2007 proves a Blockbuster Holiday Season for Xbox 360

Here are some breaking sales figures:

• Microsoft has sold more than 17.7 million Xbox 360 consoles worldwide
• Microsoft has sold more than 8.1 million copies of “Halo 3” since its launch on September 26 2007
• “Mass Effect” reached 1.6 million units sold, in just six weeks since it went on sale on November 20 2007
• Consumers spend more on Xbox software and accessories, with a record-high software attach rate of 6.9, according to NPD

Microsoft is proud of the contributions Xbox 360 is making to the gaming industry, and looks forward to an even more successful 2008.

Stargate Worlds MMORPG Sneak Peek Coming

Stargate Atlantis returns on Jan. 4 at 10/9 p.m. EST/CST.

Starting Jan. 18, 2008, viewers can enter for a chance to win an opportunity to have their name or likeness incorporated into Stargate Worlds in the Unlock the Gate Sweepstakes.* Viewers are invited to watch Stargate Atlantis each Friday starting on Jan. 18, 2008 at 10/9c on SciFi to retrieve a unique code to enter the sweepstakes.

“We have spent years looking for a quality gaming partner to extend the Stargate franchise beyond television and DVDs,” said Travis J. Rutherford, executive vice president, MGM Consumer Products and Location Based Entertainment. “This trailer is an exciting preview of that extension, and we are proud to have the opportunity to debut it as part of the Stargate Atlantis return. Our fans will jump at the chance to have their likeness incorporated in the MMORPG and become a part of Stargate history.”

Based on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s (MGM) Stargate franchise, Stargate Worlds features tactical modern combat vs. science-fiction weapons and instant travel across the galaxy in a story-driven MMORPG.

“The trailer will give gamers and fans a glimpse at what they can expect to find in Stargate Worlds,” said Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. “It’s a mix of old and new elements that hint at the direction we are taking the franchise.”

In Stargate Worlds, gamers will explore new worlds and encounter ancient, alien cultures across an evolving galaxy. While staying true to the spirit of the Stargate franchise to which its fans have become familiar, Stargate Worlds will also introduce new worlds, characters and action to the Stargate universe that are far beyond the scale that can be shown on television.

“Stargate Worlds is about instant adventure in an epic, evolving universe,” said Stargate Worlds studio head Dan Elggren. “That’s what fans and gamers are going to see in this trailer.”

Stargate Worlds is based on Stargate SG-1 and the show’s spin off Stargate Atlantis. Stargate SG-1 is the longest-running science fiction series in US television history, airing 213 episodes over 10 years.

Game Camp Uses Unreal Tournament 3 to Teach Game Development Skills

So what’s the best way to teach technology, and more specifically, the emerging field of video game development, to teens? Campbell, CA based iD Tech Camps, America’s largest national youth summer computer camp, thinks it has the answer. Instruction is broken into manageable parts and classes promote hands-on learning in small groups of just 6 or 7 students—a big departure from a typical school classroom of 30. Topics at the camp focus on the interests of teens. And who wouldn’t want to make their own video game? The small peer group collaboration and emphasis on experimentation encourage exploration and creativity in the rapidly expanding field of video game development.

“We provide an environment where instruction is personalized and fluid,” said Pete Ingram-Cauchi, president and CEO of iD Tech Camps. “Teens choose our computer camp because we have the cutting edge software and tools that are most relevant in the industry. Partnering with industry leaders like Epic Games is vital. They believe in our teaching philosophy. They understand that a key component to offering the best tech courses involves instruction of the industry’s leading game engine, Unreal Engine 3, as provided with the Unreal Tournament 3 game.”

Midway, a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, and world-renowned developer Epic Games, Inc., recently announced that the highly anticipated and award-winning Unreal Tournament 3 game has shipped for PC. Building off of the massive success of Gears of War, the 2006 Game of the Year, Epic Games has brought the world’s premiere and multi-million unit selling first-person shooter back to the PC. Students at iD Tech Camps will get instruction on the Unreal Engine 3 tools that ship as part of the Unreal Tournament 3 PC version. This way they are getting training in a world-class professional game engine that has also been used in award-winning, million-selling, games including Gears of War, Mass Effect and BioShock.

“We’ve partnered with iD Tech Camps because of their reputation for quality game development instruction for teens,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Unreal Tournament 3 delivers unparalleled game quality that gamers have come to know and expect from Epic Games. We are reaching an audience of gaming enthusiasts who play the game as well as learn to design and mod with our deep set of tools.”

iD Tech Camps and the iD Gaming Academy use the recently released Unreal Tournament 3 in their curriculum and during NVIDIA-hosted Gaming Tournaments. Students will be able to modify Unreal Tournament 3 by adding new levels, redesigning skins or replacing characters to customize game play through interactive modding tools. They can also create 3D video games and design 3D environments and levels complete with advanced special effects.

