The Castlevania Judgment release points out that the Wii game will feature head-to-head battles via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Fans of wireless signals will also be thrilled to learn that Castlevania Judgment can wirelessly connect to the Nintendo DS via Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, unlocking "bonus gameplay content." Guess that confirms this little rumor, eh?

Full release is after this.

Release Marks Iconic Franchise’s Next Generation Debut on Wii and its Entry Into the Fighting Game Genre

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Castlevania Judgment, the first Castlevania title in the fighting game genre, is currently in development exclusively for Wii. Developed by legendary Castlevania series producer Koji "Iga" Igarashi, Castlevania Judgment bridges the past with the present as it pits several generations of the Belmont clan against a host of characters that span the franchise's 22-year history.

"We wanted to take this addition to the signature Konami franchise in a direction that really sets it apart from the previous Castlevania titles in the series," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. "The Wii Remote and Nunchuk capabilities, along with the iconic characters, make this game the ideal entry point into the fighting game genre. This combination is certain to thrill old and new fans of the franchise. "

With 3D environments rendered on Wii, players can choose sides in an epic battle of good versus evil using iconic Castlevania characters designed by famed manga artist Takeshi Obata. Using the motion-sensing controls of the Nunchuk and Wii Remote, players can slash, stab and whip their way across a variety of stages and environmental elements with various surrounding objects as weapons. Select characters can also set traps and make use of monsters on the field to achieve victory in a clash of epic proportions. As an added bonus, players are also able to compete head-to-head using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and connect with Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia on the Nintendo DS to unlock bonus gameplay content.



Castlevania Judgment will be released in North America Fall 2008 on Wii.

This was in the press release and attributed to the President of Ignition Entertainment Ajay Chadha: "Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public. Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms." Excellent.

SNK Playmore Corporation and Ignition Entertainment Announce Metal Slug 7 for Nintendo DS™

Glendale, CA - June 27, 2008 - Ignition Entertainment, a UTV Enterprise and worldwide publisher and developer of videogames, in conjunction with SNK Playmore announced today that Metal Slug 7 for Nintendo DS™ will be released this fall.

Developed by SNK Playmore Corporation and published by Ignition Entertainment, Metal Slug 7 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors by continuing to deliver the high-energy and frantic, fast-paced 2-D shooting action that the franchise has always been widely renowned for.

Players will join Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fiolina, Clark and Ralph as they prepare to take on Modern's Forces across 7 new missions that will bring them from Garbage Island to the Fortress of Ruins and beyond. Aside from featuring 7 brand new and fully detailed missions and six playable characters, Metal Slug 7 will also feature a host of new weapons, colossal new bosses, new Slugs to pilot and new gameplay modes for added replay value.

"Truth be told, I have a pink DS and was embarrassed to play it in public. Now with Metal Slug 7 loaded, I have no qualms," said Ajay Chadha, President of Ignition Entertainment. "Needless to say, and in all seriousness, we are very excited to announce our partnership with SNK Playmore USA to give both core and casual gamers a whole new insight into the unique, all-action, eye-popping world that is Metal Slug."

First released in 1996, the Metal Slug series has continuously dazzled legions of fans with its awesome variety of frenetic action and superbly balanced, non-stop gameplay. Its unique art style and memorable boss battles have been hailed as sheer artistry and have been acclaimed by game fans of all genres.

For more information on Ignition Entertainment or SNK Playmore USA please visit www.ignitionusa.com or www.snkplaymoreusa.com.

Official Metal Slug 7 website coming soon!

© SNK PLAYMORE
"METAL SLUG" is a registered trademark of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION.
ABOUT IGNITION ENTERTAINMENT LTD.:
Ignition Entertainment Limited is a UTV Media Communication company. Ignition was created by a core team of gaming industry veterans with the purpose of building upon their successful track record to develop and publish within the international games industry. You can find more information about Ignition Entertainment Ltd. at www.ignitionusa.com.

ABOUT UTV SOFTWARE COMMUNICATIONS LTD.:
UTV Software Communications Ltd. is India's foremost Media & Entertainment Company with leadership position in four Verticals that includes Motion Pictures, Broadcasting, TV Content and Interactive (i.e. Animation and Gaming). Listed on the Mumbai Stock Exchange with the Motion Pictures business listed on the AIM, London Stock Exchange. Walt Disney Inc. holds a strategic stake in UTV. It has subsidiaries with offices across India, the UK and USA. More information on the group is available at www.utvnet.com.

ABOUT SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION:
Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION (SNK) develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software in Japan, North America, Europe and Asia. Founded in 1978, SNK is one of the largest privately held interactive entertainment content providers in the world. Known for such franchises as THE KING OF FIGHTERS, METAL SLUG, and SAMURAI SHODOWN SNK continues to be an industry leader by focusing on their rich arcade history. More information on SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION can be found at www.snkplaymore.co.jp SNK PLAYMORE USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION with offices in Wall, NJ. It handles operations in North America including publishing, marketing, development and localization. More information on SNK PLAYMORE USA can be found at www.snkplaymoreusa.com.

“Boogie SuperStar promotes self-expression, creativity and empowerment for girls worldwide,” said Robert Nashak, VP of Casual Studios, EA Casual Entertainment. “We have created a game where girls don’t just observe someone else’s rise to fame, they experience it themselves, singing and dancing their way through a world most girls only dream about.”

So it's like Boogie, only for girls! Developed for girls by EA Montreal, Boogie Superstar is due out this October and comes packaged with a girl-microphone.

Hit the jump for screens and a press release so female-centric it made Totilo suggest a drinking game based on how many times the word "girl" appears.

EA Delivers a VIP Pass to Stardom With Boogie SuperStar for Wii

New Sing and Dance Game Lets Girls Perform Today’s Hottest Music to Become a Star

LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—For any girl who has ever dreamed of being a star, the Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) brings future stars one step closer today with the announcement of Boogie™ SuperStar. Combining the hottest music hits from around the world with the coolest dance moves and total character customization, Boogie SuperStar provides girls the ultimate gaming experience: to sing and dance their way to superstardom! Exclusively for the Wii™, Boogie SuperStar will be available in North America and Europe October 2008, and in Asia in the following months.

Boogie SuperStar features more than 40 songs made famous by popular artists such as Rihanna, Fergie, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, Leona Lewis, Alicia Keys, Good Charlotte, Britney Spears, Kanye West, and more. Another 30 songs will be available on International versions of the game, allowing players to perform songs from local artists including Melissa M (France), Monrose (Germany), Finley (Italy) and Fito y Fitipaldis (Spain). The star power behind Boogie SuperStar doesn’t stop there. EA will soon reveal the game’s featured artist — a chart-topping, global music sensation who will help promote Boogie SuperStar.

“Boogie SuperStar promotes self-expression, creativity and empowerment for girls worldwide,” said Robert Nashak, VP of Casual Studios, EA Casual Entertainment. “We have created a game where girls don’t just observe someone else’s rise to fame, they experience it themselves, singing and dancing their way through a world most girls only dream about.”

In Boogie SuperStar, players don’t just play along, they are the star of the game. Girls will have a blast belting their favorite tunes into the microphone, and performing real dance moves that are captured on screen using the Wii’s motion-sensing technology. The journey to stardom doesn’t have to be a solo! With two- and four-player modes, girls can play with their friends, sing and dance with their friends or against them in fun competitions that show-off their singing and dancing talent!

Players begin the game by customizing their character, choosing from millions of possible combinations to create a performer that is as unique as they are. They are then “discovered” and whisked away to an island where they learn what it takes to be a star. While on the island, players build their singing and dancing skills, performing in posh environments fit for a rising star, including a studio, a poolside stage, a breath-taking terrace, and a yacht. Once performance skills are perfected, girls are ready to perform for a panel of judges in the ultimate competition, the Boogie Star Show! Only the best and the brightest will be able to outshine the competition to become a Boogie SuperStar!

