<![CDATA[Kotaku: Game Announcement]]> http://cache.gawker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/kotaku.com.png <![CDATA[Kotaku: Game Announcement]]> http://kotaku.com/tag/game announcement http://kotaku.com/tag/game announcement <![CDATA[ Wild Earth: African Safari ]]> Safari Photo Africa : Wild Earth is a PC game released last year that took home three awards from the 2003 Independent Games Festival awards, including the coveted Seumas McNally Grand Prize. Now Majesco is bringing the adventure to the Nintendo Wii this Spring with Wild Earth: African Safari. The game places you in the role of a photojournalist exploring Africa's Serengeti National Park, tasked with taking photos of 30 different animals in their natural habitat. Get close to the animals for the perfect shot, but get too close and the Wiimote will rumble, making it harder to snap the shot. The Wii version includes co-op multiplayer, allowing one player to drive while two others snap photos, and a mini-game mode that allows players to see things from the animals' point of view. While the visuals don't hold a candle to Afrika for the PS3, this game you'll actually be able to play sometime soon. Dead Wildebeast!

Now Anyone Can Go on a Safari as Majesco Entertainment Announces 'Wild Earth: African Safari'

PC Simulation Comes to the Wii™ System with Exclusive New Features

EDISON, N.J.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—The vast savannas of Africa await exploration as Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Wild Earth: African Safari for the Wii™ home video game system. Developed by Super X Studios, Wild Earth: African Safari is a spectacular safari adventure set in Africa's Serengeti National Park where players can take award-winning photos of the continent's exotic wild life.

"Wild Earth: African Safari encompasses several great passions - photography, travel and the outdoors - and combines them into a fun and informative interactive experience," said Gui Karyo, Executive Vice President of Operations, Majesco. "With exclusive new features found only in the Wii version, Wild Earth: African Safari lets people experience one of nature's most complex and diverse habitats, without needing their passport or inoculations."

In Wild Earth: African Safari, players assume the role of a photo-journalist on a journey to visually chronicle 30 different wild animals inhabiting the Serengeti National Park. From aggressive packs of hyenas to massive rhinos, the beautifully re-created panorama of the African veldt unfolds as players attempt to capture the shots to create informative magazine quality pictorials. But be warned; get too close to the animals or disrupt the natural landscape and the Impact Meter will rumble your Wii Remote™, making it harder to snap a steady picture.

Two new features exclusive to the Wii version include a cooperative multiplayer mode that allows up to three friends to either drive or take pictures, and a Safari Mini-Game mode where gamers can play from the animals' perspective using intuitive gestures via the Wii Remote. In addition, an inspiring soundtrack from world music label, Talking Drum Records, lends an atmospheric backdrop to the game.

Wild Earth: African Safari will launch in spring 2008. For more information about Majesco's exciting line of products, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

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Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:20:11 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=333462&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Konami Brings Hudson Adidas Ad To Europe ]]> Luke Plunkett totally called it. Konami has revealed the first two games coming to Europe as part of their publishing agreement with Hudson, and boy are you Euros in for a treat. The Adidas ad disguised as a sports title previously known as Deca Sports is heading to European Wiis under a new name - Sports Island. Ten endoresed sporting events are yours to play alone or with up to three friends, including beach volleyball, snowboarding, moto cross, archery, figure skating, football, badminton, basketball, kart race, and - joy of joys - curling. Once your up to three friends have left in disgust, you can settle down for a little fishing action with Fishing Master, the cutesy Wii fishing sim. I'd make a crude comment regarding 'master' and 'baiting', but I'm sure the thought popped into most of your heads before I even started this sentence - that's how much I believe in you.

Konami unveils first Wii pair from Hudson Soft...

Fishing Master and Sports Island mark first titles to emerge from Konami Digital Entertainment/Hudson Soft deal
Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced the first titles to emerge from its recent publishing agreement with Hudson Soft. Fishing Master and Sports Island have both been created specifically for the Wii™ and will be released in Q1 and Q2 2008 respectively.

