digital and Rivers Run Red.

A full list of all the latest hardware and software updates, as well as FXGenerator and amBX FXGen+ compatible games and programs, including The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Lost Planet, Crysis, Stranglehold and Need for Speed: ProStreet, can be found at www.ambx.com.

Labels: pc

San Jose, April 28, 2008 - Zyon Games announced their North American website launch of Secret Online today. The website can be found at http://secret.zyongames.com and is the first official English translation of the immensely popular free-to-play Chinese MMORPG dubbed Secret Online. Gamer fans will find a great deal of English content on the site, including such goodies as videos, screen shots, and game play guides.

Secret Online is one of the most anticipated Internet games for North American audiences in 2008. With an active Chinese player base over 10 million strong, Zyon Game's efforts to create content for native English speakers will expand the game's already successful market considerably.

As a free-to-play massive multi-player online adventure game, Secret Online transports users into the dynamic world of ancient Chinese mythology. Featuring beautifully rendered and customizable avatars, the game offers 200 static maps as well as an infinite quest generator spanning 20 unique environmental maps. Secret Online also introduces new play features for MMO gamers, such as a persistent realm history, wherein players permanently affect the time line and events of a particular server - and thus impact the experiences and storyline of other gamers in the same realm.

Fans who register an account on the site's forum will be given priority when Zyon Games selects beta testers for the game in May. The forum allows players to share information and tips on a variety of game-related topics with each other. The forum can be found at http://www.zyongames.com/forum/

"The website is a great place for gamers to see what Secret Online is all about," Said Steven C. Wade, Founder and CEO of Zyon Games. "We will be updating the website with new content and will soon be launching the game itself. So I encourage players to check back frequently."

About Zyon Games
Zyon Games is a start-up venture founded by the precocious online game guru, Steven Wade. The vision behind the company is to bring the very best of games from Asia to western audiences in a variety of languages. With offices in San Jose, California and later Dublin, Ireland, the company is poised to service both the North American and European markets.

Labels: pc

The Sims Is A Global Cultural Phenomenon In 60 Countries And 22 Languages Thanks To Players of The Sims Everywhere

REDWOOD CITY, CA April 16, 2008 - The Sims , a Label of Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced a significant entertainment milestone, celebrating 100 million units sold around the world, thanks to players of The Sims everywhere. The first game from The Sims was sold in 2000 and has gone on to become the best-selling PC game franchise of all time and is sold in 22 languages and 60 countries around the world. The Sims franchise has inspired millions of players to tell stories, create characters, explore relationships, live through generations, design fashions, and build homes and design home interiors for their Sims. TheSims2.com, the vibrant online community of players of The Sims, has more than 4.3 million unique visitors per month, who have downloaded more than 70 million user-generated creations. A place to discover player creativity is on YouTube, where more than 100,000 videos and movies of The Sims have been shared, with about 200 million views.

As a special thank you to players of The Sims, visit TheSims2.com on April 16 th to download a complimentary exclusive outfit for your Sims in honor of this milestone. It's the perfect outfit for your Sims to enjoy a night of celebration!

"At this milestone, we want to thank players of The Sims everywhere for making The Sims such a worldwide phenomenon," said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims Label. " The Sims has been an interactive experience for people around the globe to explore their passion for creativity and we're thrilled to be a part of that. From building houses and relationships, from the first kiss to a toddler's first step, from kitchen fires - and even visits from ghosts, players have told more than 100 million unique and fun stories!"

"The Sims is truly unique in the world of interactive entertainment because it attracts creative people around the world of all ages and both genders," said Nancy Smith, President of The Sims Label. "Because of the open-ended creative freedom that players experience with the game, The Sims has universal appeal like no other game franchise. We thank players everywhere for their creativity, sense of humor and strong sense of community that has made The Sims the cultural phenomenon it is today."

The Sims from EA Mobile has seen phenomenal global success, with more than nine million downloads of The Sims games onto people's mobile devices, The Sims is a market leading downloaded game.

Fun facts to note: if 100 million boxes of The Sims were lined up end-to-end, they would stretch from New York City to Moscow. And, with 100 million sold, one out of seven homes in Europe and one out of three homes in America would have a product from The Sims franchise.

About The Sims Franchise

The Sims franchise celebrates an impressive over 100 million units sold since its launch in 2000. Now translated into 22 different languages in 60 different countries, The Sims has quickly become a universal gaming and cultural phenomenon. For the latest information about The Sims, please visit www.thesims.com. To check out the hottest creations for The Sims 2 made by our community members, please visit www.thesims2.com. To stay up-to-date on The Sims 3 news and information, check out www.thesims3.com.