Developed at EA Montreal under the EA Casual Entertainment Label, Boogie SuperStar has an MSRP of $59.99 and comes with a microphone included. Boogie SuperStar has not yet been rated by the ESRB and PEGI.

Point and click adventure games and the Wii just make sense, and while they are tweaking some of the title's mini-games to take advantage of the Wiimote's motion sensing abilities, the rest of the game should remain intact. It could be the beginning of a very lucrative partnership between Sega and Her Interactive. Just don't ask me to review them.

Nancy Drew Embarks on Her First Nintendo Wii Adventure in Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek

SEGA and Her Interactive Team Up for First Nancy Drew® Game for Console

BELLEVUE, Wash.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Her Interactive, Inc., the designer, developer and publisher of the award-winning Nancy Drew® PC game series, today announced they are partnering with SEGA® of America to bring the best selling franchise to the video game console market. Already a cross-generational phenomenon for over a decade and the number one bestselling PC game adventure series, Nancy Drew ®: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek will make its Wii™ debut this October.

“With sales of our popular Nancy Drew PC series continuing its year-over-year growth, we felt that it was the natural progression to expand the brand into the console arena,” said Megan Gaiser, President and CEO of Her Interactive. “Additionally, the layout, interface and style of our Nancy Drew games make them an ideal fit for the Wii audience, and we are pleased to introduce this title with such a respected partner as SEGA.”

“SEGA is immensely excited to be working with Her Interactive on the Nancy Drew franchise and expanding our catalog into the family-focused games market,” says Sean Ratcliffe, VP of Marketing for SEGA of America. “Her Interactive has created a loyal following of upcoming detectives and bringing that to the Nintendo Wii is an ideal gaming partnership that we are thrilled to be a part of.”

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek finds Nancy far from home in the middle of the Canadian Rockies to investigate several suspicious accidents occurring at Chantal’s spooky Icicle Creek Lodge. To make matters worse, an eerie wolf’s howl in the distance is haunting the guests at night, causing Nancy to wonder if the accidents and the mysterious wolf are connected.

Assuming the role of Nancy Drew, players embark on a mystery adventure that will tax their deductive reasoning skills as they tackle intricate puzzles and master a variety of gesture-based mini-games with the Wii Remote™. Additionally, Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek lets players choose either a Junior or Senior Detective level, making it a perfect game for players of all skill levels.

Nancy Drew: The White Wolf of Icicle Creek will be available this October at retailers nationwide, as well as from the Her Interactive website for a suggested retail price of $29.95. More information on Her Interactive and the company’s entire line of exciting Nancy Drew games can be found at www.HerInteractive.com.

That's what I was thinking anyway, until I realized:

1. Oh, right. Majesco.
2. This game is priced $19.99.
3. It's a port of "the popular online hunt and find game."

Sometimes reading the entire press release can really knock the wind out of one's sails. This is why I tend to only read headlines anymore. The full announcement is after the jump, if you want to experience the thrill of being let down on your own.

MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES 'ESCAPE THE MUSEUM' FOR Wii™

Popular Hunt and Find Online Game Comes to Console this Holiday Season
EDISON, N.J., June 19th, 2008 — Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Escape the Museum for Wii™. Based on the popular online hunt and find game from Gogii Games, Escape the Museum is being developed by Majesco Studios and will be available in retail outlets this holiday for only $19.99.

"Although an incredibly successful PC genre, the hunt and find adventure category has yet to be introduced on Wii," said Liz Buckley, Director of Marketing, Majesco. "Escape the Museum's online success coupled with category opportunity and an attractive price point make this an ideal title to bring to market."

In Escape the Museum, a devastating earthquake has rocked the foundations of the National Museum of History and players must help Susan Anderson, who was knocked unconscious by falling debris while searching the museum for survivors, escape from the crumbling building to the safety outside. Thwarted by doors blocked with rubble and tripped alarm systems, players wander through the museum's maze of 12 different hunt and find areas and 25 action-packed adventure scenes, using the Wii Remote™ to uncover hidden exits and save priceless archaeological artifacts. Along the way, players will solve puzzles, consult a map and access hints to help them inch closer to freedom and a joyful reunion with Susan's lost daughter, Caitlin.

Escape the Museum for Wii™ is expected to release this holiday for $19.99. For additional information about Majesco's exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

The first game to appear under the Play Zone label is Sports Party, which features nine different mini-games with varying difficulty levels. Included are three variations on basketball, croquet, lawn darts, badminton, volley-ball, horse shoes, and mini-golf. Sounds perfect for parents who've grown jaded over this whole fresh-air and sunshine nonsense.

UBISOFT LAUNCHES NEW PLAY ZONE LABEL
Sports Party, first PLAY ZONE game for friends and family to enjoy exclusively on WiiTM

London, UK– June 19th, 2008– Today Ubisoft announced that it will launch a new Wii exclusive party-games range under the label PLAY ZONE. The PLAY ZONE titles will provide immediate entertainment&recreation thanks to original and numerous mini-games to be shared by all family members and friends.

“With our new PLAY ZONE party titles, the Wii gamers who like to spend time with friends and family will have fun with the Wii through innovative and involving mini-games. The PLAY ZONE label will provide them with the best games to mingle and compete together in a fun and friendly atmosphere” said John Parkes, Ubisoft’s EMEA Marketing Director.

Sports Party: become the summer sports champion!

Sports Party will be the first game to be released within the PLAY ZONE label. Located in a tropical paradise Island, Sports Party proposes 9 sports mini-games that can be played head-to-head or cooperatively. With 3 different difficulty levels and using intuitive gestures with the Wii Remote the games can be enjoyed again and again.

Key features:

• 9 different disciplines: Challenge family and friends to basketball (3 different mini-games), croquet, lawn darts, badminton, volley-ball, horse shoes and mini-golf.

• Short gaming sessions: Have a break and change sport as often as desired. Practice a few minutes and challenge whoever is around!

• For the whole family: 3 different difficulty levels that fit with the skills of all family members and friends.

• Wii Remote based gameplay: Thanks to intuitive motions, instantaneously enjoy any sport!

Sports Party will be available on July 11th 2008.

"Deer Hunter Tournament is poised to reinforce its place as the ultimate hunting video game franchise and we anticipate an even broader audience through our expansion of the brand to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE," said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc. "We are confident that this new edition with its first-ever online multiplayer tournament gameplay, enhanced artwork and mechanics, exotic game and locales will provide fans with the ultimate in realistic hunting experiences."

Exciting stuff, but it isn't true multiplayer hunting unless I can "accidentally" take out the competition, Most Dangerous Game-style.

Atari Bags Deer Hunter® Tournament - The Best-Selling Hunting Game Franchise of All Time Returns with a Bang in Fall 2008

Game Features Video Game Industry's First-Ever Online Multiplayer Hunting Tournament Gamplay

Renowned Franchise Makes Its Debut on Xbox 360® with Online Multiplayer on Xbox LIVE®, in Addition to Windows-based PC Release

NEW YORK, June 17 - Deer Hunter® - the biggest hunting game franchise of all time - takes dead aim at gamers once again as Atari, Inc. launches Deer Hunter Tournament for the Windows-based PC and, for the first time, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this fall. The evolution of virtual hunting has finally arrived as Deer Hunter Tournament gives players a chance to experience the most intense virtual hunting experience ever created. Deer Hunter Tournament is designed to create a massive network of Deer Hunter players by offering for the first time ever in hunting games organized, constantly updated online tournaments for both Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network and through the Windows-based PC format. Deer Hunter Tournament will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.95 for Xbox 360 and $19.95 for PC.

Gamers and hunting fans alike will venture to most of the world's most prestigious hunting locations in pursuit of the most exotic and sought after big-game trophy animals. Virtual hunters can now enter different modes, such as stealth or adrenaline, or employ an array of master hunting strategies, including building stands and blinds, to track and shoot their targets. Deer Hunter Tournament provides numerous levels of gameplay, allowing hunters to embark on scouting missions designed to explore maps and equipment while studying animal habits. Hunters can also take part in hunting tutorials, compete in open hunting sessions and participate in either solo gameplay or the intense multi-player tournaments.

