BRUSSELS, Belgium - for the first time the European Commission has created a funding mechanism specificly aimed at game development projects upt to €100,000. Media 2007, the current media support program of the European Union, has for the first time placed a special focus on games development projects. Grants can be obtained for prototypes of games for consoles, PC, portable devices, and mobile phones.

The total budget amounts to 1.5 million Euro. The support covers all aspects of the production: concept, search for partners, acquisition of rights, design, programming, and development of marketing strategies. The support is direct aid, and not a loan to be repaid.

The minimum amount that can be applied for is 10.000 Euro per project, the maximum is about 60.000 Euro. But prototypes for PC, handheld and consoles can receive up to 100.000 Euro, and the grant can cover up to the half of the budget - with up to 60% for games concepts that focus on the cultural heritage and diversity of Europe.

To qualify for these grants projects must be presented by companies which have at least successfully developed one product since January 1, 2005, and whose head offices are located in Europe, or other states that participate in Media 2007. In the course of the reorientation of the Media 2007 program the game industry has been recognized as increasingly economic and culturally important factor, whose special needs must be considered.

The EGDF, which is the European Games Developer Federation has expressed in numerous meetings with the European Commission the necessity for such a programme. The General Secretary of the EGDF, Malte Behrmann, said: “This is the first visible sign of the success of our political work with the European Commission. We hope now, as the European Union has acknowledged the importance of our industry, that the developer community will harvest the fruits of our work and make their submissions for prototype funding. We would like to be informed about any experiences and problems any members have with the funding system, so that we can propose amendments if necessary”.

Game developers in Europe are now invited to submit their projects. The first application period for submissions to the European Union ends on November 15, 2007, and the second application period runs from November 16, 2007 to April 15, 2008.

Further information can be found at the EGDF website: www.egdf.eu and at:

Atari’s Eagerly Awaited Monster Romp Now Coming to PlayStation 2, Wii and Nintendo DS in Autumn 2007

LYON, FRANCE – 12 September 2007 – Atari today announced the further growth of one of its long-running publishing franchises with the news that Godzilla®: Unleashed, the ultimate giant monster fighting game, is in development for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system in addition to Wii and Nintendo DS™. Developed by Pipeworks, Godzilla: Unleashed is scheduled for a simultaneous autumn 2007 release on all three platforms.

Godzilla: Unleashed is a fighting game on a giant scale, starring the legendary Godzilla and a host of more than 20 of the most renowned monsters of all-time. Players are challenged to save the planet from mayhem and destruction, but not before causing some of their own. Set in nine urban arenas, Godzilla: Unleashed’s interactive 3D cityscapes, big destructible buildings, soaring skyscrapers and towering alien formations provide the backdrop to epic battles and comprehensive destruction.

“Bringing Godzilla: Unleashed to the vast PlayStation 2 audience as well as the massive and growing Wii and DS fanbase is another feather in the cap of Atari’s growing publishing line up,” said Mathias Hautefort, Executive Vice President of publishing and production, Atari. “The Godzilla license is a global phenomenon and Atari has a successful history of putting the player in control of everyone’s favourite monster. This most recent collaboration with independent studio Pipeworks will result in yet another must-have monster romp.”

The character line-up on the PlayStation 2 features new monsters not found on the Wii and DS versions of the game. Players will fight more than 20 monsters, with the newcomers taking their place amongst the familiar faces from past Godzilla video games. Godzilla: Unleashed features an innovative non-linear storyline which lets players influence how the story unfolds through their choices in battle, and a flexible multiplayer mode which supports up to four players for the ultimate city-crushing monster mash.

For more information on Godzilla: Unleashed, Atari and its entire product line-up please visit www.atari.com.

Hudson to Release an All-New Sci-Fi Themed Side-Scrolling Shooter

REDWOOD SHORES, CA - September 12, 2007 - Leading video game publisher Hudson Entertainment has partnered with Natsume to bring gamers an all-new IP titled Omega Five for the Xbox LIVE^® network. Omega Five is a graphically intense, side-scrolling shooter set in a three-dimensional environment, and features some truly hardcore action never before seen on the platform. The game is expected to launch worldwide in November 2007.