Labels: pc

U.S. Gold Medal Hopefuls Team Up with SEGA on Official Olympic Video Game

SAN FRANCISCO (April 15, 2008) - SEGA of America, Inc. today announced it is partnering with top U.S. gold medal contenders Amanda Beard, Tyson Gay, Nastia Liukin and Reese Hoffa to appear on the cover of the upcoming video game Beijing 2008 - The Official Video Game of the Olympic Games for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and for the PC. These outstanding U.S. athletes represent the elite in each of their respective sports and are among the favorites to hoist the American flag and bring home gold this summer in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

"These talented individuals epitomize what it is to be an Olympic athlete and we are extremely excited to have them grace the cover of our Beijing 2008 video game," said Sean Ratcliff, VP of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "With Beijing 2008 , SEGA is striving to develop the very best Olympic video game ever and we couldn't be more proud to have them represent our game and our country this summer."

Amanda Beard, a seven time Olympic medalist, is expected to continue her success as she prepares for her fourth Olympic Games this year in Beijing, China. She has competed in the Atlanta 1996 Games, Sydney 2000 Games and Athens 2004 Games, making her one of the most prolific Olympic athletes ever. Amanda became the second youngest gold-medal swimmer in USA swimming history when she won her first gold medal at the Atlanta Games at the age of 14. She currently holds the Olympic Record in the 200m breaststroke and the American record in the 100m breaststroke, 200m breaststroke and 200m individual medley.

Tyson Gay will be sprinting for the title of "Fastest Man on Earth" as he makes his bid to win gold and shatter Olympic Records this year at the Beijing 2008 Games. Last summer, he became a double World Champion at 100m and 200m, and topped that off by winning gold as part of the U.S. 4x100m relay team. Tyson was selected as the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) male World Athlete of the Year for 2007 and is currently ranked #1 in the world.

Nastia Liukin is a Senior International Elite gymnast and is expected to be one of the top contenders on the U.S. Women's Gymnastic Olympic Team. Specializing in uneven bars and balance beam events, she is a two-time world champion, a six-time world medalist, a four-time U.S. National Champion and has won the American Cup titles in 2006 and 2008. Tied for the most ever, Nastia is a nine-time World Championship medalist and is widely considered to be the most graceful and artistic gymnast in the world today.

Reese Hoffa is poised to take home gold in men's shot put, when he makes his second Olympic Games appearance of his career this summer in Beijing. A member of the U.S. Olympic Team in the Athens 2004 Games, he has earned a number of prestigious titles in his shot putting career including 2007 USA outdoor champion, 2006 world indoor champion, 2004 world indoor silver medalist and 2003 Pan American Games gold medalist. Reese is the reigning world champion in shot put and currently ranks 11 th on the world all-time list for the sport.

Beijing 2008 features realistic next-gen visuals and will provide players with an authentic simulation of over 35 events (the most of any Olympic video game) from the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, giving gamers the opportunity to compete in, and get an early look at, many of the official venues. The online functionality of all three platforms will ensure that for the very first time, fans of the Olympic Games will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other gamers across the globe in the world's greatest sporting event. The game will also incorporate innovative control schemes that allow novice gamers to learn how to play the game, while providing experienced gamers the chance to set new records.

Developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software, Beijing 2008 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC is set for release in the summer of 2008. For further information, please go to www.olympicvideogames.com.

Labels: pc, playstation 3, xbox 360

2K Games announced today that Mafia II, the sequel to the award-winning classic that has sold more than 2 million units worldwide, is currently in development for simultaneous release on PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and Games For Windows platforms.

Mafia II provides a beautifully crafted look into the dark and unforgiving world of the Mob. Expanding upon the original hit that captivated more than two million gamers, 2K Czech takes players deeper into the Mafia with a mature and compelling narrative that will immerse players like never before. Drawing on the experience it garnered from working on the critically acclaimed Mafia and Hidden & Dangerous series,
2K Czech's look at mob life in the 1950s will immerse gamers in the seedy criminal underworld that makes up Mafia II.