Fishing Master makes full use of the motion-sensitive Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers, and is a fun simulation allowing users to test their angling skills as they attempt to catch over 100 species of fish. Players use the Wii Remote to cast their line, aiming for the silhouettes of fish in the game's beautifully-realised lakes. With the line cast, the Nunchuk is then used to reel in any catches by rotating the analogue stick. However, with the fish putting up valiant fights to get free, careful movement of the Remote is needed to counter their thrashing movements.

Fishing Master boasts a wealth of gameplay modes, with a Tutorial easing users into the intricacies of the game, while solo anglers can opt to earn points by catching rare fish and ultimately receiving the esteemed Fishing Master accolade, or can attempt to catch every species in the game to complete a graphic Fish Encyclopedia. Certain quests and special tournaments offer fishing further variety and let you explore new areas rich in fish. Four players can also compete simultaneously in the game's multi-player mode, each attempting catch bigger and rare fish than their rivals!

Sports Island is an altogether more athletic offering, pulling together ten sporting events and pushing the player to their limits. Players are invited to play addictive Adidas-endorsed versions of Beach Volley, Football, Badminton, Basketball, Curling, Figure Skating, Archery, Moto Cross, Snowboarding and Kart Race. Each uses the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in unique yet accessible ways. As such, a subtle swing of the Wii Remote is used to hit the ball in Volleyball, while subtle twists are needed to ride the slopes in the Snowboarding section.

Up to four players can compete in each event, and, with its entertaining multi-player modes and varied gameplay, Sports Island is an ideal game for players of all ages. Each sport is brilliantly realised and intuitive to play, with sports such as Football and Basketball featuring all the passes and skill of the real thing but without sacrificing immediacy. Similarly, the likes of Figure Skating and Curling demand precision from the player and a different range of skills, guaranteeing hours of entertainment as players attempt to climb the in-game leader boards at the expense of their friends.

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Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:40:43 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=332926&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Wonderworld Amusement Park Brings Mini-Games To Wii ]]> Majesco is bringing all the fun of a visit to a theme park home to the Nintendo Wii this summer with Wonderworld Amusement Park. Along with some playable 3D carnival rides, the game will feature 30 mini-games for the whole family based on real carnival games but designed with the title's five different themed areas in mind. I am guessing that one of those themes is nursery rhymes, making the girl in the screenshot above Little Miss Muffet instead of creepy forest spider rice-cake girl. Players will also be able to create their own character and dress them up in items bought with their carnival winnings, so if you really want to be creepy forest spider rice-cake girl knock yourself out. All I can say is it is about time the Wii got a compilation of mini-games.

MAJESCO ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES 'WONDERWORLD AMUSEMENT PARK' FOR THE Wii™ SYSTEM

New Game Lets You Enjoy Boardwalk Games and Rides in the Family Living Room

EDISON, N.J., December 11, 2007 - Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Wonderworld Amusement Park for the Wii™ home video game system. Developed by Coyote Console, Wonderworld Amusement Park brings to life a fully 3D world of games, rides and prizes across multiple themed areas that players can explore with personalized avatars.

"In summertime, nothing is more synonymous with family fun than a day at an amusement park. In Wonderworld Amusement Park, we bring this sense of excitement and adventure to the Wii with four player support that enables the whole family to play together," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. "Only the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers let us reproduce the real life thrill of these games and rides from the comfort of the living room."

Wonderworld Amusement Park includes 30 different mini-games that mirror real carnival games but are re-imagined in the park's five stylized fantasy areas. Players immerse themselves in this fantastical world of fun by creating and customizing their own unique character with outfits and accessories purchased with mini-game winnings. As an added bonus, gamers can also enjoy playable rides within the 3D park and challenge other family members in several 4-player gameplay modes.

Wonderworld Amusement Park will launch in summer 2008. For more information, please visit www.majescoentertainment.com.