The “couch potato” characterization of video game players is being tossed out the window. Players no longer passively play; they build their own environments, characters and strategies. Educators and manufacturers are responding by providing the training, technology and tools that allow users to be more than just players.

Happy New Years, Every one we hope you have a great day, And enjoy the rest of 2008, With great articles to come, We wish you the best of 2008.

From Ready-Up.Com, And the manager of this Blog. Thank you.

xFire Announces Clan & Guild System

“We see the Clan and Guild system as the next logical step in growing the Xfire community,” say Adam Boyden, General Manager, Xfire, Inc. “The feature was widely requested in the Xfire forums, and we are excited to give our users what they want.”

The Xfire Clan and Guild system includes features such as calendar alerts, real-time clan or guild news updates, free forums, and automatic friend updates. When an Xfire user joins a new clan, other clan members will automatically appear on the new user’s friends list, eliminating the need to add dozens of connections manually. Xfire will also track the total hours spent playing games and compile all user stats into one aggregation.

The easy-to-use Clan and Guild system is available now on Xfire Clans & Guilds.

Linkin Park, Mastadon and The Used highlight Guitar Hero III Downloadable Content

The Warner/Reprise Track Pack includes master recordings of “No More Sorrow,” by Linkin Park, “Sleeping Giant,” by Mastadon and “Pretty Handsome Awkward,” by The Used. The single song downloads offer such popular singles as “So Payaso,” from Extremoduro, “Antisocial” from Trust, and “Ernten Was Wir Säen” from Die Fantastischen Vier.

After downloading the new tracks, Guitar Hero® fans are encouraged to visit Guitar Hero Community – Home to enter fret-bending competitions with the opportunity to win various prizes.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock contains explosive new content and features including a multiplayer action-inspired battle mode, grueling boss battles, a host of exclusive unlockable content and visually stunning rock venues. Expanded online multiplayer game modes allow axe-shredders worldwide to compete head-to-head for true rock status. The game features a star-studded soundtrack including master tracks by legendary artists such as Aerosmith, Guns ‘N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam, as well as original songs by guitar icons Slash and Tom Morello. While continuing to retain all the key features from their prior legendary performances, fresh downloadable content will be available on multiple platforms, and players can now shred to a killer set list from many of the most popular rock songs ever recorded.

For the first time ever, Guitar Hero fans are able to thrash and burn with new wireless guitar controllers available for each platform, including exclusive Gibson Guitar’s Les Paul model for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system gamers also get to shred on a new exclusive shape, Gibson’s Kramer guitar, popularized by hard rockers and known for its body design, pickups, electronics and construction for furious finger fretting.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, developed by Neversoft, is rated “T” for Teen by the ESRB, and is currently available at North American retailers. For more information about the Guitar Hero franchise, please visit the dedicated community site:

EA Announced Development of TIBERIUM

Tiberium is a mysterious extraterrestrial crystal that shatters the energy output of traditional fossil fuels. It has the power to save our civilization; it also has the power to destroy it. For eleven years, an alien tower has stood dormant, looming like an unholy mountain over a wasteland once known as the Mediterranean Sea. The tower was thought to be a relic of the Third Tiberium War; a devastating war fought for control over Tiberium crystal. It is not a relic. It is not dormant. Deep within the tower, plans are in motion for an alien invasion. This is where the Tiberium adventure begins.

Players step into the shoes of Forward Battle Commander Ricardo Vega and will assemble an assortment of elite squads to combat the global crisis. Armed with an arsenal of weapons including a transforming personal weapon system, multi-launch homing missiles, capital ship bombardments and tactical ion cannon strikes, Vega will lead the fight from the front lines.

Featuring a unique blend of first-person shooting and tactical squad combat, players will control multiple infantry, armour, and air squads as the fight escalates. In Tiberium, Vega is the most powerful presence on the battlefield, and the squads are his most decisive weapon. Players can take multi-squad control combat into single-player or bring the action into online multiplayer battles.

Chris Plummer, executive producer at EA Los Angeles, said: “After two years of pre-production, it is exciting to finally reveal this game and its rich fiction to the world. We’ve put a lot of effort into evolving the tactical shooter experience by taking core gameplay compulsions like commanding, choice and dominating your enemies and delivering them in first-person. Some of the weapons and mechanics are truly innovative for a first-person game. We’re very proud to be part of a project that has the potential to really make a mark on the canon of sci-fi fantasy fiction.”

Mike Verdu, VP and General Manager at EA Los Angeles added, “EALA has a long history of developing groundbreaking real-time strategy games with the Command & Conquer series. That series also originally introduced the Tiberium universe to gamers worldwide. Now, we are growing Tiberium from a simple backdrop to a fully realized universe with its own unique, hybrid squad-based shooter gameplay. This is the birth of a new franchise – we couldn’t be more excited.”