Labels: pc, playstation 3, xbox 360

Popular PC Gaming Franchise Offers Five Innovative City-Building Games in One Box at One Low Price

REDWOOD CITY, CA. - April 10, 2008 - Today Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced The SimCityT Box, a bundled pack of five games from the world-renowned SimCityT franchise. The SimCity Box contains SimCity Societies, SimCity Societies Destinations, SimCity 4, SimCity 4Rush Hour and The Sims CarnivalT SnapCity. Valued at approximately $100.00 USD, The SimCity Box will be available this June in North America at the affordable price of $39.99 USD.

"The SimCity Box is the perfect opportunity to discover the fun of city building with SimCity," said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims. "This is the greatest value SimCity has ever offered and players
everywhere can get hands-on with a wide range of SimCity products from one box at an amazing price."

* SimCity Societies: In SimCity Societies, players construct not only the cities they desire, but mold their cultures, societal tendencies and environments as well. They can build artistic cities, authoritarian dictatorships, spiritual communities and many more. With this accessible, innovative and versatile city-builder, players can create the city of their dreams, or their nightmares. With more than 500 buildings and decorative objects to place, the possibilities are almost limitless. Since launch, four free game updates have added new strategic modes that will challenge your mayoral skills, three new exotic disasters (UFO invasion, giant robot attack and a massive fire-breathing monster) new crises, new UI functions, new buildings and much more. More free content and features are being
planned for future updates.

* SimCity Societies Destinations: SimCity Societies Destinations enhances the SimCity Societies experience by providing all the tools players need to create an entire city or town based on attractions and amenities that visitors enjoy. With an enhanced map generator, players can identify each city's opportunity for diversion and the city can capitalize on that draw. From sprawling theme parks and tropical beach resorts to country hiking trails, players can control more than 100 new buildings to create their customized destination.

* SimCity 4: Right from the start in SimCity 4, players will experience new God-like powers of creation as they lay the groundwork for their cities by molding mountains, carving valleys, seeding forests and laying rivers. With these new landscape creation features, players can now construct the most realistic metropolis imaginable.

* SimCity 4 Rush Hour: In SimCity 4 Rush Hour, players take control of their city's transportation with a wide variety of new options. They can create the elevated train networks of Chicago, the wide-avenues of New York, or the one-way streets of San Francisco. Players can develop a seamless mass-transit system including monorail, subway, or even a scenic ferry service that connects to a greater regional travel network. With all-new problem-solving maps and tracking tools, players can see the pulsing flow of traffic, map out the most efficient routes, and quickly get their Sims from one city to another.

* The Sims Carnival SnapCity: The Sims Carnival SnapCity is a unique city-building simulation game with a puzzle twist that is both strategic and accessible. In a fun, open-ended gameplay environment, players are challenged to position falling, colored blocks in just the right places to build the best possible cities. Featuring an array of industrial, commercial and residential neighborhoods, it's never the same city twice! The fun never stops as you save your city from natural disasters, man-made catastrophes, even out-of-this-world alien attacks!Players can also pick-up-and-play by jumping into 25 unique existing neighborhood levels.

The SimCity franchise is one of the most popular PC gaming franchises in history, having sold more than 17 million games worldwide to date since the SimCity launch in 1989.
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Labels: pc

A-list Hollywood talent crush their way into upcoming videogame
based on the action-thriller

SAN FRANCISCO & LONDON (April 9, 2008) - Marvel Entertainment, Inc., SEGA of America, Inc and SEGAR Europe Ltd. today announced that all prominent cast members from the upcoming action-thriller from Universal Pictures and Marvel Studios, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, will also lend their
voices and likeness to the video game of the same name, slated to release with the film in June 2008. Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson and William Hurt will all take part in the game as
their respective characters. Based on the film and the popular comic book series created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, THE INCREDIBLE HULKT is being developed by Edge of Reality and published by SEGA for next-generation consoles and the PC.

SEGA brings the film's A-list actors to the game to create a more authentic experience. Edward Norton (Fight Club, The Italian Job, The Illusionist) plays scientist Bruce Banner, a man desperately seeking to rid himself of the unbridled force of rage within him: The Hulk. Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Strangers) is Dr. Betty Ross, Banner's love interest, while Tim Roth (Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction) voices Emil Blonsky (alter ego of The Hulk's archenemy, The Abomination). Tim Blake Nelson (Syriana, Meet the Fockers) portrays Dr. Samuel Sterns, and William Hurt (Into the Wild, The Village) plays General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, the man who wants to capture The Hulk and brutally exploit his power.

