Archive for May, 2009
31
May
09
JACON X: Go Ninja! Go Ninja Go!
Many gamers felt bad when EGM, one of the most-respected magazines in the industry, was no longer available. After Ziff Davis sold the mag to Hearst Corp., someone did not give up. Some time soon, EGM will once again return to its independent roots with the help of founder Steve Harris. For many people, the return of EGM could be one of the best pre-E3 announcements yet.
Varios jugadores se sintieron mal cuando EGM, una de las revistas más respetadas en la industria, ya no se encontraba disponible. Luego de que Ziff Davis vendiese la revista a Hearst Corp., alguien no se rindió. Dentro de pronto, EGM volverá de nuevo a sus raíces independientes con la ayuda del fundador Steve Harris. Para mucha gente, el regreso de EGM podría ser uno de los mejores anuncios pre-E3 hasta ahora.
“ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY” FOUNDER
EXECUTES CONTRACT TO ACQUIRE PRINT AND ONLINE
PUBLISHING RIGHTS TO EGM MAGAZINE
BEVERLY HILLS, CA, May 29, 2009 — Steve Harris, founder of “Electronic Gaming Monthly” magazine, announced today that he has entered into an agreement with Ziff Davis Media to re-acquire certain assets, including trademarks and publishing rights, with plans to re-launch EGM in the second half of 2009.
“The re-launch of Electronic Gaming Monthly represents a welcome opportunity to continue delivering quality content to gaming enthusiasts,” said Harris. “I feel honored to once again be associated with this respected magazine. The talented writers and designers who built upon EGM’s original vision have left behind a publication that is uniquely positioned to be successful.”
“Electronic Gaming Monthly is and always has been one of the most respected publications among the gaming enthusiast community,” said Jason Young, CEO, Ziff Davis Media Inc. “We are pleased that EGM is now in the hands of its original creator, Steve Harris, and wish him and the publication the best of success in the future.”
“We have exciting plans for the evolution of what will once again be a leading independent voice for the gaming community,” Harris continued. “The twenty year success of the EGM brand has always been built upon a commitment to its readers who I believe will enthusiastically embrace the changes we are planning to introduce.”
Additional details and future announcements will be made during the upcoming E3 expo and posted on the magazine’s official website at www.EGMNOW.com or via the official EGM Twitter account at www.twitter.com/EGMNOW .
ABOUT ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY:
Electronic Gaming Monthly (aka EGM) was launched in 1988 by Steve Harris to provide independent news, reviews, and other content of interest to video game enthusiasts. The magazine enjoyed rapid success that continued after Harris sold the publication to Ziff Davis in 1996. It has remained an industry leader for more than twenty years and has enjoyed a strong and loyal readership base during that time.
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Link/Enlace : EGM [http://www.egmnow.com/] & EGM – Press Release [http://www.egmnow.com/press1.html].
29
May
09
Eidos @ E3 2009
From/De: Eidos
Eidos Confirms E3 Line-up
Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mini Ninjas and Just Cause 2 at South Hall Booth, #2422
Friday 29th May/…Eidos Interactive Ltd, creator of some of the world’s leading videogame properties, today announced the three major titles that will be on show at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), June 2-4, 2009. The Eidos booth, located at South Hall Booth #2422 will feature Batman: Arkham Asylum, Mini Ninjas™ and Just Cause 2™.
“Eidos is proud to offer three very innovative and unique products at this year’s E3. These games are a reflection of Eidos’ commitment to deliver compelling characters in rich and expansive environments, allowing players to immerse themselves in engaging gameplay,” said Robert A. Lindsey, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Eidos Inc. “Heading back to the Los Angeles Convention Center is a big deal and Eidos is striving to make the return to the show floor unforgettable.”
Featuring the world-renowned characters of DC Comics, Batman: Arkham Asylum, developed by Rocksteady Studios, will be playable on The PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, offering show visitors a journey into the depths of Gotham City’s psychiatric asylum for the criminally insane as Batman faces his greatest challenge yet. Visitors will have the chance to experience a selection of the game’s extensive FreeFlow™ Combat and Invisible Predator™ Challenge Maps. Also playable for the first time will be one of the eight maps that will allow fans to play as The Joker, a character that is playable exclusively in the PLAYSTATION®3 Challenge Maps that will be made available as a free download for owners of the game through PlayStation®Network. Rated “T” for Teen, Batman: Arkham Asylum will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows®, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The game will be available in North America August 25th and throughout Europe August 28th.