Developed at EA Los Angeles, Tiberium will be available worldwide in autumn 2008 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, and PC. The game has not yet been rated by PEGI.

PS3 System Software Update Version 2.10 Announced

With the introduction of Blu-ray Profile 1.1 (known as Bonus View) PS3 will be able to fully exploit the potential of the new Blu-ray movies coming to market in 2008. With features such as Picture in Picture (PiP), the exceptional visual clarity offered by Blu-ray is further enhanced with richer features and interactive content, limited only by the imagination of the studio.

With sales of PS3 on track to have reached a cumulative global total of over 16 million by the end of March 2008, and the system software update making them all compatible with Bonus View, the market for Blu-ray discs showcasing these new interactive features is enormous. The first Blu-ray movies to take advantage of Bonus View are scheduled for release in January 2008, making PS3 owners amongst the first consumers able to enjoy the enhanced movie-watching experience that Blu-ray technology makes possible.

Many Hollywood and independent studios supporting Blu-ray will be bringing out an ever increasing range of movie titles in all genres featuring Bonus View interactivity to add to the pleasure of watching movies on Blu-ray disc.. With superb image clarity up to five times that of normal DVD video, and crystal clear Dolby 5.1 Channel audio, Blu-ray movie playback on PS3 really broadens the entertainment possibilities of PS3.

The provision of support for DivX and VC-1 video playback codecs in system software Version 2.10 will also significantly expand the multimedia capabilities of PS3 by enabling users to enjoy access to the broad library of video content available in both the the DivX and VC-1 digital media formats.

Version 2.10 also introduces an engaging voice changer feature to enhance Voice Chat on PS3, enabling users to alter the tone and pitch of their voice from the Control panel during AV Chat.

Kamael,’ the Largest Expansion in Lineage II History Released

The huge Kamael expansion is free to all current Lineage II subscribers. Lineage II is known as the gaming market’s premier player-versus-player (PvP) MMO, and since its launch in late 2003, has reached more than 17 million players worldwide.
The main feature of the expansion is a new playable race called the Kamael, one-winged soldiers who control a form of dark magic and are presented in different class paths based on gender, with both male and female characters possessing distinct combat abilities. The ultimate goal of the Kamael warriors, born on the Isle of Souls, is to earn a second wing and reach the powerful “final form.”–

Adding to the intrigue and massive battles Lineage II is known for are clan-based, daily fortress battles. Smaller in scale to the enormous castle sieges, the fortress battles will allow smaller clans to gain a foothold on territory and elevating their clan in the larger political and military background.
Highlights for veteran players of the game include the addition of lands for those above level 70, Hellbound and the Isle of Prayer. Also coming soon, highly-requested game features such as character server transfers, name changes and gender changes will become available for purchase.

Newer players will enjoy new items and enhancements that will aid the solo play experience for those at lower levels, helping to make Lineage II more accessible without diluting the challenge for which the game is well known.

“The Kamael expansion is so epic that it is hard to pin down which feature is the most exciting,” said Tim Tan, NCsoft’s North American producer of Lineage II. “The new Kamael race is very unique and adds a new world of playability to the game. The new high-level lands will benefit our longtime players seeking harder challenges, while the new-player and soloing features will make getting to the heart of the game easier for more players. The sheer amount of content in this expansion is unbelievable and I really look forward to seeing the players’ response.”

Additional new features include a set of instanced dungeons and new item slots and items that include new more powerful weapons and armor. Instanced dungeons provide players a place where they can hunt by themselves, untouched by players or creatures. There are two different kinds of Instanced Dungeons: one that requires a quest to enter, and the other that requires the acquisition of a castle or fortress to enter.

Also, when players tackle particularly challenging adventures or overcome monstrous bosses, they can capture the moment on video with the game’s newly polished record and replay system that allows players to speed up or slow down their footage when they view their captured battles.

Existing players of Lineage II will receive The Kamael update automatically to their accounts. For gamers wishing to experience Lineage II for the first time, the game is available at retail at £19.99 / €29.99, which includes a 15 day time card, giving players a total of 45 days play time. To purchase the game or other Lineage II merchandise, go to the PlayNC store at: http://eu.plaync.com/eu/store/ .

To find out more please visit the Lineage II web site at: http://eu.lineage2.com/

Warhammer Online’s Beta Army Now Half A Million Strong

Poised to be one of the biggest new MMORPG releases releases of next year, W.A.R. is slated for official launch in Q2 2008. The Beta Center is still open and accepting recruits at:
Warhammer Online : Age of Reckoning

Based on Games Workshop’s epic and longstanding tabletop fantasy war game, Warhammer Online features revolutionary Realm vs. Realm™ (RvR) game play that immerses players in a world of perpetual conflict. For more information, please visit
Warhammer Online : Age of Reckoning.