Fast-paced and action-packed, the blockbuster franchise and comic book saga will unfold for the first time on next-generation platforms, as Banner scours the planet trying to find anything to help him fight his involuntary rage. Take the role of one of MarvelR's most powerful Super Heroes in THE INCREDIBLE HULKT, an intensely realistic third-person action video game. Gamers can demolish anything in their path, including lampposts, passing cars and even buildings. The fury-fueled game also features key moments from the film, as well as additional plotlines and characters from THE INCREDIBLE HULK universe. Players crash through New York City, battling gigantic enemies amidst soaring skyscrapers in a massive open world.

Labels: pc, playstation 3, xbox 360

BioWare today announces an entirely new Tactical Heads-Up Display (HUD) for Mass Effect on the PC. The new HUD allows players to access the Individual Squad Command, Biotics powers and Abilities and Weapons command interfaces all in one screen, and can be accessed simply by pressing the space bar. The new Tactical HUD makes executing a variety of important commands a very natural and quick experience so players can get back into the action.

Originally released for the Xbox360 in November 2007, Mass Effect, a sci-fi epic, has garnered over eighty awards as it puts players in the role of Commander Shepard, the first human member of an elite military squad. Mass Effect features real-time, squad-based combat, allowing players the ability to issue specific orders to each individual squad member via the new Tactical HUD. Once activated, players can order squad members to take up key positions in combat, switch weapons, or unleash deadly Biotic powers and abilities. This gives the player the ability to combine commands and create new offensive and defensive strategies. Mass Effect for the PC will be available in May 2008.

Labels: pc

New Tom Clancy Intellectual Property Poised to Become the New Air Combat Benchmark

For the HD trailer, please follow this link:

http://files.us.ubisoft.com/hawx_trailer_us_1080.zip

SAN FRANCISCO - April 3rd, 2008 - Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announces the development of Tom Clancy's HAWX (high-altitude warfare), an awe-inspiring game that is primed to revolutionize the way players think about combat in the sky. Scheduled for release in Fall 2008, Tom Clancy's HAWX turns consumers into elite pilots of the future. The game will appear on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system and on Windows-based PC.

"Tom Clancy's HAWX marks the next evolution of warfare set in the Tom Clancy video game universe," said Tony Key, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Ubisoft. "We are thrilled to take to the skies and provide a new environment along with an extension of a familiar storyline from Ubisoft's successful Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2."

Developed by Ubisoft's Bucharest studio, Tom Clancy's HAWX delivers an intense and authentic aerial combat experience by fully leveraging the benefits of the next-generation platforms. The story begins in the year 2012. As the era of the nation-state draws quickly to a close, the rules of warfare evolve even more rapidly. More and more nations become increasingly dependent on private military companies (PMCs), elite mercenaries with a lax view of the law. The Reykjavik Accords further legitimize their existence by authorizing their right to serve in every aspect of military operations. While the benefits of such PMCs are apparent, growing concerns surrounding giving them too much power begin to mount.

Tom Clancy's HAWX is the first air combat game set in the world-renowned Tom Clancy video game universe. Cutting-edge technology, devastating firepower and intense dogfights bestow upon this new title a deserving place in the prestigious Tom Clancy franchise. Soon, flying at Mach 3 becomes a right, not a privilege.

Key Features of Tom Clancy's HAWX:

. ENHANCED REALITY SYSTEM (E.R.S.) - E.R.S. is in-game technology that helps turn novice aviators into elite pilots of the future. The Enhanced Reality System is the backbone of the HAWX flight experience: radars and incoming missile detection, anti-crash system, damage control system, tactical map and information relay, and weapons trajectory control. E.R.S. also allows players to issue orders to their squadron, making this system as iconic to HAWX as the Cross-Com system is to Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.

. ASSISTANCE MODE - Players can ease into their flight missions and gain a level of comfort with the use of the assistance mode. Once employed, players can take full advantage of their technological support through the E.R.S and gain maximum piloting security. If the situation calls for the player to unleash the full potential of the aircraft, the assistance mode can be switched off and all safety features will be deactivated. This comes with increased risks, but allows the player advanced dogfighting maneuvers and stunning third-person views.

. REVOLUTIONARY MULTIPLAYER - For the first time ever in the air-combat genre, players will be able to experience the entire solo campaign in four-player JUMP IN co-op mode. In PVP mode, players can challenge up to 15 friends in intense dogfighting sessions and find out who's the top gun. Winning players are rewarded with experience points and money to unlock more weapons.