Set in a futuristic world, Omega Five is a shooter that pushes the visuals to the limit for a digital download game. The game feature 3D environments, dazzling special effects, and massive battles, all in high definition. Omega Five is unique in that players can choose from multiple humanoid characters, each with their own unique special attacks and upgradeable weapons, which they can shoot in 360 degrees. Omega Five also includes a local co-op function in which a friend can join in on the aerial mayhem.

“Hudson is truly pleased to be working with Natsume on bringing an all new franchise to shooter fans worldwide,” said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. “Omega Five promises to be the most challenging shooter in the Xbox LIVE Arcade library, and will appease the most hardcore fan of the genre.”

We are pleased to announce that Flight1’s classic airliner is back and now flying in the Flight Simulator X and Vista skies!

Done in partnership with CoolSky, “Ultimate Airliners - The Super 80″ brings back the classic modes of flying in the era where glass was just starting to appear. This rendition is based on the original Super 80, circa 1979. So with the combination of classic analogue and early electronic navigation, you have a product that requires a lot of attention, but also rewards proper cockpit management. For the uninitiated the Super 80 comes complete with the unique Integrated Cockpit Training System to guide you through the steps required in order to have a successful and accurate flight.

Flight1 are shipping the Super 80 to resellers worldwide and it is also available direct from www.flight1.com priced at US$39.95.

More Than Two Million Single Songs Accessed Through Xbox LIVE Marketplace^® since AprilHighly Anticipated Sequel Guitar Hero III to Feature Master Tracks, Original Songs and Downloadable Content

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sep 11, 2007 - Downloadable Xbox 360 video game song packs for Activision, Inc.’s (Nasdaq:ATVI) Guitar Hero^TM II hit multi-platinum status with more than 650,000 downloads through Xbox LIVE Marketplace^® in less than five months, as defined by the music industry’s RIAA. Each downloadable pack contains three individual songs. Individual songs combined have topped the two million mark, making the Guitar Hero II packs some of the most downloaded content on Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

“Activision was the first third-party publisher to offer downloadable content via Xbox LIVE to consumers and as a result, we have tremendous insight into the types of content that consumers want,” states Dusty Welch, head of publishing, RedOctane. “The Guitar Hero II downloadable video game song packs are some of the most popular content on Xbox LIVE and are quickly becoming a very lucrative revenue stream and powerful promotional vehicle for musicians and record labels today.”

Tim Riley, worldwide executive of music for Activision, added, “Activision has long been a pioneer in recognizing the importance of music in games and has forged unprecedented partnerships with all of the major record labels, music publishers and bands in order to offer Guitar Hero fans unrivaled access to music catalogues.”

“We have been working very closely with Activision to make our catalog available for download for the Xbox 360 version of Guitar Hero II. The results we have seen from download sales to date have been very impressive. This partnership is providing EMI Music Publishing and its songwriters with a valuable new source of revenue, and at the same time giving us the opportunity to exploit portions of our catalog that might otherwise not get such high-profile exposure,” remarked Rod Kotler, Director of Music Services, EMI Music Publishing.

On August 14, 2007, Activision released a new My Chemical Romance video game song pack which included original recordings of the hit songs Teenagers, Famous Last Words, and This is How I Disappear from the band’s latest album “The Black Parade.” In its first week of release, over 50,000 downloads of the three-song pack were purchased through Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Commenting on the success of the My Chemical Romance video game song pack, Brian Schechter, the band’s manager, said, “Activision has always had the artists and music culture in mind for their games. Now, the band’s fans will be able to enjoy their music in a new way that they truly enjoy. As long as Activision and Guitar Hero keep providing quality products to the world, I would love to have all Riot Squad artist’s in business with them.”

Additionally, Activision’s highly anticipated sequel, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock will feature master tracks from some of rock’s most legendary bands like the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica, as well as original songs by such guitarist icons as Slash and Tom Morello. The sequel also will offer a vast array of downloadable content including songs from some of the most popular European bands.

“Having Warner Music Group’s master recordings in Guitar Hero III is a fantastic opportunity for everyone. Both our current and catalog artists are being exposed to new audiences through this great game. By selling additional tracks, we don’t have to wait for another volume of the game to be released to offer new artists and music to gamers around the world,” said Mark Pinkus, SVP Synch Licensing & Strategic Marketing at Rhino Entertainment.