Fury:”Age of the Chosen” delivers fresh new content

Auran CEO, Tony Hilliam, explains: “We set out with the goal of making FURY fast and fun for all players. The Age of the Chosen add-on focuses on helping new players prepare for the furious action as well as introducing a host of features requested by our hardcore fans. Feedback from new players was that the pacing was too fast and confusing. To remedy this and help players grow into the game, we created the ‘Carnage’ game type. Carnage pits two teams of four players in indirect competition where the focus is killing bots to earn points rather than simply smashing your opponents into submission. We’ve also improved the tutorial and created practice areas where players can spend time getting used to FURY’s uniquely fast paced combat.”

“We’ve also made a number of changes to combat by increasing player survivability, lengthening the decision making time and increasing combat feedback. Furthermore, and in direct response to player’s requests, we’ve made significant improvements to all items in the game. Tiers and rarity will be more meaningful and there will be greater incentives to choose higher Tier armor. This of course means players can spend even more time tweaking their favorite Incarnation to keep within our 1000 Equip Point limit.”

“FURY has always been about player skill over button mashing and we think players will really enjoy the improvements to the combat system”, said Cameron McNeil, Lead Systems Designer. “We’ve also made a number of changes to the Sanctarum vendors, improved the User Interface and added a ton of bug fixes and polish to the game. We are looking forward to a large number of our customers and free trial players checking out the changes as we continue towards our goal of making FURY the Number One PvP game in the world.”

The list of changes include:

• New ‘Carnage’ game type with three maps.
• 1 v 1 Elimination game type with four maps.
• Improved tutorial.
• Streamlined interface.
• NPC number and placement changes.
• Rebalanced and improved equipment system.
• Combat mechanics changes.
• Improved combat feedback.
• Bugs fixes, performance improvements and general polish.

The add-on is expected to be available for download on December 14, 2007.

For full details on the changes visit FURY – Age of the Chosen.

Legend II – Fortress Wars Update arrives for Silkroad Online

Guild vs. guild combat for up to 300 players will occur every Friday, and will combine real-time strategy elements, like building defensive structures and commanding NPC troops, with fast-paced MMO combat, leaving the victors in control of a city’s taxes and financial gains for an entire week. Guilds that enter the fray will have access to mighty siege engines, formidable guard towers, and fearsome monsters to aid them in battle.

“With Legend II – Fortress Wars, players of Silkroad Online will be reminded what we mean by ‘massively multiplayer,’” said June K. Son, General Manager of Joymax. “This game has always offered players an open-ended means to forge their own destiny. Now, by allowing them to seize and control cities, we’re letting them change the course of the entire world.”

More information on Legend II – Fortress Wars can be read at the official website, at:
http://www.silkroadonline.net/teaser…date/index.asp.

Blizzard Announces Russian Version of World of Warcraft

A dedicated Russian-speaking team is currently being assembled at the Blizzard Europe offices in France and Ireland to ensure Russian World of Warcraft players will benefit from the same quality of 24/7 native-language support as other European players. Roles will include in-game support, offline technical and customer support, localisation and quality assurance, community relations, and creation and maintenance of a new official Russian World of Warcraft website.

“Considering the scale and enthusiasm of the Russian community, we recognized that offering a dedicated Russian-language version of World of Warcraft was the next important step for the game in Europe,” said Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to providing an even more accessible gameplay experience to current and future players.”

Further details on language pack downloads and migration plans for existing Russian players will be available closer to the release. To keep pace with the multi-lingual European growth of World of Warcraft and development of other games, Blizzard is currently hiring for numerous open positions. More information on available career opportunities at Blizzard Europe, including positions on the Russian team, can be found at

Blizzard Entertainment – Employment Opportunities.

AsiaSoft Launches Grand Chase In Singapore And Malaysia

Online content has become an integral part of modern media and youth culture, and more youngsters have access to online games at an early age. Hence, with its adorable in-game graphics and simple game controls, Grand Chase is targeted at the new generation of gamers who are taking their first step towards the world of online edutainment, IT and the Internet.

“AsiaSoft is very privileged to have different segments of gamers enjoying our games, and we are especially pleased to introduce Grand Chase, our latest offering to young teenagers,” said Ivan Seah, Marketing and Communications Director, AsiaSoft Online Pte Ltd. “We believe that tweens will enjoy the entertainment that Grand Chase has to offer and will find it a simple and delightful introduction to a vast world of online gaming content.”

To ensure family- and child-friendly content, AsiaSoft will have Game Masters patrolling the game 24 hours a day for cyber predators, hackers and undesirable interactions. These measures taken by the publisher assure young Grand Chase gamers of a protected and controlled online environment in which to enjoy the game and to form meaningful friendships. “Grand Chase is a new breed of fast-paced arcade MMOG with strong emphasis in action gameplay,” added Ivan. “While players have strong in-game content to explore and enjoy, AsiaSoft also recognizes the importance of keeping the online environment a fun and safe place for all young gamers to be.”