. REALISM AND AUTHENTICITY - Players have the opportunity to take the throttle of over 50 of the world's most famous aircrafts, as well as being able to dogfight over realistic modern landscapes that have endured years of post-war trauma.

For more information on Tom Clancy's HAWX, please visit www.hawxgame.com.

Labels: pc, playstation 3, xbox 360

2Moons "Bad Moons Rising" Game Update Released

Major 2Moons update featuring all new maps, monsters, pets, quests, and items

Los Angeles (March 31, 2008) - Acclaim Games announces the highly anticipated release of the "Bad Moons Rising" game update with tons of new content for 2Moons, a free to play extreme action Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) for PC.

Bad Moons Rising is the first major update of 2Moons for 2008. Players will be captivated by all the latest content and new game features included in this major update, which includes brand new areas, dungeons, quests, monsters, skills and equipment.

"Acclaim is growing rapidly and our coordination of new content into our games has been massively improved, our goal is to deliver major updates like this every 90-120 days and the next two major updates are already on the way. It's going to be a very exciting year for 2Moons players," says David Perry, the game's Director.

Two new maps called Space of Pilgrimage and Aquirai Ruins will feature all new and exciting content, with hordes of new monsters and bosses to defeat. New dungeons such as the Nest of Cherubim will also challenge players and test their skills. New quests have also been added for players to complete for various items and rewards.

The Bad Moons Rising update introduces a new pet system, providing players with new companions that will accompany them on adventures and help collect items. You can choose from 3 pets currently available (Ariel, Woody, and Wiki) with more to be added in future item updates. Mounts have also been upgraded for greater speed, so players can travel much faster when riding these mythical creatures across the 2Moons environment.

Players can also check out some of the all new skills, weapons, and armor sets that are specific to their character class to enhance their characters for the bloodiest of battles.

Some new game modifications have been made specifically for beginning players. Low level quests have been renewed and new monsters have been added for beginners. Also, players from level 1 to 60 can receive special items to help boost their character’s stats.

The latest game update will also feature increased security and spam control to help ensure a more safe and enjoyable gaming experience for all 2Moons players.

It's a new day in 2Moons, but the Bad Moons are Rising.

2Moons is a free to play MMORPG targeted to hardcore gamers who want to experience an epic story, intense fighting action, and extreme violence. Players can register, download the game, and play for free by visiting www.2moonsgame.com .

Labels: pc

New Social Gaming Web Site Introducing the Highly Anticipated Expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online Launches Today!


WESTWOOD, MA - March 31, 2008 - Turbine, Inc. and Codemasters Online today announced the launch of an innovative new social gaming web site introducing The Lord of the Rings Online : Mines of Moria , the first expansion to the 2007 PC Game of the Year*. Players across North America and Europe are invited to begin their journey to Moria by visiting www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com to get up-to-date information about Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online . Players will discover the secrets of Moria with several fun, interactive mini-games inspired by the Books of J.R.R. Tolkien. Registered participants can challenge themselves and their friends to earn special deeds that unlock unique rewards including exclusive videos, images, and in-game items that will aid them on their journey into Moria this fall.

"The ‘Unlock the Mines of Moria' campaign is part of an innovative launch strategy that offers players an interactive social gaming destination where they can individually and collectively delve into the first major expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online," said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "Whether you are new to the world of Middle-earth or a long time member of our community, we invite everyone to explore and share the wonders of Moria."

King Under the Mountain , launching today, is the first of many mini-games where players from around the world can interact as they commence their quest into Moria. The mini-game is based on the story of the excavation and building of Khazad-Dum, the Dwarven capital and grandest of cities. The game finds its origin from an old Dwarven game containing items that Dwarves love most - caverns, gems and fighting. Players who register at http://www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com can play solo or battle against friends in this highly entertaining tactical strategy mini-game. Visitors do not need to be subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online to register.

The Lord of the Rings Online is the award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game, (MMORPG) that delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to the great underground realm of Moria, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before. The Lord of the Rings Online is available for purchase at major retailers across North America and Europe. For more information, please visit www.lotro.com.