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Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:40:28 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=332424&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ PaRappa Creators Re-Team For Wii Exclusive ]]> PaRappa fans rejoice! The award-winning team of artist Rodney Alan Greenblat and legendary musician and game designer Masaya Matsuura is back, this time bringing together their awesome talents for an exclusive music-based game for the Nintendo Wii, coming in late 2008 from Majesco Entertainment. While details on the project are basically non-existent, just the fact that these two are working together on a new game is enough to get me all tingly. Majesco CEO Jesse Sutton has high hopes for the title.

"We are incredibly excited to be working with talent of this caliber and believe our game shares the same broad mass market appeal as successful music-based products like Activision's Guitar Hero and MTV's Rock Band."
Okay really high hopes, but that's understandable. Being a huge fan of the PaRappa series (Jet Baby is my personal hero), I've got high hopes too.
Majesco Entertainment, Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat Partner to Create New Game Exclusively for the Wii(TM) System

- The Creators of 'PaRappa the Rapper' Return With Music-Based Video Game

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced a partnership with legendary multimedia musician and game designer, Masaya Matsuura, and famed New York artist Rodney Alan Greenblat, to develop and publish an original music-based video game scheduled for release in late 2008. Creators of the highly acclaimed, best-selling PaRappa the Rapper series, Matsuura and Greenblat will bring their engaging gameplay and distinctive art style to the Wii(TM) home video game system for the first time.

"Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat are industry visionaries whose legacy was built on crafting groundbreaking, genre-defining entertainment experiences that everyone can enjoy," said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. "We are incredibly excited to be working with talent of this caliber and believe our game shares the same broad mass market appeal as successful music-based products like Activision's Guitar Hero and MTV's Rock Band."

Adds Masaya Matsuura: "Majesco's publishing know-how and retail relationships allow us to stay focused on creating a game that is conceptually unique and, above all else, fun. Working with Rodney is a true creative collaboration."

"Matsuura-san and I share similar artistic perspectives so I welcomed the opportunity to re-team with him and NanaOn-Sha to produce a one-of-a-kind music game designed from the ground up for the Wii system," said Rodney Alan Greenblat.

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Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:20:53 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=331893&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ 2K Steps Into The Ring With Don King's Prizefighter ]]> The undisputed winner of the video game boxing ring is about to get some stiff competition as 2K Sports announces Don King Presents: Prizefighter, ready to go a few rounds with EA's Fight Night franchise this Spring on the Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, and Wii. Developed by 2K's Venom Games of Rocky and Rocky Legends fame, Prizefighter promises a deep and authentic documentary-style boxing experience, where fighters will experience all of the temptation and adversity of the road from chump to champ.

"In all my years working in professional boxing, I have never seen anything come as close to recreating the thrill, the intensity, the courage and the spectacle of the sport," said legendary boxing promoter Don King. "Don King Presents: Prizefighter is more than a game — it is a glimpse at what life is like in and out of the ring for these incredible athletes."
"More than just a night at the fights" says it all. 2K is gunning for EA, and with Don King's hair in their corner it's going to be one hell of a fight.
2K Sports Announces Don King Presents: Prizefighter

Don King Presents: Prizefighter brings an innovative feature set and story line to set the standard in boxing video games

NEW YORK—(BUSINESS WIRE)—2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), today announced the spring 2008 release of Don King Presents: Prizefighter, the most realistic boxing video game simulation, for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo's Wii™ home video game console and Nintendo's DS™ portable system. This in-depth, documentary-style title will provide the deepest, most authentic and entertaining experience ever seen in a boxing video game.

"The combination of real-life fight scenarios, story-driven gameplay and photo-realistic graphics will set this title apart from the competition," said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. "Our goal has always been to deliver the most engaging and realistic titles, and Don King Presents: Prizefighter will exceed these expectations. Based on the game's innovative features and high-profile fighters, this title will be a 'must have' for any sports gamer."

