One of the best Dreamcast releases comes to the North American Xbox Live Arcade this week in Garou: Mark of the Wolves. The latest title in the Fatal Fury series, Garou oozes with style and technical proficiency, making it one of my favorite entries in the storied series and online play only makes it sweeter.

For those of you who prefer to use your brains over your brawn, Droplitz is a puzzle game developed by Blitz Arcade and published by Atlus, marking the latter's first foray onto Xbox Live Arcade. The goal is simple: get your Droplitz to the end of the pipeline but turning pipes and twisting dials, mastering combos in order to bring multiple Droplitz home at once.

Both games will be available on Wednesday for 800 points apiece, barring any Xbox Live explosions.

Tony Hilliam, CEO of Australian developer Auran, broke the news to their few players on the game's website, saying that the now-skeleton staff couldn't find a way to make the game profitable, or, I'd say, fun.

Hilliam says that anyone who bought the game in the past month should return it to the store they purchased it from and that the even the website will be shutdown in the coming days.

His full message thanks the staff and even has a word to the game's "naysayers and doomsdayers."

We have reached our time limit to find a solution that would help us keep the Fury servers open. Sadly, no solution has been found and so we have no alternative than to shut the servers down in 48 hours.

To all those players who have enjoyed Fury and played countless battles, I am sorry that we could not find a viable business model that would allow you to continue playing. To all those naysayers and doomsdayers, we know that deep down you wanted Fury to succeed. Have fun with your parting wishes

To the Auran team, who put their heart and soul into making Fury, thanks for your efforts. As I said many times before, we need to be much better than the competition to have a chance of succeeding. We gave it everything we had and history now judges that it still wasn't good enough.

Whilst this marks the end of the Fury chapter, who knows what the future may bring. There were many gems hidden within Fury and many lessons learned. Hopefully one day the full potential can be realised in some other form.

So for now, so long and thanks for all the fish.

P.S. We informed all stores more than a month ago to remove stock from their shelves. If you have purchased a copy of Fury in the past month, we suggest you return it to the store.
P.P.S. This website will also close down in 48 hours.

Fury Servers, Website To Be Shut Down Within 48 Hours [Kotaku Australia]

We will then have some bad news to follow (unless a miracle occurs), but there will be a very positive end to the week.

Beautiful Katamari (X360)
The Prince and The King are back for more Katamari rolling goodness.

Heroes of Might and Magic V: Tribes of the East (PC)
Now with more Orcs.

Fury (PC)
PvP to your heart's content.

Crash of the Titans (PSP)
Crash is back and making waves on the PSP.

Tony Hawk's Proving Ground (X360, PS2, WII, PS3, DS)
My kid can ollie over your honor roll student.

Spider-Man 3 (PSP)
Trapped in the web of love.

Victorious Boxers: Revolution (WII)
Beat the crap out of people while simultaneously wearing your arms out.

SWAT: Target Liberty (PSP)
Take out terrorists threatening NYC.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - Game of the Year Edition (PS3)
Together again for the first time... on the PS3

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (WII)
All hail Bridget.

Auran's massively multiplayer action RPG Fury just landed a distribution deal with relatively unknown publisher Elephant Entertainment, Gamecock announced today.

The deal gives Elephant exclusive retail distribution rights to the player-versus-player game. Checking out their website, it appears the publisher hasn't backed many games, but they did obtain the U.S. rights to Sword of the New World: Granado Espada.

Hit the jump for the full press release.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, August 16, 2007 - Underscoring its emergence within the interactive entertainment sector, Elephant Entertainment, a new publishing company bringing innovative entertainment content to retail via unique and compelling retail distribution and consumer availability models, today announced a distribution agreement with Gamecock Media Group and its developer Auran. Under the terms of the agreement, Elephant Entertainment has exclusive retail distribution rights to Auran's Fury, a highly acclaimed new player-vs.-player massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) throughout North America.