Labels: pc

The Ultimate Warhammer Online Experience Includes Exclusive Miniature, Original Graphic Novel, Bonus Quests and Rewards, Art Book, and More

Fairfax, Virginia, March 26, 2008 - EA Mythic, a division of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS), today unveiled the first details of the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning ( WAR) Collector's Edition. This premium, limited edition of EA Mythic's massively-multiplayer online role-playing game will be packed with bonus in-game content and unique collectibles unavailable elsewhere, including an exclusive Games Workshop miniature. Only 60,000 copies of the Collector's Edition will be available in North America, and those who pre-order the product will receive additional exclusives. The WAR Collector's Edition carries an MSRP of $79.99, and is available for pre-order in North America at Best Buy, GameStop, EB and GameCrazy retail stores, and online at GameStop.com, EBGames.com, BestBuy.com, Amazon.com, GoGamer.com and EAStore.com.

"Collecting has been a part of the Warhammer hobby experience for 25 years, and this special Collector's Edition continues the tradition with exclusive offerings, including an official Games Workshop miniature," said Mark Jacobs, VP and General Manager, EA Mythic. "We are bringing the quintessential elements of Warhammer - tabletop miniatures, incredible fantasy art, and delightfully grim fiction - along with exciting in-game bonus content, together in what is sure to be one of the premier Collector's Editions of all time."

The WAR Collector's Edition will include:

EXCLUSIVE Games Workshop Miniature - Grumlok and Gazbag

From the Age of Reckoning to your tabletop battle! Based on original characters from the MMORPG and designed by Games Workshop specifically for the Collector's Edition, this official Warhammer metal miniature depicts the Greenskin warboss, GRUMLOK, and his shaman, GAZBAG, in rich detail. (Assembly and painting required.)

Original Graphic Novel - Warhammer Online: prelude to war

The forces of Order and Destruction collide under the red Chaos moon! Commissioned exclusively for the Collector's Edition, Warhammer Online: PRELUDE TO WAR is a full-color, 128-page hardcover graphic novel that sets the stage for the start of the game. Written by acclaimed Games Workshop writer Graham McNeill, the oversized book is richly illustrated by Chad Hardin, Joe Abraham, Rahsan Ekedal, Tony Parker, and Kevin Hopgood. Each of the graphic novel's six chapters tells a unique story about the armies in the game, and together they detail the events leading up to the Age of Reckoning:

ART BOOK - THE ART OF WARHAMMER ONLINE

A stunning collection of art that gave birth to the Age of Reckoning. THE ART OF WARHAMMER ONLINE is a 224-page hardcover collection of original art from the game. Each of the glossy, full-color pages showcases the talented work of our concept artists and offers a glimpse at a world in the making.

Bonus In-Game ITEM - The Librams Of Insight

Wisdom is its own reward. Readers of the Librams of Insight are granted special insight into their own actions and earn experience at a higher rate for a limited time. (XP-gain modifier for 60 minutes, 3 uses, 90 minute reuse timer.)

Bonus In-Game Content - Quests, Rewards, and Titles

New adventures and just rewards await players on the battlefields of WAR! Purchasers of the Collector's Edition will begin their adventures in the Age of Reckoning with twelve (12) bonus quests awaiting them in their Tome of Knowledge. Each quest offers an exciting in-game reward, as well as a unique character title, to those that complete the challenges before them.

Bonus In-Game Content - Character Heads

Stand out in a crowd with a look unlike anyone else's! The WAR Collector's Edition includes twelve (12) bonus heads for additional character customization options. Each race gets a truly distinctive look (with male and female versions) that is sure to turn heads on the battlefields and be the envy of everyone in the army.

As an added bonus, players who pre-order the Collector's Edition will receive two exclusive in-game items, guaranteed access to the Open Beta, and special early access to the live game.

For more information about the Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning Collector's Edition, the bonus in-game content, and the North American pre-order offer, visit www.warhammeronline.com/collectorsedition/. For information about the European Collector's Edition and pre-order program, visit www.war-europe.com/collectorsedition/.

Based on Games Workshop's epic and longstanding tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm (RvR) gameplay that immerses players in a world of perpetual conflict. Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is scheduled for launch on the PC in the Fall of 2008.

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Labels: pc

Add-on to PC Gamer's 2007 Sim Game of the Year Includes German Campaign

SAN FRANCISCO -March 24, 2008 - Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that Silent HunterR: Wolves of the Pacific U-Boat Missions, an add-on to the critically acclaimed Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific submarine simulation, is available for direct download from Ubi.com and direct2drive.com. Developed by Ubisoft Romania, the add-on will allow players to prowl the Pacific Theater during WWII as the captain of a German submarine. U-Boat Missions offers players a variety of new features and content including an entirely fresh and innovative strategic element, new playable submarines, an improved navigation map, improved upgrade system, and more. Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific U-Boat Missions is rated "T" for Teen and has an MSRP of $9.95.