"In all my years working in professional boxing, I have never seen anything come as close to recreating the thrill, the intensity, the courage and the spectacle of the sport," said legendary boxing promoter Don King. "Don King Presents: Prizefighter is more than a game — it is a glimpse at what life is like in and out of the ring for these incredible athletes."

Developed by Venom Games, the 2K studio that brought Rocky and Rocky Legends to the Xbox and PlayStation 2, Don King Presents: Prizefighter will bring the realism of live action match-ups and the true tactics of the sweet science together for the first time. More than just a night at the fights - players will be responsible for building a career by overcoming adversity, avoiding temptation, and balancing their commitments to train and promote, all while focusing on the goal of ultimately winning and defending the title belt. The story will be told by a revolutionary sports documentary-style narrative never before seen in a video game.

Don King Presents: Prizefighter will be available in spring 2008 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo's Wii™ home video game console and Nintendo's DS portable system, leveraging the unique hardware features of each platform.

For more information, log onto www.2ksports.com/prizefighter.

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Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:40:24 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=331815&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Ain't No Party Like An EA Ninja Party ]]> EA and Nunchuck Games picked the perfect day to announce their new party game for the Nintendo DS and Wii, Ninja Reflex - not to be confused with Ninja Reflux, which is just too painful to go into. What is Ninja Reflex? Think Wii Sports meets Brain Age. Think WarioWare meets an untimely demise. Think ninja-themed mini-games that harness the unique controls of the respective consoles to challenge players to hone their awesome ninja powers.

"Ninja Reflex channels the accessible multiplayer fun of Wii Sports and the self-improvement aspect of Brain Age into a martial arts universe that is ideally suited for the Wii and Nintendo DS," said David Luntz, President and CEO of Nunchuck Games. "Nunchuck Games is thrilled to team up with EA Partners to bring Ninja Reflex to gamers everywhere."
Sure it's another collection of mini-games, but they are ninja mini-games, which makes it alright in my book. Developed by Sanzaru Games, Ninja Reflex will mystically appear on store shelves across North America and Europe in March.
EA AND NUNCHUCK GAMES TEAM UP TO CO-PUBLISH NINJA REFLEX

Party Game for Wii and Nintendo DS Will Challenge Gamers to Develop the Reflexes of a Ninja in March 2008
Chertsey, Surrey - December 5, 2007 - Do you have what it takes to be a ninja? Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced it has teamed with Nunchuck Games Inc. to co-publish the unique action party game, Ninja Reflex™ for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ in March 2008. The game is being developed by Sanzaru Games and will be co-published in North America and Europe by EA Partners (EAP) and Nunchuck Games.

Ninja Reflex uses a series of martial arts challenges to test gamers' reflexes and measure their reaction times with millisecond precision. As players develop their ninja skills, they will strive to earn a black belt from their own personal Sensei. Players can also compete for ninja supremacy against their friends in fierce multiplayer battles with up to four players.

"Ninja Reflex channels the accessible multiplayer fun of Wii Sports and the self-improvement aspect of Brain Age into a martial arts universe that is ideally suited for the Wii and Nintendo DS," said David Luntz, President and CEO of Nunchuck Games. "Nunchuck Games is thrilled to team up with EA Partners to bring Ninja Reflex to gamers everywhere."

"Ninja Reflex trains players to be better gamers by sharpening their speed and skill, and is exactly the kind of unique concept and creative design that EAP helps bring to market on a global stage," said David DeMartini, Vice President and General Manager of EA Partners. "EA Partners brings the same publishing resources to bear for up-and-coming partners like Nunchuck Games as it does for legendary teams like Valve and Harmonix, helping foster the independent game development community by giving studios of all sizes a chance to publish their games around the world."

Nunchuck Games was founded in 2006 by industry veteran David Luntz, who had previously been the founder of Z-Axis Studios.