"Mike Wilson and Harry Miller are industry mavericks with a reputation for pushing the industry in innovative and inspired directions. It is that independent sensibility that is a perfect for fit for Elephant," said Wim Stocks, CEO and president of Elephant Entertainment. "We're pleased to partner with Gamecock, and to do so with such a high-quality and original product as Fury."

According to Mike Wilson, CEO and grand champeen of Gamecock Media Group, "Elephant Entertainment has embraced Gamecock's unconventional approach and artist-first philosophy. We are excited to be working with a company that offers impressive industry experience and an unfettered willingness and success at creating innovative distribution programs."

Created by Auran, Fury combines the best elements of MMORPGs, RPG combat systems and first-person shooters to deliver the ultimate player vs. player experience. Get straight into the fight in a fantasy world of swords and magic. No grind, no waiting - just adrenaline-fueled combat. Fury's design eliminates the often 'boring' parts of traditional online role-playing games but keeps everything players love.

About Elephant Entertainment
Elephant Entertainment LLC (www.elephant-entertainment.com) is a new publishing company specializing in bringing innovative game and entertainment content to the retail marketplace. Elephant Entertainment achieves this via unique and compelling retail distribution and consumer availability models, encompassing accessibility both in-store and online. Elephant Entertainment publishes within the spectrum of gaming experiences — from casual games to massively multiplayer experiences — publishing on all major gaming platforms. Elephant Entertainment is proudly headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, home of The Replacements, Prince, Tapes and Tapes, The Minnesota Twins, and Brit's Pub and Eating Establishment, with branch offices in Chicago, Seattle, New York City, Dallas, and London.

"It's been a blast getting Gamecock off the ground, but it's even more exciting to have our first two games coming out this October," said Mike Wilson, Grand Champeen of Gamecock. "These games showcase what developers - given the freedom to create - can accomplish. Both Auran and Renegade Kid are visionaries, and have stayed true to creating games that are fresh and that keep your adrenaline pumping."

Gamecock Media Group Announces Ship Dates For Auran's Fury And Renegade Kid's Dementium: The Ward

Newly Founded Publisher's First Games To Release In October

Cockpit, Austin, Texas - August 14, 2007 - Gamecock Media Group today announced the release dates for the first two titles to be published under its banner. Fury, the killer PvP MMO developed down under by Auran, will be available for PC on October 9. Renegade Kid's first project, Dementium: The Ward, a FPS survival horror frightfest, will be available for the Nintendo DS™ on the very special (and appropriate) date of October 31. Both titles can be pre-ordered now at www.gamecocklove.com.

"It's been a blast getting Gamecock off the ground, but it's even more exciting to have our first two games coming out this October," said Mike Wilson, Grand Champeen of Gamecock. "These games showcase what developers - given the freedom to create - can accomplish. Both Auran and Renegade Kid are visionaries, and have stayed true to creating games that are fresh and that keep your adrenaline pumping."

Fury is the ultimate competitive player versus player massively multiplayer online game. Combining the character advancement of a role-playing game with the high-speed intensity of a first-person shooter, Fury is perfect for PC gamers who want to waste enemies, not time. Visit www.unleashthefury.com for more.

Dementium: The Ward is a first-person survival horror game that places players in a derelict hospital infested with bizarre creatures. Rated M for Mature, Dementium pushes the DS to the maximum in terms of graphics, gameplay and frightening audio and effects. To see more, point your browser to www.dementium.com.

"We believe this unique and groundbreaking product will appeal to MMO and action shooter gamers alike. It's going to drive forward the online persistent market with Fury's new style of free to play, instant online action."

Codemasters Online and Auran set to Unleash the Fury throughout Europe!

Codemasters Online and Auran announce European wide distribution deal for Fury.

Tuesday, 7th August (2pm GMT) - Codemasters Online have today announced an exciting distribution partnership with Australia's premier game developer Auran, to bring the much anticipated free-to-play online role-playing game, Fury to the European market.