Key Features:

. German Campaign in the Indian Ocean: The new campaign spans from

July 1943 until end of war, in May 1945. Players will operate from such far-off Japanese naval bases as Penang, Singapore, Jakarta and Surabaya.

. Strategic Warfare: As the player rises in rank and experience he

gains access to new strategic resources, such as recon aircraft that track down enemy shipping and even battle groups that can help wipe out superior enemy forces.

. New Playable Submarines: Take to the seas in the long-range Type

IX-D2 U-boat and the revolutionary Walther propulsion type XVIII U-boat.

Learn the strengths and weaknesses of these boats and how you can overcome even elite, late-war Allied destroyers with high-speed hit-and-run attacks.

. Heroes: Based on actual historical figures, new crewmembers add

a number of special abilities that can change the fate of battle and save the ship when the time is right, as well as adding historical color to the game.

A free mission is also available for download from Fileplanet.com. The mission, Tokyo Express, is a race against the clock to intercept a Japanese supply convoy on its way to the Solomon Islands.

About Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific:

Developed by Ubisoft's studio in Romania and named PC Gamer's 2007 Sim Game of the Year, Silent Hunter: Wolves of the Pacific takes players to the depths of the Pacific Ocean as the skipper of a WWII American submarine. Immersed in this intense environment with the help of amazing graphics and sound, players will engage in massive battles with enemy units, manage and evolve an entire submarine crew, and earn promotions and commendations to ensure victory in the Pacific.

Labels: pc

Ignition Entertainment's Highly Anticipated Survival Horror Title Will Ship to North American Retailers on March 25 th, 2008



Marina Del Ray, Calif.- March 19, 2008 -Ignition Entertainment Ltd., a worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, and co-publisher Playlogic today announced that Obscure: The Aftermath has reached Gold Master status! It is scheduled for release on March 25, 2008, for Wii home video game system from Nintendo ($29.99), PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system ($19.99) and PC ($14.99).



"Survival horror gamers have been anxiously waiting for this game, and we're pleased to announce that it is ready to go," said Ajay Chadha, president of Ignition Entertainment USA. "We are all excited about this release. Retailers are anticipating its arrival and gamers are ready to get playing. We have had phenomenal feedback with our live action trailers from hardcore gamers, industry professionals, and the public at large. It has been a pleasure working on this title and exercising our diverse marketing techniques."



The story of Obscure: The Aftermath follows the survivors from Leafmore High, now enrolled at Fallcreek University, where the unsuspecting student body has a new addiction - strange black flowers that have suddenly sprung up all over campus. As the students begin experimenting with the substance they realize there is more to these flowers, turning their bad trips into a horrible reality. Obscure: The Aftermath is heavily inspired by teen horror movies with an onslaught of creepy gruesome imagery. This title includes mind-bending puzzles, an all-new 2-player co-op gameplay mode, and an awesome hair-raising soundtrack



To learn more about Obscure: The Aftermath visit the official website at www.obscureaftermath.com.



Obscure: The Aftermath is rated 'M' for Mature by the ESRB.



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Labels: nintendo wii, pc, playstation 2, wii

EA REVEALS FIRST DETAILS OF NEXT-GENERATION FLAGSHIP PC GAME,

THE SIMS 3, COMING IN 2009

The Sims 3 Gives You Complete Freedom Inspiring You With Endless Creative Possibilities



REDWOOD CITY, CA - March 19, 2008 - Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today the first details on one of interactive entertainment's most anticipated games, The Sims 3. Featuring a brand new engine that has been in development for nearly three years, The Sims 3 allows you to immerse your unique Sims in an open living neighborhood right outside their door. The initial feature-set unveiled includes the new seamless, open neighborhood, new Create A Sim, new realistic personalities and new unlimited customization. The Sims 3 will launch globally in 2009.

The Sims franchise has long been recognized for its appeal to a universal audience, both male and female, and at any age. Its broad appeal and loyal The Sims community has vaulted the franchise to an impressive 98 million games sold around the world and translated into 22 different languages. Celebrated for its creativity, humor, and community, The Sims franchise has become a global and cultural phenomenon since its inception in 2000.

Now, The Sims 3 is being designed to be the next-generation flagship game from The Sims Label.