Mini Ninjas, from IO Interactive, will take you on a journey to feudal Japan where you’ll join Hiro, Futo, and the rest of the ninja clan on their biggest ninja adventure ever, as they embark on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and older, Mini Ninjas will be playable on Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The game will be co-published in North America by Eidos, Inc. and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and made available in September 2009.
Just Cause 2, from Avalanche Studios, will be showcasing the latest code demo of the hotly tipped action sequel. Set on an Island Paradise, Just Cause 2 is an explosive open-world adventure of insane, adrenaline-fuelled stunts and action. Using the grapple and parachute combo, Just Cause 2 has no vertical limit and takes to the air like no other game. Just Cause 2 will be behind closed doors and strictly by appointment only. Rating pending, Just Cause 2 will be available on the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows®, and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.
28
May
09
Activision: DJ Hero
From/De: Activision
DJ HERO(TM) SUPERSTAR DJs OFFER EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL MIXES
One of the Most Anticipated Video Games of the Year Offers a Globally Diverse Collection of Music Including Hip-Hop, Pop, R&B, Electronica, Rock and More
Friday 29th May/… DJ Hero™ will drop the needle on one of the most anticipated new video games of 2009 with a completely fresh experience and legendary artists including Black Eyed Peas, 50 Cent, Justice, Marvin Gaye, Beck, Beastie Boys and N.E.R.D. DJ Hero features more than 100 individual songs that have been transformed into more than 80 exclusive, original mixes by superstar DJs including DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip and DJ AM. With an innovative, new turntable controller and the hottest music collection of original music, DJ Hero is a unique new social music gaming experience that will excite the millions of dance club music fans who can now play along to hit songs from a range of genres including hip-hop, R&B, pop, rock and electronica allowing them to rule the party with original mixes.
Joining the internationally acclaimed DJ, producer and recording artist DJ Shadow, who has been consulting and contributed several mixes for DJ Hero, and making their video game debuts, DJ Z-Trip, a founder of the mashup movement who’s known worldwide for his sold out shows and eclectic style, and DJ AM, one of the world’s premier and most in-demand DJs today, appear as in-game characters and have each created multiple exclusive mixes for DJ Hero.
In DJ Hero, faces in the crowd are transformed into the life of the party as the game’s turntable controller – created exclusively for DJ Hero and featuring familiar DJ tools including a fully-rotating turntable, sample buttons, effects dial and cross fader – immerses fans into the authenticity of DJ culture and a sea of music. By utilizing and mastering various DJ techniques including scratching, blending, cross fading and sampling, while leaving room for creative expression with a variety of effects and player chosen samples and scratches, gamers will rule the party performing music as only a DJ can. Social expression is heightened with euphoric multiplayer gameplay where two DJs can battle competitively or have a player join in to emcee over any track in the game with a mic. Additionally, gamers can rock together as DJ Hero features DJ-guitar exclusive mixes played with a turntable controller and Guitar Hero® guitar controller.
DJ Hero is being developed by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems and the Wii™ system from Nintendo. The game is not yet rated by PEGI or the BBFC. For more information about DJ Hero, please visit djhero.com.
For more information on DJ Shadow, DJ Z-Trip and DJ AM, please visit djshadow.com, djztrip.com and djam.com, respectively.
From/De: Capcom
Capcom is pleased to announce that for a limited time, 360 owners can purchase the digital download title, Bionic Commando: Rearmed, for just 400MS Points on Xbox Live Arcade.
Bionic Commando: Rearmed is a reworking of the classic 8-bit title, Bionic Commando, which originally released 20 years ago on the NES. BCR brings intense side-scrolling shooting and grappling action up-to-date with stunning new HD visuals, weapons and bionic arm functionality. The musical score has also been redone to add a contemporary tone to this amazing new experience.
Other new additions include a 2-player co-op mode, online ranking system and exciting Challenge Rooms. And last but not least, completing certain sections in Bionic Commando Rearmed will unlock items in the new 3D sequel, Bionic Commando, that launched on May 19th.
This offer runs from Wednesday May 27th to Wednesday June 3rd. Download it today!