Employing some of the recent advancements in gaming technology, Deer Hunter Tournament features true-to-life animal behavior through advanced animal AI designed to mimic animal sight, hearing, sense of smell and behavioral patterns. Additional features include an arsenal of new weapons with bullet time slow motion replay and thermal scopes. Realistic effects in the game capture awe inspiring wildlife moments like hawks swooping down to snatch fish from lakes - but hunters must also be wary of bears, moose, mountain lions and other dangerous predators who will stalk and attack.

"Deer Hunter Tournament is poised to reinforce its place as the ultimate hunting video game franchise and we anticipate an even broader audience through our expansion of the brand to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE," said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc. "We are confident that this new edition with its first-ever online multiplayer tournament gameplay, enhanced artwork and mechanics, exotic game and locales will provide fans with the ultimate in realistic hunting experiences."

"What would Monster Jam fans do if they could unleash the raw power of the world’s biggest and baddest monster trucks in an urban setting, however they liked? Monster Jam: Urban Assault is our attempt to answer this question,” said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. “We are confident Monster Jam fans and all gamers will enjoy doing things like crushing a NYC cab or smashing through one of London’s famous double-decker buses.”

You know what scares me? The fact that this sounds like an incredibly awesome idea. Hit the jump for more details while I try to stave off my natural Georgia-resident impulses.

Break out of the Stadiums and onto the Streets in Activision’s Upcoming Monster Jam: Urban Assault

SANTA MONICA, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today the upcoming release of Monster Jam: Urban Assault. The genre-defining monster truck action in the original hit Monster Jam® has destroyed the stadium barriers and players will now be able to wreak havoc on city streets around the world. The game will be available on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ in fall 2008.

Selling a record of over 4 million tickets at over 325 performances in 2007 at the premier stadiums and arenas in the world, Monster Jam is one of the best known touring entertainment brands in both North America and Europe, in addition to its recent international expansion into Central America. The 2008 Monster Jam tour kicked off this year with further record breaking attendances and is on pace to be the greatest year to date in terms of live event attendance, television coverage on network and cable, worldwide licensed merchandise, international event growth and online presence.

“Last year's launch of the Activision produced Monster Jam, which was the first Monster Jam branded video game at retail in over five years, exceeded our expectations in terms of both gameplay and positive fan response,” Charlie Mancuso, President of Live Nation Motor Sports, Inc. “But Monster Jam fans and gamers are not easily satisfied. For the sequel, we agreed with Activision that we had only one choice: throw the rules out the window and go for total destruction outside the normal Monster Jam environments!”

Taking Monster Jam monster trucks onto the streets and other urban settings and being rewarded for the scale of the damage and destruction is one of the new key features of Monster Jam: Urban Assault. Feel the crunch of twisting metal underneath as you drive legendary and world famous monster truck favorites like Grave Digger®, Maximum Destruction®, Monster Mutt®, El Toro Loco®, Captain’s Curse®, and Blue Thunder®, or select from newer stars on the Monster Jam tour like Stone Crusher™, Backwards Bob™ and Spitfire Monster Truck™. Your goal is to demolish every vehicle you see.

“What would Monster Jam fans do if they could unleash the raw power of the world’s biggest and baddest monster trucks in an urban setting, however they liked? Monster Jam: Urban Assault is our attempt to answer this question,” said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. “We are confident Monster Jam fans and all gamers will enjoy doing things like crushing a NYC cab or smashing through one of London’s famous double-decker buses.”

For purists, Monster Jam: Urban Assault will still offer stadium racing and stadium freestyle competitions with gameplay much improved over the original game. Mini games have also been added, including ones brand new to the franchise like Monster Jump, Truck Trickster, Skee Ball and Air Strike.

Stay tuned to www.MonsterJamOnline.com to learn how you can have a chance to qualify for the second annual Monster Jam Video Game National Tournament. The inaugural tournament was won at the 2008 Monster Jam World Finals in Las Vegas by 14-year-old Jordan Rager of Loganville, Georgia after he qualified through a series of regional qualifiers at the Atlanta Georgia Dome and Las Vegas’ Sam Body Stadium.

The game addresses the console audience by presenting a varying level of difficulty, from your arcade-style Ace Combat battles to full-on simulation. Assisting in the realism will be a damage model for each plane that allows players to holes in their wings and smoke trails during combat, along with detailed landscapes complete with realistic ongoing ground actions. An original score b Oblivion composer Jeremy Soule is just the icing on the cake.

The IL-2 series is one of the best combat flight sims the PC has to offer, so I am extremely interested to see how it fares making the jump to the consoles. Looking good so far!

A TIME TO FIGHT, A TIME TO PREY
Milton Keynes, England - 505 Games will be bringing 1C Publishing’s IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey to the console market for the first time. Developed by Gaijin Entertainment for Xbox 360 and PS3, DiP Interactive for Nintendo DS and DYNAMICSYSTEMS for PSP, the game takes place during the greatest aerial battles of all time (discounting Pterosaurs) and boasts the most realistic landscapes and aircraft seen in any flight sim. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey will be published by 505 Games under the 1C Label and is due for a 2009 release.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II. Players participate in the war’s most famous confrontations piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of thrilling missions. There are five seats of war to engage in – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun – representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

As well as advanced environmental visuals enriching the game play, IL-2 also boasts an all new damage effects engine. Players can see real time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dog fights. Hundreds of airplanes taking part in air battles is a distinguishing feature of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey and the unique environmental engine also produces highly detailed, realistic landscapes that allows players to see a brand new simulation of ground support actions.

Features
• Authentic World War II atmosphere
• Engage in more than 50 thrilling missions from famous historical battles over Eastern and Western Europe and fly historically accurate aircraft
• Completely flexible difficulty level system: from arcade to realistic simulation
• Thrilling multiplayer mode support customisation – from the colour scheme of your plane to your choice of weapons.
• Cutting edge, highly-detailed visuals, realistic sound and original music from Jeremy Soule (composer of Company of Heroes, Dungeon Siege, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Guild Wars, Neverwinter Nights, Prey, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Total Annihilation, Unreal II, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, and many more.)

505 Games will publish IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey on the 1C Label for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and PSP in 2009.

“Six Flags is synonymous with great family fun, and Brash Entertainment is committed to bringing fantastic family entertainment to the gaming world,” said David McKillips, Vice President of Corporate Alliances for Six Flags. “Six Flags Fun Park is the next best thing to actually being inside the park. Now families can keep their favorite theme park gaming skills fresh year round.”

I am sorry if I am taking the piss here, but I cannot see a collection of mini-games coming anywhere near recreating the Six Flags experience. Now if they fill each case with biting gnats that break your air conditioning, then we'll be in business.

Brash Entertainment and Six Flags Partner to Admit Gamers of All Ages to Six Flags Fun Park Videogame

LOS ANGELES—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Brash Entertainment, in partnership with Six Flags Inc., (NYSE:SIX), announced today the development of Six Flags® Fun Park, a videogame releasing in North America that brings the thrills and chills of a Six Flags theme park to the family living room. Featuring uniquely themed areas and mini-games representative of a visit to Six Flags park, this new videogame ensures that summer fun continues all year round.

Calling gamers of all ages - Six Flags Fun Park, welcomes the whole family into a virtual theme park filled with everyone’s favorite games, all re-imagined within a colossal park environment that is sure to keep gamers challenged. Upon entrance to the game, players are tasked with quests that encourage them to explore the park’s zany universe. After creating a unique custom character, Six Flags Fun Park patrons can test their skills, win prizes, and play against friends and family with 40 mini-games.