More information about Ninja Reflex is available at www.ninjareflex.com

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Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:40:34 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=330152&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Codemasters Races Off The GRID ]]> Codemasters is taking the TOCA Race Driver series to a whole new level, officially announcing GRID (Race Driver: GRID to our PAL friends), the driving game formerly known as Race Driver One. Running on the next iteration of their DiRT engine, the game promises to be something more than your standard current-gen driving game.

Says Ralph Fulton, Chief Game Designer. "GRID focuses on everything that happens between the start grid and the chequered flag: the drama, the rivalries, the aggression and the crashes. This is not a game about collecting cars or spending all of your time in the front-end tuning suspension settings or designing liveries. We want to make racing exciting again."
GRID takes place across three continents, with official track races in Europe, street races in the U.S., and night races through the streets and mountain roads of Japan. It sounds almost like three racing games in one, which is completely fine with me. GRID is due mid 2008 for the 360, PS3, and Windows PC.

Codemasters Studios to shift race gaming to a higher gear with Race Driver: GRID.

Race Driver: GRID confirmed as official title for intense new racing experience coming mid 2008 from the creators of Colin McRae: DiRT and Race Driver series.

Codemasters® today announced Race Driver: GRID™ as the full and official title for the game introduced under the working title of Race Driver One. Race Driver: GRID is the new racing experience from Codemasters Studios, creators of Colin McRae: DiRT™ and the Race Driver™ series, and is set to deliver a step-change in the racing genre.

Coming mid 2008, Race Driver: GRID is set to capture every moment from the starting grid to the chequered flag and concentrate those moments into an intense and dramatic race experience. Race Driver: GRID is being developed for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows®.

"Race Driver: GRID is all about the race." said Gavin Raeburn, Executive Producer at Codemasters Studios. "The next iteration of our DiRT engine combined with a decade of experience in developing driving games enables us to put the player at the centre of the action like never before. Damage, packed grids, intelligent opposition and unprecedented race day atmosphere will combine to deliver an experience like no other.

Says Ralph Fulton, Chief Game Designer. "GRID focuses on everything that happens between the start grid and the chequered flag: the drama, the rivalries, the aggression and the crashes. This is not a game about collecting cars or spending all of your time in the front-end tuning suspension settings or designing liveries. We want to make racing exciting again."

Race Driver: GRID will take players to beautifully realised and dramatic race locations over three continents to compete in an unprecedented variety of racing events. Packed with the most powerful race cars - new and classic, circuit and drift - players will compete to conquer the most prestigious official race tracks and championships and then go beyond to compete in challenging city-based competitions, through to road events and urban street races.

In Europe, race gamers will compete on the greatest official tracks in prestige Marques including Aston Martin, Koenigsegg and Pagani.

Iconic cities across the U.S. - including San Francisco, Washington DC and Detroit and each with their own atmosphere and events - play hosts to diverse street races. Here, high-performance V8 muscle cars set the pace in aggressive closely fought pack competitions.

In the Far East, Japanese racing culture sets the tone where night races, including Drift racing, take drivers through neon illuminated cities and to outlying mountain roads. There is also the opportunity to compete in races that operate on the fringes of legality in the back streets and industrial areas of Yokohama.

Race Driver: GRID is coming mid 2008 for the Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system and Games for Windows. To register for future driver briefings and get a place on the grid, be sure to visit www.codemasters.co.uk/grid

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Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:20:25 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327875&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ MiniCopter Takes Off On The Wii ]]> Aksys Games (don't mix those first two consonants!) is bringing tiny helicopter action to the Wii next Spring with MiniCopter: Adventure Flight. The game will feature mission-based gameplay across seven environments, customizable helicopters, and the choice of Wiimote control or classic, for that true RC copter feel.