Grand Chase transports players to the once peaceful Continent of Bermesiah, which has been overthrown into bloodshed and chaos by KazeAaze, the Queen of Darkness. Players are instantly recruited to join the Grand Chase towards freedom and victory as elite heroes, including the brave knight Elesis, the powerful mage Arme, and the elegant archer Lire!

A party platter of game modes, Grand Chase also features Player versus Monster (PvM) battles, Player versus Player (PvP) death matches, challenging quests and light-hearted mini games. The game’s real-time attacks and combo skill executions will stir fans of old school arcade games, while its endearing avatar designs and customizations will thrill anime lovers and young gamers. Grand Chase is currently in Open Beta and interested players need only sign up for a free AsiaSoft Passport to be eligible for Open Beta on the Grand Chase website (www.GrandChaseSEA.com). Players involved in Open Beta testing will gain access to certain ingame functions and modes for testing purposes.

AsiaSoft also intends to organize more programs and outdoor activities surrounding its two community initiatives, “Gamers Love Sports” and “Gamers Care”, to complement and enhance its players’ online experience. From outdoor pet walkathons to eco-friendly beach clean-ups, AsiaSoft hopes that the introduction of Grand Chase will be the start of a new, meaningful year of learning and social growth for its young gamers.

About Grand Chase
Grand Chase is a Free-To-Play 3D-rendered fantasy adventure online game. Featuring anime inspired characters set against a colorful, medieval backdrop, Grand Chase puts players in the role of Bermesiah elite troopers on the mission to chase KazeAaze, the Queen of Darkness. The Grand Chase game client can be downloaded at GrandChaseSEA.

Wii-kly Update: Photo Feature, Gifting Abilities And Three Classic Games Added To Wii

And let’s not ignore the other sure-to-please titles: Ghosts’n Goblins and BASEBALL STARS 2. These three new classic games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. But wait – there’s more!

Later in the day on Monday, Nintendo will make your holiday shopping just a little bit easier. If some people on your gift list have visions of classic video games dancing in their heads, you’re in luck. Starting this week, Wii Shop Channel patrons can use a new Gifting feature to send games to other Wii owners with whom they’ve traded Friend Codes. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to give your fellow Nintendo buffs the gift of a classic game—no wrapping paper required. And don’t worry about duplication. If your friend already has the game you’re trying to give, you’ll get a simple message and be bumped back into the catalog to continue shopping.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel every Monday. Wii™ owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:

Pokémon Snap (Nintendo 64, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points): As one of the most unique games in a renowned series, Pokémon Snap was the first truly 3-D Pokémon game and introduced the phenomenon to the Nintendo 64. Travel to Pokémon Island and meet Professor Oak to begin a safari, taking the best possible photographs of 63 different Pokémon as they exist in the wild, undisturbed by humans. This is not as easy as it sounds—the island has many types of climates and environments to explore, along with secret activities and hidden passages to discover. Plus, some of the Pokémon can be a little shy and won’t pose for the camera unless you tease them with special items. After you’re done, submit one picture of each Pokémon to Professor Oak, and he’ll judge it based on size, pose, technique and number of Pokémon captured.

Ghosts’n Goblins (NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone—Mild Animated Violence, 500 Wii Points): Ghosts’n Goblins was a popular arcade game before it made the leap to the NES in 1986. Like later games in the series, Ghosts’n Goblins presents quite a challenge to players brave enough to take on the role of Arthur and delve into the realm of demons and monsters to rescue the kidnapped princess. Choose your weapons wisely and take advantage of their strengths to deal with the situation at hand. Pass through the six gates that stand between you and Astaroth, and teach him a lesson in chivalry he’ll never forget. Demonstrating a high level of technical prowess for a game of its era, Ghosts’n Goblins presents a unique and unforgettable universe. The stage for adventure is set. Are you up to the test?

BASEBALL STARS 2 (NEOGEO, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 900 Wii Points): Lace up your cleats and step onto the diamond with the pros of BASEBALL STARS 2. You’ll find everything you’d expect in a classic game of baseball, but with an arcade feel and intense action that distinguish it from the pack. Pick one of six unique teams from cities around the world, then get ready for nine innings of excitement, whether you’re taking on the computer in a 15-game tournament or squaring off against a friend. There are two modes of game play, so even the most inexperienced player can compete at the major-league level (with a little computer-aided fielding). Watch as the game develops through split-screen views and close-up shots worthy of any highlight film, and see if you can catch the numerous over-the-top animations of the large and detailed player models. Think you have what it takes to win the pennant?