“Everyone has memories of visiting theme parks with their families, and having a great time with games like the Ring Toss and Bumper Cars,” said Mitch Davis, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Brash Entertainment. “With Six Flags Fun Park, we are re-imagining these time-honored tests of luck and skill, and launching the first virtual park in the Six Flags family, while taking advantage of today’s most popular gaming systems.”

“Six Flags is synonymous with great family fun, and Brash Entertainment is committed to bringing fantastic family entertainment to the gaming world,” said David McKillips, Vice President of Corporate Alliances for Six Flags. “Six Flags Fun Park is the next best thing to actually being inside the park. Now families can keep their favorite theme park gaming skills fresh year round.”

The creation of Six Flags Fun Park demonstrates the way that Brash Entertainment continues to redefine licensed games for the gaming and entertainment industry. Explained Davis, “Brash has already announced partnerships with leading film companies such as Lionsgate Films, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Studios, Vanguard Animation, and Warner Bros. Six Flags is the world's largest regional theme park company; by teaming up with them, we continue to prove our strength in collaborating with the top brands in entertainment and bring the gaming experience to new fans.”

Six Flags Fun Park will be available for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, and the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ videogame systems from Nintendo. This game has not yet been rated, and will be available at North American retailers this fall 2008.

"I'll be honest here, I went out to my car and ten of the little guys were wandering around, bumping into each other and wearing little sandwich boards reading 'Will Work for Hats,'" said Steve Taylor, President of NinjaBee. "We couldn't put them out on the streets after they worked so hard on our game, so we hired them to help around the office. They follow directions to the letter and are very friendly, but not too smart. The way I see it, what could go wrong?"

What could go wrong? How about....MURDER!? Look for A Kingdom of Keflings this fall, unless the authorities find the bodies first.

STUDIO HIRES 20 NEW EMPLOYEES, ALL 3 FEET TALL

NinjaBee, now with more Keflings!

Orem, Utah - June 4, 2008 - NinjaBee, a leading independent developer of Xbox LIVE® Arcade titles, announced today it has hired 20 Keflings to help around the office. Featured in their newest Xbox LIVE Arcade Title, A Kingdom for Keflings, the Keflings are short, happy beings who aren't afraid of a bit of hard work. Once production slowed on the studio's newest city-building game, the Keflings became aimless without constant direction.

"I'll be honest here, I went out to my car and ten of the little guys were wandering around, bumping into each other and wearing little sandwich boards reading 'Will Work for Hats,'" said Steve Taylor, President of NinjaBee. "We couldn't put them out on the streets after they worked so hard on our game, so we hired them to help around the office. They follow directions to the letter and are very friendly, but not too smart. The way I see it, what could go wrong?"

The Keflings are expected to work everywhere from the art department to the copy room and will surely remain happy and occupied. The new title, A Kingdom for Keflings, will feature fun and light-hearted gameplay with graphics and original music to match. Look for A Kingdom for Keflings on Xbox LIVE Arcade this fall.

Capcom is working to expand the breadth of our catalog to gamers of all ages in North America and Neopets is a perfect brand for us to bring to casual and family gamers,” said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom Entertainment. “Combining Capcom’s experience, the rich world of Neopets, and Infinite Interactive’s skills in the puzzle/adventure genre makes a perfect match.”

It sounds like a terrifyingly addictive mix actually, and I personally know several combination Puzzle Quest / Neopet addicts that are probably hyperventilating as they read this. Add the fact that the games will feature unlockable codes for exclusive items on the Neopets website, various mini-fames, and 150 different petpets, and this is a game that has already sold several thousand copies. Hit the jump for the full scoop.

CAPCOM® AND NEOPETS® PARTNER TO INTRODUCE NEW MULTI-PLATFORM PUZZLE ADVENTURE GAME
Neopets® Puzzle Adventure Coming for Nintendo® Platforms and PC This Winter

SAN MATEO, Calif. and LOS ANGELES— June 3, 2008— Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, and Nickelodeon® Kids and Family Group’s Neopets®, the most engaging tween virtual world on the internet (http://www.neopets.com), announced today a partnership to develop a new multi-platform puzzle adventure game, Neopets Puzzle Adventure (working title), for the Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and PC this holiday season. Based on the deep storylines of Neopets, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a new puzzle game being developed by Capcom and Infinite Interactive, developers of Puzzle Quest™.

“As part of Neopets’ strategy to extend the property into a multiplatform brand, we are continuously giving our audiences new ways to play on and off of the site,” said Kyra Reppen, Senior vice president and general manager, Neopets. “Our partnership with Capcom provides a new form of game play for Neopets that is relevant to the platforms our audience is using, and that complements the game play on the site.”

“Capcom is working to expand the breadth of our catalog to gamers of all ages in North America and Neopets is a perfect brand for us to bring to casual and family gamers,” said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom Entertainment. “Combining Capcom’s experience, the rich world of Neopets, and Infinite Interactive’s skills in the puzzle/adventure genre makes a perfect match.”

Set to launch on the three systems this holiday season, Neopets Puzzle Adventure takes puzzle solving skills to new levels with a unique Neopets spin. Based on the classic board game, “Reversi”, Neopets Puzzle Adventure, is a robust and fully integrated Neopets experience as it includes 150 different quests across vast Neopian lands, a variety of the most popular customizable Neopets to choose from, and several fun mini-games to add depth and fun to the gameplay. As a bonus to Neopets fans, players will be able to earn codes throughout the game that connect back to the Neopets site by achieving certain goals throughout the DS, Wii or PC game. These unique codes will allow players to unlock exclusive items back in their virtual world on neopets.com.

Neopets Puzzle Adventure is the only multi-platform puzzle adventure console game based on the popular virtual, global community. For the Neopets fan, Neopets Puzzle Adventure is a must-have game with its intuitive “pick up and play” game play pattern and new never-before-seen areas in the Neopets universe to explore. Neopets Puzzle Adventure will incorporate several different mini-games, 150 petpets, as well as more than 300 items to equip various Neopet characters, recipes, treasures, awards and more.

The King of Dokapon has offered you the keys to the kingdom, and all you have to do is dispose of a horse of invading monsters. Unfortunately he's made this offer to up to three of your soon-to-be ex-friends, and it's a fight to the finish to see who comes out on top and wins the hand of Princess Penny and the crown. This is the premise behind Dokapon Kingdom, an innovative hybrid of RPG combat and leveling with Mario Party board game action, coming this October to the PS2 and Wii.

Players will navigate various playfields, liberating towns from monsters while doing your best to prove a thorn in your opponents' sides while participating in combat and various mini-games. More than just a board game, players will also level up and gain rare items to help them on their quest for kinghood. Atlus is calling Dokapon Kingdom the friendship ruining game, and considering how cutthroat I can get during a plain old Mario Party game, I can see where they're coming from. Hit the jump for the official announcement and launch trailer!

Have Friendships? Let Atlus Ruin Them With Party RPG Dokapon Kingdom The Friendship-Destroying Game for Wii and PlayStation 2

Irvine, Calif. - June 03, 2008

Atlus U.S.A., Inc., triumphantly friendless, today announced Dokapon Kingdom, an addictive new multiplayer RPG for Wii™ and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The King of Dokapon has offered you his throne; all he asks for in return is that you dispose of an invading horde of thieving monsters. Trouble is - you’re not the only one he asked. Contend with up to three friends as you navigate playfields littered with challenges, monsters to defeat, and rare secrets to unlock. Warning: Relationship counseling not included.

Dokapon Kingdom is currently scheduled for release on October 14th, 2008.

Key Features
• Innovative board game-RPG crossover – Tired of shallow gameplay in party games? The genre gets retooled in this exuberant mix of role playing and board games! Encounter zany characters, collect rare items, and explore a fascinating kingdom on your quest to vanquish monsters, gather treasure, and level up!
• The friendship-destroying game – Turn the heat up on your rivalries! Take on up to three other soon-to-be-ex-friends in the race for Princess Penny and the crown. Battle, steal, deface – playing dirty is the name of the game – through a variety of locales and challenges. After your friendships are broken, the game is just as much fun to play alone.
• Never the same game twice – Tons of battles, magic spells, mini-games, and multiple play modes add up to endless replayability!
• Easy, intuitive, and effective combat system – This is no boring game of hack-and-slash. Players covertly choose their actions in an intuitive battle interface that guarantees every fight will surprise.