From/De: EA
EA Spotlights Blockbuster Titles at E3
E3 Titles Showcase Quality, Innovation, Online Experiences and Focus on the Wii
E3 Expo 2009
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed the games it will present at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) June 2 – 4. The year’s lineup features blockbuster franchises, new intellectual property as well as ten titles for the Wii.
“This year at E3, we have an incredible slate of games for the Nintendo Wii, PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac and mobile devices,” said EA’s CEO John Riccitiello. “Our creative teams are developing some of the most innovative experiences on any platform. We couldn’t be more proud of the games we’re presenting this year.”
EA will kick off E3 with a press briefing hosted by John Riccitiello to highlight many of the company’s creative leaders and top titles from EA. For all the latest information on EA’s games, plus photos, videos, and interviews from the EA booth during E3 2009, visit www.ea.com/e3
Titles which will be previewed in EA’s booth (#1501) at the Los Angeles Convention Center include:
ARMY OF TWO™: THE 40th DAY
The ultimate two-man private military team of Salem and Rios return in ARMY OF TWO: THE 40th DAY, where they must fight to survive a carefully orchestrated series of catastrophes that are dragging the city of Shanghai to the brink of disaster. The game has been built from the ground up with a focus on an incredible cooperative experience. A bigger playbook of features and a new arsenal of co-op moves are available to both players to perform at any time, opening up fresh strategies and choices. The result is a bigger, deeper, more organic and immersive co-op experience that lets players put their best two-man tactics to use whenever and wherever they want.
- Platforms – Xbox 360®, PLAYSTATION®3 and PSP®
- Ship Date – Winter
- ESRB Rating – Rating Pending
Battlefield: Bad Company™ 2
Specializing in online vehicle warfare since 1942 — In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, DICE brings its best-in-class online vehicle warfare to a spectacular new level. By pushing destruction to new heights and delivering a host of land, sea and air vehicles, players will experience all-out-warfare like never before. Whether its intense battles online or in the single player campaign, players must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to survive and conquer. This unprecedented action unfolds on the battlefield to bring a new level of excitement to vehicular warfare never before experienced in a modern warfare action game.
- Platforms – Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and PC
- Ship Date – Q1 2010 (calendar year)
- ESRB Rating – Rating Pending
From/De: EA/Phenomic
Phenomic’s Epic RTS BattleForge Now Available for Free
Players Worldwide Will Be Able to Access the Play 4 Free Version Immediately
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Phenomic™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) studio, today announced that the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game, BattleForge™, is now available to all players as a free download. To download the Play 4 Free version of BattleForge, players can visit www.battleforge.com and click Play 4 Free. Players can also follow the game on Twitter at @battleforge.
BattleForge is a “Play 4 Free” game, like Battlefield Heroes which is currently in closed beta. By being available for free, all players have easy and immediate access to the action and adventure in BattleForge. The flood of new players will enrich the overall gameplay experience and grow the community.
BattleForge’s Play 4 Free version provides players with full access to the BattleForge game, including all community features, scenarios, the recently launched Renegade campaign and 32 of 200 trading cards. Play 4 Free players will be able to explore the full world of BattleForge and, can add more cards to their collection by purchasing points online. Players that do not wish to download the game or purchase the cards online can still buy the retail version which includes a disk-based game and cards from all 4 factions plus 3000 BattleForge Points that can be exchanged for in-game cards. This retail version of the game remains available for $29.99.
BattleForge combines strategy, fantasy, trading cards and magical spells in a dynamic online environment. Combining the strategic, real-time gameplay of classics such as Command & ConquerTM with a fully enabled, online collectible community, BattleForge pioneers strategy gaming with its online multiplayer design and community features set. The collectable cards in the game are the tools of war — each representing a spell, unit or building that is conjured directly onto the battlefield real time in stunning 3D graphics. BattleForge features single-player scenarios and cooperative scenarios supporting 2-12 players, as well as Player vs. Player (PvP) ranked and unranked duels. With co-op play, chat rooms, and a robust marketplace featuring direct trade, an auction hall and in-game mail, BattleForge is the first RTS to combine the social and community aspects of an MMO with an exciting RTS.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS FreestyleTM, POGO, Phenomic and Battleforge. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA’s homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about EA’s products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.
EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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