To date, Guitar Hero games have sold more than 5.5 million units, according to The NPD Group, Charttrack and Gfk. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is scheduled to launch in October on all major console platforms and is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

Japan’s best developers are betting big on Xbox 360 in 2007 and beyond, as Microsoft announces best-ever holiday entertainment lineup.TOKYO — Sept. 12, 2007 — Flanked by a who’s who of Japanese gaming luminaries and video game development legends, Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., took the stage at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007 to announce support from some of Japan’s most renowned game developers and unveil an unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system.

Two of Japan’s most celebrated game developers, Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/Tecmo Ltd. and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker, joined Sensui onstage to announce their support for the Xbox 360 platform. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop “NINJA GAIDEN^® 2,” the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed Xbox^® original, exclusively for Xbox 360. Sakaguchi revealed pricing1 and availability for Mistwalker’s upcoming role-playing game (RPG) “Lost Odyssey^TM,” available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and around the world in early 2008. In addition, representatives from SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new games for Xbox 360: “INFINITE UNDISCOVERY^TM” and “THE LAST REMNANT^TM.”

Japanese Developers Embrace Xbox 360

“NINJA GAIDEN^® 2″ is the long-awaited sequel to the platinum-selling Xbox original, where players once again assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as they guide the ninja hero on a quest to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Team NINJA’s announcement that “NINJA GAIDEN^® 2″ will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and available worldwide in 2008 provided gamers everywhere with plenty of reason for excitement, and served as yet another example of the blockbuster games being created by Japanese developers exclusively for the platform.

Xbox 360 owners in Japan will be the first to experience the magical world of “Lost Odyssey,” created by Mistwalker/feelplus Inc., and featuring a beautifully told story by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the “Final Fantasy” video game franchise. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe, “Lost Odyssey” headlines a lineup of games by Japanese developers for Xbox 360 owners around the world this holiday, including these:

• “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” takes players up to the sky and into the heat of realistic air combat with next-generation audio and visual effects and online multiplayer action.2 Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.
• “Beautiful Katamari” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). Marking the debut of Namco’s beloved ball-rolling puzzle game on a next-generation platform, “Beautiful Katamari,” the fourth installment of the “Katamari” series, features levels of quirkiness, cosmic animations and musical stylings never seen before. Available in October.
• “Lost Odyssey” (Microsoft Game Studios/Mistwalker/feelplus Inc.). Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing experience to Xbox 360 in “Lost Odyssey.” Players will be led through a dramatic story of massive scale that features breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure made possible only by the power of Xbox 360. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and worldwide in 2008, only on Xbox 360.

Plus:

• “Battlefield: Bad Company” (Electronic Arts)
• “Battlestations: Midway” (Eidos Interactive Ltd.)
• “Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War” (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
• “CASTLE SHIKIGAMI III” (ArcSystemWorks Co. Ltd.)
• “Dynasty Warriors 6″ (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
• “Dynasty Warriors: Gundam” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
• “Final Fantasy XI Play Online All in One Pack 2007″ (SQUARE ENIX)
• “Final Fantasy XI Wings of the Goddess” (SQUARE ENIX)
• “Just Cause” (Electronic Arts)
• “Mobile Ops: The One Year War” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
• “Operation Darkness” (SUCCESS Corp.)
• “Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008″ (Konami)
• “ZOIDS ALTERNATIVE” (TOMY Co. Ltd.)

This incredible lineup joins many other amazing games from developers around the globe that will be available this holiday in Japan and around the world, including the following:

• “Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft Entertainment). “Assassin’s Creed” is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft that merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world where players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and experience the art of a master assassin. Available this November.
• “Halo 3″ (Microsoft Game Studios/Bungie Studios). In “Halo^® 3,” the third installment of the landmark “Halo” trilogy and hugely anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed “Halo 2,” people everywhere can take on the role of Master Chief^TM and experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind. In this third chapter of the “Halo” trilogy, Master Chief returns to face his greatest challenge as he readies himself for the final battle and seals his place in history. A hero must rise. Believe. Available worldwide, with availability in the United States on Sept. 25 and Japan on Sept. 27, only on Xbox 360.
• “Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom” (Microsoft/Blueside Inc.). Six heroes from the “Kingdom Under Fire” universe fight their way through the Dark Dimension against hordes of demented monsters in a twisted action RPG exclusive to Xbox 360. Coming this winter, “KUF:COD” features seamless four-player co-op2 via Xbox LIVE^®, randomly generated maps and nearly infinite weapons combos with unique abilities, enhancements and magical powers for players to learn and master.
• “Project Gotham Racing 4″ (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.). “Project Gotham Racing^® 4″ will redefine the acclaimed “PGR^®” franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles. Available this October, only on Xbox 360.
• “Viva Piñata: Party Animals” (Microsoft Game Studios/Krome Studios Pty. Ltd.). An exciting new party game based on the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive and hit animated TV series, “Viva Piñata^TM: Party Animals” brings back the familiar piñata characters and invites players to compete in more than 40 mini-games against friends at home or over Xbox LIVE.2 Available this holiday season, only on Xbox 360.

