Blue Orb Asks Gamers: Want A Free Year Of WoW?

Maitland, Fla. – Dec. 4, 2007 - Blue Orb, Inc., the company behind SwitchBlade^TM, the software that lets gamers play World of Warcraft^® with an Xbox 360^® controller, is giving away a year-long subscription to World of Warcraft for 12 lucky users.

Between Dec. 4 and Dec. 31, gamers can visit www.switchbladegaming.com to download and register SwitchBlade for a chance to win a 12-month subscription to World of Warcraft. Existing registered SwitchBlade users will automatically be entered into the drawing.

SwitchBlade brings the console experience to PC games, starting with World of Warcraft and supporting many other titles in the near future.

2K Games Releases Downloadable Content and Enhancements for BioShock

BioShock players can elevate their gaming experience with new Plasmids, achievements and widescreen options for free

New York, NY - December 4, 2007 - 2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that BioShock, its top-rated title exclusively available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Games for Windows®, has released new downloadable content for players on both platforms. The content includes new Plasmids and Tonics, achievements and interface upgrades, and is now available as free downloadable content from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace, through an Xbox 360 Title Update, and as part of a PC patch.

“As one of the highest rated games of the year, we wanted to continue to connect with the fans that made BioShock such an overwhelming retail and critically-acclaimed hit,” said Christoph Hartmann, President of 2K. “We are excited to offer new downloadable content that will extend and enhance the replay value of this title.”

New downloadable content includes:

Four Plasmids and Gene Tonics:

• Sonic Boom: Hurls creatures and objects back with a blast of force
• EVE saver: Enables Plasmids to use less EVE
• Vending Expert: Reduces prices in the vending machines
• Machine Buster: Increases the amount of damage players deal to cameras, bots and turrets

Achievements (exclusive to Xbox 360):

• Xbox 360 players can gain 100 points for “Brass Balls,” by beating BioShock on the “hard” difficulty setting without dying

In response to gamers’ requests and feedback from the Cult of Rapture (www.CultofRapture.com) community forums, fans of BioShock now have a widescreen option, granting a wider horizontal field of vision, as well as additional enhancements to the game. The Xbox 360 Title Update will be automatically applied at the game’s startup when users log into Xbox LIVE. PC owners can access both the additional content and gameplay improvements via a downloadable patch, available at www.2Kgames.com/bioshock/support.

Developed by 2K Boston and 2K Australia and rated M for Mature, BioShock is a “genetically enhanced” first-person shooter that lets players do things never before possible in the genre. Gamers enter the game as a castaway in Rapture, a decaying art deco underwater utopia torn apart by civil war. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by genetically modified “splicers” and deadly security systems, players have to come to grips with a deadly, mysterious world filled with powerful technology, fascinating characters and morality defining choices. To make it to the end, players can turn everything they encounter into a weapon, biologically modify their body with Plasmids, hack devices and security systems, upgrade weapons, craft new ammo variants, and experiment with different battle techniques. No encounter ever plays out the same and no two gamers will play BioShock the same way.

For more information on the game, please visit www.2Kgames.com/bioshock.

Get a Taste for Gallic Victory in the Fully Playable PC Demo of the Video Game of the Film; Game Available Now for PC, Wii, Nintendo DS^TM and PlayStation^®2

LYON, FRANCE – 4 December 2007 – Atari today announced that the fully playable PC demo for Asterix at the Olympic Games can be downloaded from the official website at www.atari.com/asterix. Available now at retailers across Europe for PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC, Asterix at the Olympic Games is the game of the forthcoming live action feature film and combines live action elements from the film with high-end computer generated and video game animation to deliver fans an original and highly entertaining Asterix experience.

Localised in six languages, the demo lets players jump in the shoes of either Asterix or Obelix and meet some of the game’s leading characters including Brutus and Alafolix alongside a decent sized horde of Romans to bash. Players can switch on the fly between Asterix and Obelix at any point throughout a series of escapades, including sporting challenges, devious puzzles, and a charming fusion of music and clobbering Romans. All in a day’s work for everyone’s favourite ancient Gauls.

In Asterix at the Olympic Games players join Asterix, Obelix and his faithful hound Dogmatix on the road to Greece as they run to the aid of love stricken friend Alafolix. Much fun and madcap adventuring follows as Asterix and his friends enter the fray in their own inimitable style, coming head to head with Brutus, his muscle-bound champion, and of course their ultimate archenemy, the mighty Julius Caesar.