Dokapon Kingdom has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

About Dokapon Kingdom

The Kingdom of Dokapon is a land of wealth and riches ruled by a gold-loving King and his daughter Princess Penny. One day, monsters begin appearing all over the realm, assaulting the towns and stealing all of the empire’s wealth. The King, unable to collect taxes from his impoverished citizens, calls for heroes from across the land to come and rid his monarchy of these monsters. The prize for the hero who is able to free the land: The hand of Princess Penny and rule of the Kingdom itself!

“Age of Empires: Mythologies will combine one of the most successful Windows PC franchises of all time with the innovative style and controls of Nintendo DS, bringing a totally unique experience to handheld gamers,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With three playable civilizations, a fast-paced combat system and extensive multi-player options, Age of Empires: Mythologies will be one of the must-have tactical strategy games this year.

As long as they stay true to the gameplay established in Backbone's first Age of Empires for the DS I've a feeling Mythologies will do just fine.

THQ Brings Legendary Franchise to Nintendo DS with Age of Empires: Mythologies
Epic Strategy Title Features Three Civilizations, Fast-Paced Combat and Engaging Multiplayer

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Age of Empires: Mythologies is scheduled to debut on the popular Nintendo DS™ system in fall 2008. Inspired by the hit Windows PC series Age of Empires and developed from the ground up for Nintendo DS, Age of Empires: Mythologies will allow players to strategize as legendary heroes, commanding massive armies and shaping the destinies of three unique cultures in both single and multi-player campaigns.

“Age of Empires: Mythologies will combine one of the most successful Windows PC franchises of all time with the innovative style and controls of Nintendo DS, bringing a totally unique experience to handheld gamers,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With three playable civilizations, a fast-paced combat system and extensive multi-player options, Age of Empires: Mythologies will be one of the must-have tactical strategy games this year.”

About Age of Empires: Mythologies

Age of Empires: Mythologies is inspired by the hit Windows PC series Age of Empires and built on the Age of Empires: Age of Kings’ critically-acclaimed game engine. Featuring three playable civilizations with individual campaigns – the Egyptians, Greeks and the Norse – Age of Empires: Mythologies will allow players to lead mighty heroes and legendary monsters, call down divine powers of the gods, and change the tide of battle with an all-new active combat system. Age of Empires: Mythologies will also offer an immersive multiplayer experience with unique maps, customizable rules, a new skirmish mode and single-cart game sharing, allowing players anywhere to go head-to-head worldwide.

And what better company than Q Entertainment to handle the localization? I'm hoping this alliance between Harmonix and Q is only the beginning of what could be a very fruitful relationship for the developers and gamers alike. Hit the jump to read the full press release while I queue up my J-pop Winamp playlist and get incomprehensible for a bit.

Rock Band Goes to Japan

Harmonix and MTV to Partner with Q Entertainment for Rock Band: Japan

CAMBRIDGE, Mass - June 2, 2008 – Harmonix Music Systems, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that they will team up with Q Entertainment, a leading Japanese music game designer, to bring the best-selling music videogame Rock Band to Japan. The two studios will work together to develop the title, marking the first US-originated rock music game to be heavily localized for the Japanese market. The game will feature Japanese musical acts as well as other localized assets.

Rock Band’s return to the birthplace of rhythm games will
benefit from Q Entertainment’s experience designing progressive and engaging games many of which have a heavy focus on integrating music elements into gameplay. Since its founding in 2003, Tokyo based Q Entertainment has become a leader in rhythm oriented titles, including the critically acclaimed music and luminary action puzzle game series Lumines,and the recently released Extend Every Extra Extreme (E4) and Rez HD for Xbox Live.

Today’s announcement was also featured Saturday at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards - Japan, where a Rock Band trailer was presented.

The US-version of Rock Band was also prominently featured backstage and at the afterparty, giving Japanese attendees a taste of what’s to come in the newly announced title.

Rock Band, which has sold over 3 million units in North America and Europe, is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world’s biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic
rock to heavy metal and punk.

Rock Band is a true music platform, with over 12 million songs sold as downloadable content since its initial release. There are currently over 140 songs available for download in the Rock Band Music Store and Harmonix continues to release new music every week.

Since its North American release in 2007, Rock Band has garnered over 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007and three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com .

The press release does reveal that the game will feature the same characters from the original, including Terror Mask recipient Rick Taylor, his imperiled girlfriend Jennifer, and the iconic setting of West Manor, though a new story written by comic book writer Gordon Rennie (JUDGE DREDD!) will see Rick escaping the confines of the house, scouring the world to rescue his girl.

The promises brutal, combo-infused combat, a new leaping technique that adds a whole new element of explorations, and a regeneration mechanic that uses visible cues rather than a health meter to display Rick's status.

The game is coming to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2009. Hit the jump for the whole sticky mess.

NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCES SPLATTERHOUSE

Classic Action-Horror Franchise to Debut on the Xbox 360® and PLAYSTATION®3 System in 2009 with Gruesome Combat and Heart-Stopping Scares

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (May 29, 2008) – NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced the long-awaited debut of the Splatterhouse franchise on next generation consoles with an all-new installment of the series for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, developed by BottleRocket Entertainment. Inspired by the landmark 1988 arcade hit, Splatterhouse combines visceral, adrenaline-soaked combat with horror elements to deliver an original gaming experience that defies the boundaries of the traditional action category with over-the-top gore and shocking new gameplay mechanics.

Splatterhouse follows college student Rick Taylor as he tries to rescue his girlfriend, Jennifer, who has disappeared after entering the mysterious and run-down West Mansion. Confronted by horrific other-worldly creatures, Rick comes across a mystical sentient mask that promises to give him the power to find Jennifer. Full of desperation and rage, Rick puts on the “Terror Mask” and is transformed into a juggernaut of pure violence and destruction. Featuring an original storyline by critically-acclaimed comic book writer Gordon Rennie (Necronauts, Judge Dredd), Splatterhouse takes Rick beyond the mansion as he scours the ends of the world to rescue his beloved Jennifer.

Embodying the unfiltered, primal aggression of its namesake, Splatterhouse gives players countless ways to decimate the mansion’s assortment of demons, monstrosities and abominations. Featuring a dynamic combat system, Rick will be able to use his brute strength to perform bone-crushing melee combos, savage grapples and wield an assortment of makeshift weapons including the series’ trademark 2x4 and even limbs and heads ripped from enemies themselves. Players will also be able to reanimate the corpses of fallen enemies to fight alongside Rick, imparting strategic depth to the game’s battle and unique puzzle systems. More agile than ever before, Rick can now leap great distances and propel himself to out of reach areas by swinging from outcroppings in the environment, adding an all-new level of exploration to the series.

Introducing a new regeneration mechanic, players will be able to determine Rick’s status in battle by visible cues detailing how injured he is, doing away with the traditional health bar. If he succumbs to the mansion’s deadly inhabitants, they will begin to dismember him, savagely tearing away limbs and ripping at his flesh to expose his internal organs. To survive, Rick must call upon the power of the Terror Mask to regenerate his mutilated body, allowing players to watch in gory detail as bones, veins, muscles and skin return to his body in real-time.

“Splatterhouse promises to deliver an experience full of the gore, hard-hitting action and gritty atmosphere that fans of the franchise expect,” said Todd Thorson, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for NAMCO BANDAI Games America, Inc. “Packed with plenty of surprise twists and gripping gameplay, this entirely new entry in the series is set to introduce the bloody saga of Rick and the Terror Mask to a new generation of gamers when it launches in 2009.”

Splatterhouse will launch for the Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system in 2009. The game is currently featured on the cover of the June issue of EGM, now available at newsstands nationwide. For more information, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com.