“Gamers around the world can look forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan’s best and most innovative developers, and we’re looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond.”

Xbox LIVE Arcade Continues High-Definition Downloadable Games Innovation in Japan

Japanese developers have long embraced and championed Xbox LIVE Arcade, with hits including “Pac-Man Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), “Bomberman Live” (Hudson Entertainment), “Frogger” (Konami) and “Fatal Fury Special” (SNK PLAYMORE Corp.). Several new titles from these and other Japanese developers will be added to the diverse portfolio of digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including the following:

• “Every Extend Extra Extreme” (Q Entertainment). The latest creation from Q Entertainment, “Every Extend Extra Extreme,” or E4, is a unique action-packed shooter where the goal is to perfectly time your self-destruction to create chain reactions that explode surrounding enemies. With outrageous visuals and the ability to play your own favorite music, E4 puts a new twist on puzzle shooter games.
• “EXIT” (Taito). An addictive, frenzied puzzle game, “EXIT” has players using their decision-making skills and wits to escape numerous obstacles, while rescuing people from more than 100 different emergencies. Players must save as many lives as possible while finding the fastest way out when “EXIT” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade by the end of the year.
• “Ikaruga” (Treasure Co. Ltd.). “Ikaruga” is a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two.2 Available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Ikaruga” is the perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade heroics.
• “OMEGA FIVE” (Hudson Entertainment). “OMEGA FIVE” is a next-generation, high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides, even from behind.
• “Rez” (Q Entertainment). “Rez,” the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of “Rez” takes players deep into the world’s computer network, where they must hack the system, altering the visual output and even taking over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.
• “Triggerheart Exelica” (Warashi). A shoot’em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships, “Triggerheart Exelica” dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player’s skill level. “Triggerheart Exelica” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.

Other exciting Xbox LIVE Arcade games available in the coming months include these:

• “Braid” (Number None Inc.). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Braid” is a platformer/puzzle game. The player journeys across seven worlds to rescue a princess; in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. The player must cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. “Braid” aims to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience.
• “Castlecrashers” (The Behemoth). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Castlecrashers” is the second title currently in development by award-winning independent developer the Behemoth. The four-player RPG adventure will let players hack, slash and smash their way to victory. “Castlecrashers” delivers unique high-resolution illustrated visuals, including memorably hand-drawn characters that are cute and menacing at the same time. Gamers can play with up to three friends locally or over Xbox LIVE2 and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing world of “Castlecrashers.”
• “Schizoid” (Torpex Games LLC). “Schizoid,” from independent studio Torpex Games, is the first Xbox LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA^TM Game Studio. Debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year, “Schizoid” is an action-packed game focused on co-op gameplay2 in which players smash barrages of glowing enemies while cooperating closely to protect each other.

Microsoft Brings Tokyo Game Show Home With Xbox LIVE

Once again, Microsoft will bring the Tokyo Game Show experience into living rooms worldwide as it offers its “TGS Bring It Home” programming, delivering hours of coverage from the press briefing, all the best highlights from the show floor, interviews with developers, gameplay videos, exclusive cinematic trailers and a variety of Xbox 360 content for gamers to download over Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning Sept. 13, 2007.

About Xbox 360

Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 will have a portfolio of more than 300 games and will be available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

On Monday, Sept. 10th, the PraetoriaGuard has released “Trinity” to
the public. This six episode machinima series spotlights the beauty
and power of the Halo 2 engine combined with spectacular
post-production effects created with the skills of on staff
professional videographers. Initial response to what some have called
the “be all end all halo 2 machinima series” has been strong. We
invite you to enter the dark reaches of space, we invite you to
partake in a story line two years in the making, we invite you to …
Trinity.

http://www.praetoriaguard.com/trinity/