Asterix at the Olympic Games is developed by Etranges Libellules in close collaboration with Asterix licensor Les Editions Albert René and with film production company La Petite Reine. The live action feature film has the biggest production budget of any film in European cinema history and is scheduled for release across Europe in early 2008.

A PlayStation®2 demo with the same content is scheduled to appear on Official PlayStation 2 magazine in December. For more information about Atari’s entire product line up, visit www.atari.com.

Tuesday 4th December/… Make sure your Christmas party has plenty of “Wa-hey!” this year by kicking off the festive season with a copy of Cheggers Party Quiz on Wii: the ultimate entertainment quiz game hosted by Keith ‘Cheggers’ Chegwin. Discover who is the most knowledgeable amongst your friends and family when it comes to the worlds of film, music and TV in a series of fast-paced, competitive rounds designed for all ages.

“A decent variation of rounds… things progress at a healthy pace, unlike with many quiz-based video games.” – Eurogamer

“An excellent way to keep the family arguments at bay this Christmas.” – TV Hits!

“Perfect for some post-pub scratching of the grey matter.” – Irish News

“A nice, neat quiz format… a definite must for a Christmas family party.” – 8.5/10, Soteriamag.co.uk

The game features eight exciting competition rounds (Opening Night, Big Break, Picture Show, Star Turn, Prime Time, Typecast, Channel Hopping and Final Cut) that can be played on your own or, even better, with up to four teams or individuals on Wii.

With the Nintendo Wii being at the top of every Christmas list this season, Cheggers Party Quiz is a fun-packed quiz for all the family that is the perfect stocking-filler for all Wii owners, which also includes console-exclusive features. Rather than just pressing a control pad button for your answer, Cheggers Party Quiz utilises Wii technology during its quick-fire rounds so that the first with their Wii Remote in the air with the correct answer bags the big points.

Keith Chegwin, podcaster and virtual star of Cheggers Party Quiz, says:
“I can’t tell you how excited I am about my first video game appearing on the Wii. Cheggers Party Quiz and Wii are the perfect fit and we have so much in common – we’re small but perfectly-formed and ideal fun for all the family this Christmas. Wa-hey!”

With a broadcast career that spans five decades, Keith Chegwin rose to prominence in the mid-1970s with presenting slots on Multi-Coloured Swap Shop and Saturday Superstore, as well as hosting classic TV game shows like Cheggers Plays Pop. More recently, Cheggers has appeared in Ricky Gervais’ critically-acclaimed Extras comedy show and has a regular outdoor segment on GMTV.

Cheggers Party Quiz arrives on Wii Friday 7th December, priced at £34.99 and is also currently available on PC and PlayStation2.

To become friends with Cheggers Party Quiz on Facebook, visit: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=764054816

To join the Cheggers Party Quiz great Wii giveaway group and become one of the 10,000 in with a chance of winning, visit: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6957744007

For more information about Cheggers Party Quiz, go to:
www.oxygengames.net

To listen to the Cheggers weekly podcast, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/cheggerspodcasts or

Or, directly:
On iTunes or
http://cdn.libsyn.com/westie/Cheggers_Plays_Podcast_1.mp3

Well its that time of year when santas sack is kinda full and its in need of some emptying…

We have Wii points up for grabs to get yer latest bits n peices from that lovley wii shop… Plus we have some mystery prizes up for grabs from Oxygen Games and THQ so get yer challenge pictures in and fingers crossed that santa will be emptying his sack on your doormat !!! Only a few days left!!!

We have the following challenges on offer:

Challenge 1 :Mario & Sonic @ the olympics
Get the best score you can in hammer throw———————————————————-

Challenge 2 :

Wii SportsGet the best score you can in golf 3 hole expert———————————————————

Challenge 3:

Mario & Sonic @ the olympicsbest distance at long………………..jump———————————————————

Challenge 4:

Wii SportsDodge as many balls as you can in the boxing training game————————————————————

Challenge 5:Wii SportsGet as many points as you can in the tennis target practice

————————————————————

Normal game rules apply:

ALL ENTRIES MUST HAVE THE TV IN THE PICTURE

All entries MUST be posted in the relevant forums with relevant pictures.
Anyone found cheating will automatically forfeit this comp and future comps.
This will run till the 17th of December 2007.
My decision on the winner is final.
If there is a tie i will set a tie breaker.
Have fun!