"MiniCopter: Adventure Flight is a great game for budding RC modelers and children who enjoy playing with RC toys," said Akibo Shieh, President, Aksys Games. "MiniCopter allows kids to customize their helicopter without worrying about breaking their toy and seeing immediate results.
When I was a kid, my dad spent one summer getting up early every Saturday and taking me to the field to spend several hours NOT letting me fly his RC helicopter. While the screenshots look a bit rough, I'm buying this for the catharsis.
MINICOPTER: ADVENTURE FLIGHT TOUCHES DOWN ON THE
Wii™ IN THE SPRING OF 2008

All the fun of RC helicopters without the fear of losing an eye!

Torrance, CA (November 28, 2007) - Aksys Games, a publisher of interactive entertainment products, is bringing the popular RC hobby onto your television screen when MiniCopter: Adventure Flight is released on the Wii in the spring of 2008.

"MiniCopter: Adventure Flight is a great game for budding RC modelers and children who enjoy playing with RC toys," said Akibo Shieh, President, Aksys Games. "MiniCopter allows kids to customize their helicopter without worrying about breaking their toy and seeing immediate results.

MiniCopter: Adventure Flight Features:

• Mission based gameplay!
Engage in 42 missions in 7 different environments from a child's bedroom, hospital, hotel room and more! Use your air cannon and lift suction to discover hidden areas and coins.

• Customize your RC Helicopter!
Outfit your helicopter with a variety of body kits and parts that can alter the performance of your heli and improve your scores in Mission Mode.

• 2 Player Split Screen Mode!
Battle against your friend in a Race for the Rings Mode to see who's the best helicopter pilot!


• Customizable Controls!
Choose from the Wii Remote™ tilt, pointer controls or play with a Classic Controller!

MiniCopter: Adventure Flight has not yet been rated by the ESRB. More information about Aksys Games and MiniCopter: Adventure Flight can be found at www.aksysgames.com.


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Wed, 28 Nov 2007 10:20:13 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=327433&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Be The NBA Ballers Chosen One ]]> If you thought NBA Ballers was a snicker-worthy title, Midway has a real treat for you next year. They've just announced the latest installment of the basketball lifestyle series, entitled NBA Ballers: Chosen One, heading to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this Spring.

"NBA Ballers: Chosen One will allow players to live the life of an NBA superstar," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "Featuring new competitive combo and super-move systems, the NBA Ballers Franchise returns with the amazing realistic graphics for which the franchise is known as players take part in the ultimate challenge to become the next 'Chosen One."
For me the title brings to mind at best The Matrix Trilogy, and at worst Berry Gordy's 1985 martial arts classic, The Last Dragon. If you don't achieve 'The Glow' when you reach Chosen One status, the game ain't worth buying. Sho'nuff!
Live The Lifestyle With NBA Ballers: Chosen One

Midway Announces Third Installment of Popular NBA Ballers Franchise Coming to Next Generation Consoles in Spring 2008

CHICAGO - November 27, 2007 - Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced NBA Ballers: Chosen One as the next installment in its top selling NBA Ballers franchise. The fast-paced one-on-one and two-on-two action returns as players can select from more than 65 NBA superstars to be the next "Chosen One". NBA Ballers: Chosen One is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360™ and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system in Spring 2008.

"NBA Ballers: Chosen One will allow players to live the life of an NBA superstar," said Steve Allison, chief marketing officer, Midway. "Featuring new competitive combo and super-move systems, the NBA Ballers Franchise returns with the amazing realistic graphics for which the franchise is known as players take part in the ultimate challenge to become the next 'Chosen One."

With an optimized next-gen graphics engine, NBA Ballers: Chosen One will continue to set the bar for graphic quality, with the most true-to-life athlete likenesses seen in a sports video game. The franchise's hallmark pick-up-and-play gameplay allows Ballers of all skill levels to master combos and pull off amazing super-moves as they hoop-it-up with the best players in the NBA.