For more information about Wii, please visit:
Wii.com

First New Halo 3 Content “Heroic Map Pack” Arrives

Available for 800 Microsoft Points exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, each map offers a unique experience. Standoff’s symmetrical valley, with its entrenched bases and fields of boulders is ideal for mid-sized objective and Slayer game types, while Rat’s Nest’s vast, labyrinthine passages bring something new to the “Halo” multiplayer experience: an indoor vehicle paradise, strongly influenced by the Campaign mode, ideal for big team battles. Finally, Foundry is the ultimate Forge map – players can edit every single object in this voluminous industrial warehouse, place stairways, walls, bridges and tunnels to create an entirely new play space and build almost any kind of map they can think of.

As if the legions of “Halo 3″ players needed more reasons to stay logged on to Xbox LIVE, Forge also allows players to edit and customize all three maps, keeping “Halo 3’s” multiplayer experience fresh, exciting and evolving. In addition, ongoing updates to “Halo 3’s” matchmaking playlists ensure that ranked and social gameplay remains dynamic and competitive.

The maps of the Heroic Pack are available in matchmaking today to those who have purchased the download. All three maps will become available as a free download via Xbox LIVE Marketplace in Spring 2008, just prior to the next wave of all new “Halo 3” multiplayer maps.

More Warner Bros Films Confirmed On Xbox 360 This Christmas

Following last week’s launch announcement where Microsoft revealed partnerships with Warner Bros and Europacorp in Europe to bring exciting films to rent on Xbox LIVE including 300, Zodiac, Harry Potter and The Good German, Xbox 360 owners can also expect to download to rent additional Warner Bros films such as Batman Forever, Batman Returns, Analyze That[1], by the end of the year. Cost per download for a catalogue film is from as little as 250 Microsoft Points (*ERP £2 [2]) for Standard Definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (*ERP £3.20 [3]) for High Definition movies.

Robin Truchy, Director of Xbox LIVE for Europe, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division commented: “We are firmly committed to providing the best high definition entertainment experiences for our consumers. We feel great about the enthusiasm created last week around HD movies in the Xbox LIVE community. The good news is that the movie industry seems excited as well about this launch: we look forward to additional partners and content coming in 2008, alongside Warner Bros and Europacorp.”

Marc Gareton, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Senior Vice President International said: “We’re excited to be helping to launch this new service in Europe, and to be bringing top Warner Bros. film titles like 300, Batman and the Matrix Trilogy in both SD and HD formats to people at their convenience in their own living rooms through Xbox LIVE. We Xbox owners are in for a treat over the holiday period and on into 2008.”

If all these film titles that we’ve got lined up aren’t enough to whet the appetites of Xbox consumers, then we’ve teamed up with Warner Bros to give eligible Xbox customers a special Christmas treat. From 00.01a.m. on Friday 28th December until 11.59 pm the same day (24hrs only), people will be able to download a mystery title in HD for 99p in the UK. Stay tuned for more information on this soon.

Xbox 360 gamers in the launch countries can access Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store with both an Xbox Live Silver or Gold membership and a broadband connection.

More information about the content available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store can be found at: Xbox.com | Xbox.com Home

Xbox LIVE Arcade adds “Arkadian Warriors” and “GripShift”

Three heroic shape-shifting warriors fight to release the Land of Arkadia from the evil Gorgon’s stony gaze. In the uniquely expansive “Arkadian Warriors,” randomly generated dungeons and cooperative multiplayer hack & slash action enhances a deep single-player campaign. The robust cooperative multiplayer mode is available for two players both locally and over Xbox LIVE. Upgrading is key as players hone their skills, acquire loot and master powerful magic spells and numerous deadly weapons in a journey of mythical proportions.

Through a mix of sky-high platforming and stunt driving, “GripShift” combines automotive and puzzle solving skills across 120 challenging levels, 25 rubber burning race tracks and 20 deadly deathmatch arenas across four themed worlds. Zoom to victory with four players over Xbox LIVE or race solo, all while enjoying a customisable music experience! Choose your driver, unlock faster vehicles and customise your ride with new skins. Developed by Sidhe Interactive, “GripShift” is a gravity-defying thrill ride every racing fan must experience!

Arkadian Warriors: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 10th December 2007

GripShift: available for 800 MS Points from 9:00 a.m. GMT, Wednesday 10th December 2007

Both are rated 12+.

More information is available at:
Xbox.com | Xbox LIVE Arcade – Classic and New Games on Xbox 360.

EVE Online: Trinity patch issue identified and addressed

For more information visit:
EVE Online – a massive multiplayer online roleplaying space game – MMORPG

World of WarCraft Feast of Winter Veil 2007

- The Preserved Holly that players can get from completing special holiday quests can now be used on flying mounts. This will temporarily turn their flying mount into a flying reindeer that trails sparkles as it flies through the air

- Handful of Snowflakes – this is a new item you can obtain by /kiss –ing a Winter Reveler NPC. It will create a light snowfall above any targeted player.