Powered by the Unreal Engine 3, Fury is a unique persistent online action RPG giving players the ultimate player vs player (PvP) combat experience unlike any other action shooter or MMORPG in the market.

David Solari, Vice President and General Manager of Codemasters Online commented, "We are pleased to announce our latest partnership with Auran to bring the long awaited Fury to Europe. We believe this unique and groundbreaking product will appeal to MMO and action shooter gamers alike. It's going to drive forward the online persistent market with Fury's new style of free to play, instant online action."

"Fury has been designed from the ground up to be the best PvP experience ever," said Tony Hilliam, Auran CEO. "Players are rewarded for their skill in battle, not time played and with our unique Incarnation System, players are not shackled by traditional RPG class restrictions. We're confident Fury is set to revolutionize online competitive gaming."

Set for release in October on PC, Fury combines online persistent world depth with intense, heart pumping PvP action. For more information on Fury visit www.unleashthefury.com

Fury Beta Signup Page [Official Site]

Gathering of Developer's dramatic rise from the dead in the guise of Gamecock hit the net this morning with news of five new games they will be publishing, but scant details.

Brisbane, Australia-based Auran Studios is jumping on the bandwagon now to sing the praises of their publisher and dish a bit more details on their upcoming "fast and frantic combat-based MMO" Fury.

"We were very impressed with the fresh new approach Auran has taken with this genre," said Harry Miller, President and Head of Development of Gamecock Media Group. "Fury is founded upon a unique combat system that emphasizes fast pacing, tactical decision making and strong teamwork, along with a deep and flexible character advancement system. This is a solid team with lots of experience and we look forward to bringing this title to market later this year."

"After meeting the Gamecock team and spending a few days at their new headquarters in Austin, I am incredibly excited that we now have a clear shot at making Fury a break-out title for 2007," said Tony Hilliam, CEO of Auran Studios. "Mike and Harry have a track record for picking innovative titles, and it only took them a short playtest to realize that Fury has the potential to create big waves in today's placid MMO pool."

Auran says that Fury will combine the best bits of MMOs and first-person shooters, into a competitive online action RPG.

Advanced combat, in-depth character advancement and teamwork mixed with fast paced and diverse game types make up the core of Fury's gameplay. The dynamic play cycle lets you fight, earn rewards and customize your avatar with a richness and depth never before seen or attempted in a pure PvP game.

The evolution of Fury's combat system is a union of traditional RPG factors with elemental charges, providing action-packed gaming at a feverish pace. Bring these outstanding battle scenarios together with unparalleled matchmaking ensures players will always experience a fun and well matched fight. Plus, character development has been brought to all new levels letting your unique personality and style shine through at every level.

I had a chance to check the game out at PAX last year and wasn't overly impressed. It sort of played like Dark Messiah, but the graphics and controls weren't as good. In the game's defense, they didn't show off any of the MMO bits of the game, so maybe there's more to it. Brian Crecente

Here's the run down:

Fury: Developed by Auran, Fury is a massively multiplayer "player vs. player" game for PC scheduled to be released for the 2007 holiday season.

Insecticide: Developed by Crackpot Entertainment, Insecticide is a stunning film noir action/adventure game set in a decaying world run by bugs. It will be available for the 2007 holiday season on handheld TBA and PC.

Mushroom Men: Developed by Red Fly Studios, Mushroom Men is an incredibly detailed stylized world where mushrooms have taken on human-like feature and are now embroiled in a civil war. This is slated for a spring 2008 release on a next-gen console and handheld, both TBA.

Hail to the Chimp: Developed by Wideload Games, Hail to the Chimp is an impossible-to-classify party game based on politics in the animal kingdom. The game is scheduled for release in spring 2008 for next-gen consoles TBA.

Hero: Developed by Firefly Studios, Hero is a brutal but comical romp through the "real" world of medieval dungeons. It will be coming to a next-gen console TBA and PC in holiday 2008.

Brian Crecente