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Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:40:18 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=326854&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Iridium Runners Brings Futuristic Foot Races To PS2 ]]> Foot racing games haven't exactly taken off on consoles over the past few generations. There was that one running game with the animals whose name escapes me, and I know there was one for the PSone, but having played both of them they obviously didn't leave much of an impression. SouthPeak is giving the running game another go this February, bringing Playstos' Iridium Runners to the PS2. The game is set in 2050, and features futuristic tracks where runners must use weapons and power-ups to win. Imagine your Wipeout racer breaks down and you have to hoof it. It looks...um. Well it sure is a running game!

SouthPeak Games Announces Iridium Runners on Playstation®2 system

Original Racing Game Features "On-Foot" Races in Futuristic Tracks with Special Powers and Weapons; Set to Release in February 2008

GRAPEVINE, Texas - November 15, 2007 - SouthPeak Games, emerging publisher and distributor of entertainment software, today announced it will release Iridium Runners on Playstation®2 computer entertainment system in February 2008. The new racing title is an original IP developed by Italian game studio Playstos Entertainment. Iridium Runners, rated "E" for Everyone by the ESRB, gives gamers a futuristic world of on-foot races that requires special powers and weapons to compete.

"Iridium Runners is a racing game from the future with crazy twists and turns that all gamers can get into," Melanie Mroz, executive vice president at SouthPeak Games. "Playstos developed a captivating game that SouthPeak is really happy to bring to market because we know there are a ton of PlayStation 2 system fans looking for fun, new titles."

Set in the year 2050, Iridium Runners puts players in pursuit of the Iridium Championship, a series of athletic on-foot races hosted on wildly inventive tracks and sponsored by futuristic mega corporations. The game combines speed with collectable power-ups and weapons which add to a frenetic pace of the game and many unexpected challenges along the way.

"We created an imaginative racing game experience with Iridium Runners," said Luca Da Rios, CEO and executive producer, Playstos Entertainment. "It's an ideal addition to the PlayStation 2 system's catalog of racing games and now SouthPeak gives us the opportunity to bring it to consumers across the globe."

Iridium Runners will feature several game modes, from full-championship to single-race, with the highlight being split-screen multiplayer. The multiplayer function is split into traditional free-for-all racing and a tactically rich team mode that allows for CPU players to fill space where human adversaries aren't available. The team mode features teams of two players each, with each team racing for the finish line while also attempting to hamper the efforts of their opponents with the available collectables. The game is rendered in a cartoon-style format with visuals that underline the futuristic nature of the overall concept.

For more information about Iridium Runners please visit www.iridiumrunners.com or to learn more about SouthPeak Games go to www.southpeakgames.com.

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Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:40:19 MST Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=323559&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ Samba de Amigo Wii: The Press Release ]]> While Samba De Amigo for the Wii was confirmed as far back as a month ago, we all know that a game isn't really official until there's a press release. Now, Sega has given us that press release, along with a picture of a monkey holding a Wiimote, which, in my opinion, is postworthy in and of itself. Gamers will be shaking their Wiimote and nunchuk in time with the beat as if they were maracas. I'm guessing the Wiimote speaker will be used to making shaking noises, though making them yourself is much more fun. In the coming months, Sega will reveal the soundtrack and special features leading up to the game's release in the Spring. For now, a big picture of a monkey is all yours.

SEGA Gets Shakin' With Samba De Amigo

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (October 25th 2007) - SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. are excited to announce that they are bringing back Samba De Amigo™, the Dreamcast classic that helped to create the now-popular rhythm music genre. Created exclusively for the Wii™ home video game system, this vibrant and addictive new game lets players shake to the beats of a samba-infused soundtrack comprised of popular new songs as well as fan-favourites from the original game.

Playing as the grinning, sombrero-topped monkey, Amigo, players shake the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ like maracas, in time with the visual beats of the music on-screen. The perfect party game, Samba De Amigo is packed with lively stages and a host of colourful characters. More details about this exciting new title including a full song listing as well as new special features will be revealed over the next few months.