- Burning Crusade Holiday Bosses – as in past years, certain bosses will be dressed in a festive fashion and will drop seasonal hats when defeated. The holiday versions of the bosses will begin on Dec. 25 and end on Jan. 2. These bosses include:

o Grand Warlock Netherkurse (Shattered Halls)

o Grandmaster Vorpil (Shadow Labyrinth)

o Exarch Maladaar (Auchenai Crypts)

o Captain Skarloc (Durnholde Keep)

o Nethermancer Sepethrea (Mechanar)

o High Botanists Freywinn (Botanica)

- Mechanotoy – This is a new gift that can be obtained from under the Winter Veil tree in Ironforge and Orgrimmar. It lets you summon a Mechanotoy non-combat pet to follow you around.

The rest of the event remains as in the past.

For more information visit:
World of Warcraft Community Site

Street Fighter IV Kicks Off Next-Gen Fighting Games

In its amazing twenty year history, Street Fighter has revolutionized the fighting genre and created a global legacy like no other. Few details have been released on the new game, outside of a heart-pounding preview trailer that set the gaming community on fire when it was released in October on the official website, StreetFighterWorld.com.

Capcom is proud to announce the return of four classic “World Warriors” in Street Fighter IV: returning favourites Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, and Dhalsim. The characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D computer graphics (CG), while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. The traditional six-button controls for the game will return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing tried-and-true classic moves and techniques with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter 4 brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over.

Everything that made the legendary Street Fighter II a hit in arcades, living rooms and dormitories all over the world has been brought to bear here, with even more surprises. With the inclusion of Capcom’s latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honoured art of virtual martial arts.

New GTA IV Trailer hits the Web!

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We’ll continue to follow any further developments on details concerning this title.

Downloadable Content and Enhancements Released for BioShock

“As one of the highest rated games of the year, we wanted to continue to connect with the fans that made BioShock such an overwhelming retail and critically-acclaimed hit,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “We are excited to offer new downloadable content that will extend and enhance the replay value of this title.”

New downloadable content includes:

Four Plasmids and Gene Tonics:

• Sonic Boom: Hurls creatures and objects back with a blast of force
• EVE saver: Enables Plasmids to use less EVE
• Vending Expert: Reduces prices in the vending machines
• Machine Buster: Increases the amount of damage players deal to cameras, bots and turrets

Achievements (exclusive to Xbox 360):

• Xbox 360 players can gain 100 points for “Brass Balls,” by beating BioShock on the “hard” difficulty setting without dying

In response to gamers’ requests and feedback from the Cult of Rapture (www.CultofRapture.com) community forums, fans of BioShock now have a widescreen option, granting a wider horizontal field of vision, as well as additional enhancements to the game. The Xbox 360 Title Update will be automatically applied at the game’s startup when users log into Xbox LIVE. PC owners can access both the additional content and gameplay improvements via a downloadable patch, available at www.2Kgames.com/bioshock/support.

Activision and Vivendi Merge – Activision Blizzard created

The new publishing behemoth, “the world’s largest pure-play online and console game publisher,” is expected to have approximately $3.8 billion in pro forma combined calendar 2007 revenues. The company’s operating magins could see Activision Blizzard oust Electronic Arts as the largest third party videogame publisher in the business, just days after EA CEO John Riccitiello said that the videogames industry is no longer ripe for mergers.

The merger will create a company whose portfolio consists of some of the largest videogame franchises in the industry, including Blizzard’s World of Warcraft (pictured), Starcraft and Diablo, Activision’s Call of Duty, Guitar Hero and Tony Hawk, and Vivendi’s Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. It will also give Activision direct access to the library of Vivendi’s Universal Music Group, the world’s largest record label, “which will benefit Guitar Hero and further extend our sizeable leadership position in music-based games.”

Under the terms of the agreement, Vivendi Games will be merged with a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision. In the merger, shares of Vivendi Games will be converted into 295.3 million new shares of Activision common stock. Based on the transaction price of $27.50 per share of Activision common stock, this implies a value of approximately $8.1 billion for Vivendi Games.

Concurrently with the merger, Vivendi will purchase 62.9 million newly issued shares of Activision common stock at a price of $27.50 per share – a premium of 31% to Activision’s average closing price over the past 20 trading days – for a total of $1.7 billion in cash. As a result of these transactions, Vivendi will own an approximate 52% ownership stake in Activision Blizzard on a fully diluted basis. A subsequent tender offer, if fully subscribed, will see Vivendi own a stake of approximately 68% in Activision Blizzard on a fully diluted basis.

Activision Blizzard is targeting pro forma operating income of $1.1 billion and pro forma earnings per share in excess of $1.20 in calendar year 2009.