The Wii version is your standard city creator, allowing you to zone out your land, create transportation systems, and develop buildings based on 13 distinct city styles. Depending on which styles you implement, certain Hero buildings will become available that make your city stand out from the rest. Most importantly, SimCity Creator for the Wii puts you in control of disasters, allowing you to generate your own tornadoes and control giant killer robots hell-bent on destroying all you've worked for.

Meanwhile the DS version will allow you to manage a city through different time periods, from ancient times to the distant future. Both versions should be hitting stores in September.

SimCity Creator, an All-New Experience from The Sims Label for the Wii and Nintendo DS, Coming September 2008
Create, Enjoy, Destroy Amazing Cities on the Wii;

Develop Your City From Ancient Times To The Modern Day On The Nintendo DS

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The Sims™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) Label, today announced the first details for SimCityTM Creator, exclusively for the WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM. SimCity Creator is an open-ended, highly creative game with a sense of humor that allows players to utilize the distinctive gameplay aspects of the Wii and Nintendo DS to create, enjoy and destroy epic cities. The most accessible and light-hearted game from the SimCity franchise, SimCity Creator will ship on September 22, 2008 in North America and on September 19, 2008 in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. SimCity Creator is designed to be a city-game experience for families and players of all ages!

SimCity Creator for the Wii™

Be a powerful mayor — create, enjoy and destroy your ultimate city. Start by zoning your city, constructing homes, businesses, factories, skyscrapers, freeways, railroads, and much more. SimCity Creator is a visually exciting experience with a completely new user interface, designed specifically for the Wii and the Wii remote. You’ll discover many ways to customize your city, including 13 city styles to explore, such as American, European and Asian themes. More city styles will be revealed, so stay tuned for more information!

You can also place a selection of more than 30 “Hero” buildings into your city to make it distinctive and momentous. Some of these iconic buildings are based on the current day, some on history and some on fantasy. The more city styles you explore, the more Hero building options you have.

For the first time, take the liberty to build transportation systems with free placement of rounded and curved roads and rail lines, taking your city to new creative and curvy heights. And get a new perspective on your cityscape from a helicopter, a jet or a propeller plane which you can use to fly over your creation. Check out what you’ve built in your aircraft of choice!

Disasters that players of SimCity always love remain an important and entertaining element in SimCity Creator. Using the Wii remote you can create earthquakes, tornados, call in destructive robots and monsters, create fires and discover many more ways to cause havoc. You created it, and now you can destroy it. With hours of fun and replayability, the fate of your city and its citizens are in your hands!

SimCity Creator for Nintendo DS™

Guide your city from ancient times into the future with SimCity Creator for Nintendo DS. Evolve your city through time, starting with ancient times, the middle ages, modern times, present day and the future. Four play modes are available, Challenge, Free Play, Chance Encounter and Gallery, giving options to make the game as challenging or as creative as you want. Earn epic landmarks along the way to enhance your city and mark your progress into the next era. Choose your path through history and make a city for the ages.

“SimCity Creator for the Wii and Nintendo DS brings two separate, delightful new ways to create, enjoy and destroy your own cities,” said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims Label. “On the Wii, for the first time in the SimCity franchise, you will have the ability to build curved roads and differently shaped zones allowing you to make more authentic places all utilizing the motions of the Wii remote. Employing the new city advisor system, you will be able to make the game as complex or simple as you want. On Nintendo DS, we will give you the ability to make a city develop through time and to overcome the different challenges each era of urban development presents. I know both long-time and new SimCity players will enjoy these innovative experiences in SimCity Creator starting this September!”

SimCity Creator will be available on the Wii and Nintendo DS on September 22, 2008 in North America and on September 19, 2008 in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

Sometimes all you need is an interesting concept to pique my interest, and DTP Entertainment has managed to do exactly that with just a few paragraphs and four screens of this RPG, due out in 2009 for the PC and Xbox 360. Nifty main character, interesting world, potential for almost limitless power...definitely one to keep an eye on.

Venetica: dtp entertainment unveils the new Deck 13 role-play game – for the PC and Xbox 360

Hamburg/Germany, May 27th, 2008 – Deck 13, one of Germany’s most successful game developers, has teamed up with dtp entertainment to present Venetica, a visually stunning role-play game with a cryptic storyline. Venetica mixes emotions and action in a unique free roaming and living sixteenth century world full of surprise.

In the era of Venetica, Death walks among the living as a flesh & blood being, carrying out the deeds of an ancient council known by a few as Corpus. Each generation of the Corpus is set with the task of selecting the next predecessor of the bringer of death. Unfortunately, the most recent council had unwittingly selected a crafty necromancer who is determined on bringing death and destruction to the world.

This conniving imposter has managed to transform into an undead fiend, which no mortal man can kill. This power-crazed necromancer is hell-bent on destroying the reinstated Death and the council of Corpus. Only one person stands in his way, Scarlett, the daughter of Death.

Up to now she has known nothing of her origins, her powers and the capabilities that she possesses – now she is challenged to learn how to develop and use her powers to save her father and curse the necromancer and his henchmen to the eternal hereafter. dtp entertainment is going to release Venetica in 2009 for PC and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. www.venetica-game.com

"While the fantasy adventure storyline and collectible card elements of Wizard101 have broad appeal, as a parent I take the responsibility of creating a positive online environment for younger players very seriously," said KingsIsle CEO Elie Akilian. "Wizard101 is a destination for tweens and teens that's creative and witty, but still safe. We've set the bar high for this game."

Teens and tweens? Is there some sort of verification in place, because between the feature list and combat video I've posted after the jump, I might want to play the darn thing. Such a card battle junkie.

KingsIsle Entertainment Announces Wizard101

Ravenwood School of Magical Arts Opens for Enrollment this Summer

Virtual World Designed Especially for Teens and Tweens

Plano, Texas - May 22, 2008 - Online entertainment company KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc. today announced plans for Wizard101, an elaborate 3D virtual world in which magic and sorcery come to life as players embark on a quest that involves a massive cast of good, evil and frequently silly characters. Designed to fill the void between online play sites for the very young and Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games with mature adult interaction, Wizard101 (www.wizard101.com) puts players in the fantasy role of a Wizard apprentice at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts.

"While the fantasy adventure storyline and collectible card elements of Wizard101 have broad appeal, as a parent I take the responsibility of creating a positive online environment for younger players very seriously," said KingsIsle CEO Elie Akilian. "Wizard101 is a destination for tweens and teens that's creative and witty, but still safe. We've set the bar high for this game."

J. Todd Coleman, an MMO veteran and the creative mind behind Wizard101, is heading up development of the game, which has been in the works for three years. In the game, players will adventure through magical 3D environments as they learn, collect and cast spells summoning fantastic cinematic creatures. Players can also collect bizarre pets and magical artifacts, solve puzzles, make friends, play mini games, and more.

Features include:
• Extensive magical 3D world where players team up with friends and carry out quests to save Wizard City from the forces of Evil.
• Collectible card-style duels that come to cinematic life as players cast spells alongside fellow and rival students.
• More than 101 collectible spells summon zany creatures such as Humongofrog, Evil Snowman and Stormzilla.
• Seven different schools of magic, each with its own unique style and storyline.
• Many witty scenarios and characters based on history, mythology and pop culture.
• The ability to adopt magical pets, like a tiny dragon or flying pig.
• Puzzles and mini-games that challenge the player to earn crystals and enchanted items.
• New outfits and accessories to earn for your customizable Wizard character.

Wizard101 will launch in the third quarter of 2008 and is not yet rated. For additional details go to www.wizard101.com.

“Disney Fairies has become a phenomenon all around the world,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Bringing the game to DS allows fans to play as Tinker Bell and take the Fairies world everywhere they go, while having fun learning about the importance of creativity, teamwork and responsibility.”

Hit the jump for the full press release, which includes information on ladybug painting, dew drop catching, and silkworm tickling.