"In The Sims 3, Sims can go beyond the boundaries of their home lot, and immerse themselves in an open, living neighborhood, interacting with other Sims using our new deeper personality system," said Rod Humble, Head of The Sims Studio. "It is this type of open-ended gameplay that inspires endless creative possibilities. In addition the new goals and rewards systems will give players of all kinds from core gamers to storytellers the ability to enjoy long-term gameplay."

New Seamless, Open Neighborhood - Explore the Neighborhood Freely.

See the sights with your Sims! The new seamless neighborhood architecture allows your Sims to roam freely around the neighborhood and visit their loved one and friends—or foes. Discovering other Sims homes and families, traveling around to new locations like City Hall or the local park will create a whole new way of life for your Sims. Storytelling options will multiply as your Sims stroll downtown to meet new acquaintances, head across town for lunch, spy on their neighbors and bump into the boss when they least expect it.

New Create A Sim - Create Any Sim You Can Imagine.

In addition to the open, living neighborhood, the all-new Create-a-Sim interface will feature easy-to-use design tools that allow you to make truly detailed Sims that are more realistic than ever. Create-a-Sim gives you the incredible freedom to customize just about any Sim you can imagine. From thin to full-figured to muscular—everything in between and even the extreme! In addition to determining your Sims body shape and size, you will also be able to fine-tune every feature on their faces, customize their hair style and select their skin tone, all from a vast selection of options. With so many choices to choose from, it is fun to create more realistic characters that look like you, someone you want to look like, or even a famous personality.

New Realistic Personalities - Every Sim Is A Unique Person, With A Distinct Personality

With the innovative and proprietary Realistic Personality System in The Sims 3, you can attribute each character with five distinct personality traits, helping shape your Sims behavior and how they interact with others and their surroundings. This new system will empower you to create extremely complex and diverse in-game personalities. Will you create the nosy, inappropriate, kleptomaniac grandmother who loves to meddle in other people's business? Or the commitment-phobic, hot-headed punk rocker whose rude nature and childish disposition keeps him from scoring a date? In The Sims 3, Sims will go beyond the basic set of day-to-day needs to be distinct individuals with multifaceted personalities, who can focus both on short-term opportunities and long-term goals. With a wide selection of personality traits to mix and match, more than 700 million combinations of Sims await. You never know who'll meet in The Sims 3!



New Unlimited Customization - Everyone Can Customize Everything!

New and accessible creativity tools in The Sims 3 make it simple for anyone to customize anything, anywhere! From floors to flowers, fashions to sofas, wallpaper to window shades and more, The Sims 3 gives you all the flexibility and options you need to be the architect of your dream house or explore your interior design skills to outfit your ultimate home. Your Sims can make home an ultra-deluxe mansion, a cool bachelor pad, family's dream home or charming cottage. The choice is yours in The Sims 3.



"The new engine and technologies in The Sims 3 are designed to unleash the player's imagination with realistic looking Sims who have distinct personalities and a seamless living neighborhood for them to discover," added Ben Bell, Executive Producer on The Sims 3. "Players are going to be thrilled by the level of realism in The Sims 3!"



For more information visit www.TheSims3.com.

Labels: pc

Avoid the spring thaw with Games for Windows branded title, “LOST PLANET™ COLONIES EDITION”

Spring may be on its way, but gamers can still enjoy a frozen thrill with Games for Windows branded title, “Lost Planet™: Extreme Condition COLONIES EDITION.” The new edition of the blockbuster from Capcom ramps up the multiplayer experience with cross-platform gameplay via Games for Windows – LIVE and Xbox LIVE, allowing the Windows PC and Xbox 360 communities to come together in furious online matches for domination of E.D.N. III’s frozen wastelands, while also taking advantage of 4 new maps and 6 new online game play modes. Now gamers can even turn the tables on their fellow snow pirates and play as a giant, menacing alien Akrid in the inventive Akrid Hunter online mode. “Lost Planet COLONIES EDITION” also retains the best of the original single-player campaign with three new modes that offer gamers innovative, exciting challenges.

Additionally, since “Lost Planet COLONIES EDITION” sports the Games for Windows brand, gamers are assured of a quality, user-friendly experience. Games for Windows titles offer easier installation, widescreen compatibility, 64-bit OS support and support for Windows Vista’s gaming features, ensuring a safe, easy and fun experience.

“Lost Planet COLONIES EDITION” is rated “T” for teen audiences, and will hit store shelves in late spring for the estimated retail price of $29.99.

Labels: pc, xbox 360