“This alliance is a major strategic step for Vivendi and is another illustration of our drive to extend our presence in the entertainment sector,” said Vivendi CEO Jean-Bernard Levy.

“By combining Vivendi’s games business with Activision, we are creating a worldwide leader in a high-growth industry. We are excited about the opportunities for Activision Blizzard as a broader entertainment software platform.”

Robert Kotick, Activision’s chairman and CEO said, “This is an outstanding transaction for Activision and our stockholders, as well as a pivotal event in the continuing transformation of the interactive entertainment industry. By combining leaders in mass-market entertainment and subscription-based online games, Activision Blizzard will be the only publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry and reach the broadest possible audiences.

“By joining forces with Vivendi Games, we will become the immediate leader in the highly profitable online games business and gain a large footprint in the rapidly growing Asian markets, including China and Korea, while maintaining our leading operating performance across North America and Europe,” Kotick added.

Bruce Hack, current CEO of Vivendi Games, will be accountable for leading the merger integration and the finance, human resources and legal functions. Following the completion of the merger, expected to be in the first half of calendar year 2008, Activision Blizzard’s board of directors will be comprised of eleven members: six directors designated by Vivendi, two Activision management directors and three independent directors who currently serve on Activision’s board of directors. Hack will serve as vice-chairman and chief corporate officer of Activision Blizzard, Kotick will serve as president and CEO, while Rene Penisson, currently a member of the Vivendi board and chairman of Vivendi Games, will serve as chairman of the new publisher.

For more information visit:
ACTIVISIONBLIZZARD.COM

Age of Conan reveals mounted combat details

Including mounted combat in Age of Conan is actually a significant step forward for the whole genre. Usually, mounts in these types of games are only used for getting from one place to another as quickly as possible, and not at all for doing damage.

But in Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures the value of a mount will extend far beyond being just a means of transportation. Whereas other massive online games will force you to dismount when fighting, Age of Conan allows you to stampede into battle mounted on anything from ferocious killer rhinos to noble steeds!

When we set out to design the mount system we knew we had to do two things: create a certain feeling of depth and excitement, in addition to making it balanced and fair.

Freedom of choice
When you finally reach the required level to own and operate a mount in Age of Conan, there is a wide range of choices for you to make before you head out and buy one – and it goes well beyond just choosing what color you want it to be!

In addition to choosing what type of mount you want (horse, mammoth, rhino and so on), you also need to choose between different variations of that mount.

Each different type of mount has its own advantages and disadvantages. While the mammoth moves slowly, turns slowly and may be difficult to control, it can take a huge amount of beating. The horse, however, tends to be quick and easy to maneuver, but it will never stand up to the same amount of damage that the mammoth can take.

There are also variations of each different mounts. Some horses are quicker than others, while others rely more on heavy armor. What you choose to go for not only depends on how much money you have, it also depends on how you want to actually play the game!

Becoming one with your mount
Heroic tales of Hyborian adventurers, who went through hell and came out on the other side with their trusted steed loyally by their side, are many and plentiful in the world of Conan. Becoming one with your mount is a necessary key to success.

When riding into battle on a mount in Age of Conan you will gain various bonuses depending on the mount you’re using. If you’re using a mammoth, for instance, you will get a solid health bonus that will benefit you in battle. But remember, should you get killed while mounted your mount will die with you – and vice versa!

The control system has been designed in such a way that your mount really feels like an extension of your own character, from the way it moves to the way some of them fights.
“Some mounts have a certain acceleration rate, such as the mammoth,” explains Svein Erik Jenset, one of the designers on Age of Conan. “Riding forward on the mammoth you will actually see that its speed increases slowly, and when you tell it to stop it will not stop right away – it will start to slow down before it eventually stops.”

Another case when you and your mount becomes one is while fighting. If you’re riding a horse you will actually have to swing your weapon yourself, trying to make impact. If you’re riding a mammoth on the other hand, it’s the mammoth that will do the fighting as it thrusts its giant tusks at the enemy!

Machine of death
Fighting while mounted is an art that can be challenging to master in Age of Conan. For instance, in order to maximize your damage output you need to actually ride quickly past your enemy and then hit – the faster you go the more damage you will do! Of course, this also requires you to know exactly when to let your sword go or you’ll miss completely.
If you miss you will have to turn, and if you’re going fast you have to turn in a wide arc. And if you’re riding a mammoth even turning on the spot may take some time!

There is a variety of weapons (such as lances) you can use while mounted, and you can even cast spells and shoot with ranged weapons such as various bow types, but there are also certain limitations in terms of which combos and what spells you can use.
“You will have to evaluate each situation and see if it’s best ride into the battle or do it on foot,” says Gaute Godager, game director for Age of Conan. “Some mounts are really good camp breakers, while others can be used to actually crush entire buildings!”

Source:
Age Of Conan: Hyborian Adventures