Silkworm tickling?

Disney Interactive Studios Announces the Whimsical Arrival of Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS™ This Holiday

This New Video Game Brings the Popular Disney Fairy, Tinker Bell, and Her Magical World to Life for Girls Nationwide

BURBANK, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Disney Interactive Studios today announced Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS™ will be available nationwide this 2008 holiday season. For the first time on the handheld platform, fans of Disney Fairies and beloved Tinker Bell can explore the delightful world of Pixie Hollow and play as the popular Fairy herself. Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell allows girls to interact with dozens of enchanting Disney Fairies, including Silvermist, Iridessa and Fawn, and explore Pixie Hollow through time-based activities and mini-quests.

“Disney Fairies has become a phenomenon all around the world,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “Bringing the game to DS allows fans to play as Tinker Bell and take the Fairies world everywhere they go, while having fun learning about the importance of creativity, teamwork and responsibility.”

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell is a color-rich, deep and detailed game that mirrors the beautiful Fairies world that girls have come to love and cherish. In the game, Tinker Bell invites players to discover her mystical world, embark on adventures, explore their fashion tastes and complete fun quests to prepare for the coming seasons. Fans of the franchise will see even more of Pixie Hollow on Oct. 28 with the DVD release of the first Disney Fairies film, also entitled “Tinker Bell.”

Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell game features:

Choose from hundreds of dresses, costumes, shoes and accessories to fully customize Tinker Bell.
Create new designs featuring hearts, flowers and other patterns to place onto outfits.
Barter and trade items collected in Pixie Hollow with other Fairies for new clothing and accessories.
Create trends by gifting outfits to friends and watch as Pixie Hollow becomes filled with Fairies dressed in those outfits.
Earn medals and form new friendships when completing special tasks for other Fairies in Pixie Hollow, including repairing broken items using Tinker Bell’s special tinkering power and locating missing items.
Engage in challenging and fun mini-games, such as catching dew drops, painting ladybugs and tickling silkworms.
Utilizes the DS real-time clock, so environments will reflect time of year or time of day. Girls will witness snow falling in the winter time, fireflies coming out at night and Fairies throwing a huge bash on their birthday.
Use DGamer to chat in a Disney Fairies chat room, share Fairies accessories with friends and dress avatars in outfits from the game.
Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell for Nintendo DS features Disney’s new DGamer functionality allowing players to engage with other Disney game players in a secure online community via their Nintendo DS (Wi-Fi or ad hoc) or computer. The service allows users to log into their DS and online accounts to create and customize a unique 3-D avatar and persistent profile. Kids can chat, view user profiles of their DGamer friends, and post high scores to leaderboards.

Published by Disney Interactive Studios and developed by Genius Sonority, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell has an anticipated Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating of E for Everyone and will be available holiday 2008 on Nintendo DS.

Full press release, with additional details from Square Enix, follows.

SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES SHIP DATE FOR INFINITE UNDISCOVERY
INFINITE UNDISCOVERY is Unchained on Xbox 360: September 2, 2008

Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced today that INFINITE UNDISCOVERY™ for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will ship September 2, 2008. The first in a completely new lineup of Square Enix titles for Xbox 360, this fantasy RPG (role-playing game) is a collaborative project with fan favorite development studio tri-Ace Inc. (STAR OCEAN® and VALKYRIE PROFILE®).

“With the simultaneous release of INFINITE UNDISCOVERY, Square Enix is entering an exciting new period of delivering great gaming experiences to our fans all around the world at the same time, creating new global communities,” said John Yamamoto, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix, Ltd. “This is something that we have aimed to do for a long time and we look to continue to deliver worldwide gaming experiences across all platforms well into the future.”

INFINITE UNDISCOVERY envelops players in an engaging real-time world where every decision you make leads to a myriad of discoveries and affects every encounter. The developers that set a new standard for RPGs by fusing exploration with battle in the STAR OCEAN series establish a new benchmark for the genre, perfectly integrating traditional tri-Ace elements with the technological power of Xbox 360. The experience is enhanced with a soundtrack by composer Motoi Sakuraba from the STAR OCEAN and VALKYRIE PROFILE series.

GAMEPLAY: DISCOVERY & IMPACT
Every discovery and action that players make has an instant impact on the world, creating an unpredictable gaming experience.

Situational Battles
As players are faced with a variety of episodic situational battles, they will discover that they may have to try various methods to defeat the enemy, where the most obvious solution is rarely the right move. Players can assemble parties from a pool of 18 characters, choosing those with the best combination of abilities for the job. Snipe distant enemies with the help of a bow-wielding ally or skilled magic user. Based on each player’s decisions, the intricate environments will offer a variety of experiences, presented in a way never before seen in RPGs.

A Seamless World and Real-time Action
Players are drawn deeper into the world as each act becomes more crucial to survival. To make careful decisions and advance, players will need to rely not only on sight and sound, but also scent. Combat, exploration and other actions will all take place within the same environment, seamlessly shifting between each game facet.

STORY
Known as the throne of the gods, the moon rested peacefully in the heavens. Man enjoyed great prosperity by harnessing the power of the celestial body.

Until one day...
A sinister force ensnared the moon with chains and fastened them to the surface, bleeding the life from the planet. The enchained lands were transformed into withering wastelands, and their once carefree inhabitants now lived in fear. Behind the world's plight were the Dreadknight and his menacing horde, the Order of Chains.

Deep in a forest, in one of the Order's prisons, a young boy named Capell was being held captive. His captors called him the "Liberator," though he had no clue as to what they meant. On the third day of his imprisonment, he was rescued by a spirited young woman named Aya. She was a member of a small band of brave warriors who had gathered under the banner of Sigmund the Liberator to free the world from the iron grip of the Order.

Upon meeting Sigmund, he was surprised to find a man who shared his very face and appearance. This meeting would change Capell's life forever and shake the foundation of the world itself.

The brand new trailer can be viewed exclusively today on GameTrailers.com at: http://www.gametrailers.com/game/5501.html. Additionally, starting this Thursday, the new trailer will be available in full HD on the Square Enix members site at http://member.square-enix.com/na/.

INFINITE UNDISCOVERY is not yet rated by the ESRB. Please visit the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) website at www.esrb.org for more information about ratings. INFINITE UNDISCOVERY will be available at North American retailers for the suggested retail price of $59.99(USD). The official website can be found at http://www.infiniteundiscovery.com/.

Okay, it isn't quite that awesome. Basically the show pits a contestant against the combined minds of 100 people. The game will actually include a fun multiplayer mode that pits the player against a friend, effectively making the game 1vs. 1 and therefor not nearly as entertaining, but still.

Expect to see Bob Saget's smiling face adorning game store shelves this June.

ENDEMOL AND DESTINATION SOFTWARE, INC. BRING THE EXCITEMENT OF THE SMASH TV HIT "1 VS. 100" TO PORTABLE VIDEO GAMING

NEW JERSEY (May 20, 2008)—Endemol and Destination Software Incorporated (DSI) today announced the release of a video game for the Endemol franchise "1 vs. 100." The title will be in-stores in June for the Nintendo DS™ system for $19.99. This is the second collaboration for the two companies, as DSI published the multi-platform video game release for "Deal or No Deal" in 2007.

The "1 vs. 100" game recreates the television smash hit while additional modes of play add elements completely unique to the portable video game. Players can compete against a friend through a multiplayer challenge in a tense battle of the brains, as one player must assume the role of "The Mob" of 100 and stop the other from winning. Other variations include a Poker-style trivia game, where players wager cash based on their confidence of the answer. The video game will feature "1 vs. 100" television host Bob Saget.

"We strive to find unique ways to expand home entertainment and television viewership, and bringing a fantastic TV game show like '1 vs. 100' to portable video gaming achieves those objectives," says Tina Hoover, Director of Production for Endemol USA. "We look forward to continuing our relationship with DSI as they achieve repeated success with the family and casual gaming markets."