Developed by acclaimed developer, Gearbox Software, Samba De Amigo will be exclusively available for the Wii in Spring 2008.

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Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:00:38 MDT Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=315024&view=rss&microfeed=true
<![CDATA[ I Was A Teenage Zombie ]]> teenzombies.jpgWhat's the ultimate defense against an invading horde of giant-brained aliens? Brain-eating, teenage zombies, of course! Ignition Entertainment announces the beautiful combination of aliens and zombies in their upcoming Nintendo DS title Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys! The title alone is worth the price of admission, isn't it? The storyline of the side-scrolling platformer involves a trio of dead teens rising from their graves once an alien invasion disturbs their graveyard.
"The characters in Teenage Zombies have instant appeal," said Ajay Chadha, President, Ignition USA. "InLight's team has come up with a uniquely humorous and satirical take on comics and retro sci-fi. You throw in a solid platformer and some truly entertaining mini-games, and you have a game that is accessible to all and downright fun to play."
Despite not seeing one bit of the actual game in action, Teenage Zombies has secured a place in my buy list for spring 2008.

World Domination, Hordes of Aliens, Ray Guns, Mind Control & Three Teenage Zombies!!

The invasion begins soon on Nintendo DS

Date: 25th October '07

Ignition Entertainment is pleased to announce Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys! is coming to North America and Europe exclusively for the Nintendo DS™.

The Earth is under attack by a horde of Alien Brain... uh...Thingys! Humans, succumbing to ray-guns, mind-control, and shiny flying saucers, have failed to defend their planet and let it fall easily into the clutches of the Big Brain and his army of Brain Thingys. The only hope left for mankind is three Teenage Zombies that have arisen from a graveyard disturbed in the invasion. The undead trio ignores their normal human victims in favour of the pulsing pink brains they see EVERYWHERE - all the while being lured to the ultimate lunch: THE BIG BRAIN! The Big Brain soon realizes he's overlooked this "Super Race" as they inexplicably resist mind control, are unaffected by ray-gun wounds, and devour his Brain Thingy Armies like sweets! He refocuses his efforts and resources to battle the Earth's greatest champions: The Teenage Zombies!

"The characters in Teenage Zombies have instant appeal," said Ajay Chadha, President, Ignition USA. "InLight's team has come up with a uniquely humorous and satirical take on comics and retro sci-fi. You throw in a solid platformer and some truly entertaining mini-games, and you have a game that is accessible to all and downright fun to play."

Teenage Zombies uses a whimsical style that focuses on, and parodies the Zombie genre, as well as 1950s style Science Fiction. This is presented in a comic book look featuring comic book panels, dialogue boxes and story telling. Gameplay involves side-scrolling adventures opening up to stylus mini-games, double-screen boss battles, and brain busting puzzle challenges.

"InLight Entertainment is looking forward to the opportunity to work with such a dynamic publisher," said Devin Young, President & CEO of InLight Entertainment. "Ignition Entertainment brings a wealth of publishing knowledge and I'm looking forward to great synergy between the two companies."

Key features:
• Unique Comic Mode which drives the story with an interactive comic book style presentation
• Platforming gameplay that requires the player to swap between characters to solve levels
• Each character has their own unique abilities to aid them through their adventure
• Mini Games featuring the zombies (or their body parts) using all the Nintendo DS™ features
• The Big Brain Challenge - a series of quick micro mini games that happen at anytime during gameplay to win or lose against the Big Brain
• ZAPS! (Zombie Assembly Pop-up Screen) - a mini-game where you use collected body parts to quickly create a zombie to regain your "unhealth points"
Developed by Inlight Entertainment, Teenage Zombies: Invasion of the Alien Brain Thingys! for the Nintendo DS™ is scheduled for a worldwide release Spring '08.

For further information please visit: www.teenagezombiesgame.com

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Thu, 25 Oct 2007 08:20:03 MDT Mike Fahey http://kotaku.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=314900&view=rss&microfeed=true