"We at DSI are incredibly excited to continue our partnership with Endemol," says Steve Newton, Executive Vice President of DSI. "Bringing this incredibly successful game show to a portable video game system allows players to enjoy not only the game, but also a library of challenging trivia questions. '1 vs. 100' is a perfect pick-up-and-play video game title."

In both its seasons on air, "1 vs. 100" has consistently been the #1 or #2 rated program in its timeslot, handily beating tough competition. Also, the show's ratings consistently increase from the first half hour to the second, proving that viewers just can't turn it off and can't get enough!

The deal between DSI and Endemol was facilitated by Joy Tashjian Marketing Group (JTMG) and DSI's licensing agent, 360ep, Inc.

For more information on the "1 vs. 100" video game, visit www.dsigames.com.

Right now The Protector is at an early stage, so we'll have to wait and see whether or not it delivers on the standard shooter promise of intelligent AI, but the chance of fighting "mythical Aztec creatures" is enough to keep my watching. What can I say? I have an Aztec fetish.

Gingerbread Studios Unleashes THE PROTECTOR

Toruń, Poland (16th May, 2008) - Newly formed Polish developer Gingerbread Studios today announced The Protector, a thrilling PC and Xbox 360 first/third person shooter featuring visceral action, tense, tactical stealth and an enthralling storyline.

The Protector centres on the exploits of two vastly different characters - hardened British mercenary Jonathan Kane and beautiful US archaeologist Jennifer Guile. After an acrimonious two-year estrangement, these two former lovers are reunited when Jennifer's father - a leading archaeologist - is murdered by a new terrorist organisation called Scarlet Vengeance, which is looking for a powerful Aztec artefact to use for a devastating terrorist attack. When Scarlet Vengeance's attentions turn to Jennifer - the only person who knows the location of the artefact - Kane is forced to track her down and protect her. Thrown together in extreme circumstances, the duo must overcome their differences and use their unique skills to thwart the terrorists' horrifying plan.

'Gingerbread Studios has taken the theme of South American mythology and masterfully injected it into a contemporary setting that reflects the escalating threat of global terrorism within the modern day world,' said James Cato, CEO of Gingerbread Studios. 'The Protector's two distinct playable characters and eclectic mix of action and stealth make it highly unique, while its branching, thrilling plot promises to keep gamers captivated till the end credits roll.'

Features:

Play as both Jonathan Kane - a hardened British mercenary and former MI6 agent trained in counter-terrorist tactics - and Jennifer Guile - a beautiful and wily US archaeologist.

Two distinct gameplay modes - searing, tactical shooting action (Kane) and tense, stealth sections (Jennifer).

Use your environment to hide and take cover. Enter into third-person mode when in cover to acquire a better overview of your surroundings. Lean out from behind cover to engage your enemies with minimal exposure. Blind fire around corners when severely pinned down.

Superb world physics where objects are splintered, shattered and sent flying by barrages of bullets and explosions, creating massively believable battlefields. The player can even shoot enemies - and be shot - through thin walls, adding a further tactical element.

Enemies intelligently seek out and utilise cover - just like you.

Disarm enemies by shooting the weapons from their hands, leaving the enemies vulnerable. Once an enemy has been disarmed, they must either reach for a sidearm or run for cover - both of which take time.

Enemy AI uses lifelike line of sight and hearing to determine your whereabouts. Enemies are more vulnerable in darker areas, while their lifelike reactions to sight and sound also provide the perfect environment for stealth-based gameplay.

Fully interactive world, populated by civilians, commuters, students and workers who intelligently react to their surroundings and situations.

Wide range of enemy types, ranging from elite terrorist forces to mythical Aztec creatures.

Intriguing plot featuring two very different endings, depending on your choices.

Challenging puzzles and mini games.

The title contains a nice selection of six big-name board game favorites - Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, Connect Four, Sorry!, and the all-new Sorry! Sliders, each with its own twist for fresh gameplay. Connect Four gets power chips, Bobble gets portal cubes, etc. As a special added bonus, each game is hosted by Mr. Potato Head. Apparently we needed a host, and he was available.

If you ever wanted to get you parents into gaming, Hasbro Family Game Night will probably be your best chance when it comes out this Fall.

EA BRINGS FAMILY BOARD GAME FAVORITES TO THE WII AND PLAYSTATION 2 WITH HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT VIDEO GAME

Host Interactive Video Game Parties with BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, CONNECT FOUR, and SORRY! from the Comfort of Your Living Room

Guildford, UK. - May 16, 2008 - Join your host MR. POTATO HEAD for fun and games with family and friends like never before. From the Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) comes the fun-filled video game HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT, launching Autumn 2008 on Wii™ and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Featuring six games including: BATTLESHIP, YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, CONNECT FOUR, SORRY! and the all new, SORRY! Sliders, HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT is sure to become a valuable family favorite.

With the HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT digital experience, families can enjoy familiar classic Hasbro board games or throw in a fun spin with new versions like CONNECT FOUR Power Chips, BOGGLE Portal Cubes, Reverse YAHTZEE and BATTLESHIP Barrage - which add fresh dimensions and challenges to these legendary favorites. Play with up to four people in YAHTZEE, BOGGLE, SORRY! and SORRY! Sliders or up to two players in CONNECT FOUR and BATTLESHIP.

Players can deck out their very own distinctive digital game room in HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT by choosing a setting and adding earned trophies, cool furniture and decorations all themed to their favorite games. Not only can players customize where they play, but also how they play. HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT features a party mode that gives players the option to build a custom party game by choosing their desired game(s), number of players and setting a time limit. Party mode mini-game challenges include Match the Pattern, Shake for Words and Bomb Run.

"We're giving families a new way to bond and play together," said Chip Lange, Vice President and General Manager of EA's Casual Entertainment Label. "HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT offers parents and their children a digital party experience full of classic brands they know and love. Between original and new rule settings, an easy-to-play party mode and a customizable game room feature, the variety and choice promise hours of fun family play."

"HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT is designed to bring family and friends of all ages together in the digital living room for an evening of 'anything goes' fun," said Mark Blecher, General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. "Hasbro has been providing families with the best in game play for decades, and now they can enjoy some of our most beloved brands with an all-new digital twist."

For HASBRO FAMILY GAME NIGHT screenshots and assets, please visit www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.

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"In Cabela's Legendary Adventures the missions are based on encounters with some of the most famous animals ever hunted in the wild," said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. "Focusing on these amazing once-in-a-lifetime stories has really allowed us to capture the essence of what hunting is all about - a quest for a legendary experience."

Activision's Cabela's Legendary Adventures to Bring Hunting's Greatest Tales to Life

SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 14, 2008: Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) announced today the upcoming release of Cabela's Legendary Adventures for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and WiiTM. The latest title in the best-selling Cabela's franchise will allow players to relive the greatest hunting stories ever told. The game will hit shelves in Fall 2008.

"In Cabela's Legendary Adventures the missions are based on encounters with some of the most famous animals ever hunted in the wild," said Dave Oxford, Activision Publishing. "Focusing on these amazing once-in-a-lifetime stories has really allowed us to capture the essence of what hunting is all about - a quest for a legendary experience."

Players will hunt in different eras in search of trophies such as white-tailed deer, Yukon moose, Alaskan brown bear and Roosevelt elk in over ten of North America's top hunting locations, including Kodiak Island, the Yukon and the Rocky Mountains. Each location in Cabela's Legendary Adventures is a visually stunning open outdoor environment that encourages exploration and tactical variation. Shooting mechanics have been developed to reflect modern as well as historical hunting technology, so players relive the hunts complete with detail from specific time periods.

Under Cabela's guidance, the firearms, tactics and gear in Cabela's Legendary Adventures are as true to real life as a game will allow. The title will also include a large variety of additional hunts featuring over 30 species of other big game, small game, waterfowl, upland birds and turkey.

Cabela's Legendary Adventures is scheduled for release in Fall 2008. For more information visit www.activision.com.