Movies such as 300, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Good German and much more available to download

LONDON - 4 December 2007 - Following the huge success of Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace Video Store in the US, where it has changed the way Xbox 360™ owners view and enjoy video, Microsoft® today announced that Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store will open for business in the UK on 11th December.

Xbox 360 owners will be able to rent full-length films such as 300, The Good German, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from as little as 250 Microsoft Points (*ERP £2) for Standard Definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (*ERP £3.20 [1]) for High Definition movies. This is in addition to over 100 music videos currently available to download from partners Ministry of Sound, Sony BMG, PIAS and Vid Zone.

With this launch, Xbox LIVE Marketplace becomes the first video on demand service to be available in six countries – US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France and Germany - and cements its place as the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content.

Robin Truchy, Director of Xbox LIVE for Europe, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, commented: “Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store in Europe is all about adding to the ever-expanding number of entertainment choices that our consumers have on their Xbox 360. We want to give them the entertainment they want, in the format they want, when they want it and at an affordable price. We were already offering HD games, HD music videos and the option to enjoy HD-DVD format films, now we are offering HD movies to download and rent as well. This is very exciting for us and the consumer.”

“Providing consumers with more choices and improving the movie experience at home is at the heart of Warner Bros. Digital Distribution’s strategy and we’re delighted to support Xbox Live for the European launch of their Video On Demand service” said Marc Gareton, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution Senior Vice President International.” Microsoft has built a very successful platform, in both Standard Definition and High Definition, and we are happy to make it a home for our movies.”

Arash Amel, Senior Analyst, Head of Broadband Media, Screen Digest, commented: “As Hollywood turns its attention towards selling digital copies of its blockbuster movies, the delivery of movie content over the open internet has become a key battleground for a broad range of service providers. Screen Digest predicts that the total European movie download market will be worth €350m by 2012, up from €17m in 2007[2]. The Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, as the first multi-territory hardware-based online movie delivery service in Europe, is expected to be a European market leader for movie downloads. Consumers in both the US and Europe have already made it abundantly clear that they are reluctant to watch two-hour long films on their PC, instead preferring to view them on personal devices or most preferably devices that can provide a link to their large-screen living room TVs and home entertainment systems.”

Xbox 360 gamers in the launch countries can access Xbox Live Marketplace Video Store with either an Xbox Live Silver or Gold membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store can be found at: www.xbox.com

Examples of Launch Titles on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store[3]:

UK/Ireland
300
HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
ZODIAC
MATRIX, THE
MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, THE
MATRIX RELOADED, THE
OCEAN’S ELEVEN
PERFECT STORM, THE
SWORDFISH
THREE KINGS
TRAINING DAY
FUGITIVE, THE
RISKY BUSINESS
SPACE COWBOYS
EYES WIDE SHUT
ANALYZE THIS
DEMOLITION MAN
ERASER
EXECUTIVE DECISION
LETHAL WEAPON 3
LETHAL WEAPON 4
LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION
MARS ATTACKS!
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SUPERMAN III
DEAD CALM

With weapons forged and armour polished, the humans set out for war against Ugraum Grableg and his terrifying army of orcs. The ancient plains of Eolia will play host to a conflict of epic proportions. As the clouds darken and mist falls heavily around, noble Derrick Pfiel and his army prepare for combat.   Where does your loyalty lie? 

As Derrick Pfiel, captain of the human army, you must choose the noblest fighters and tactically position your units. Peasants and knights make up the offensive – those on horseback are impetuous, prone to charging without order but powerful attackers nonetheless. Spearman and archers must navigate the marshes on the peripheries of the plains whilst swordsmen make up the best part of the defence.

  Or play as Ugraum Grableg and his unruly mob. Although inexperienced in professional combat, they make vicious and deadly warriors on the battlefield, driven by a brutal and skilled leader. Orc Stabbers make up the main attack force along with Orcish and Mighty Riders. Grableg’s enslaved Goblins are placed in attack and defence but also reinforce the main archery unit that must master the difficult terrain. 

The wait is over A deathly silence falls on both armies as they face their enemies. Suddenly, a shrill cry echoes from the orc ranks before savage hordes of goblins rush towards the barricade of human forces. 

It has begun. Fantasy Wars is a turn based battle strategy game for PC from Ascaron Entertainment. Take on campaigns or missions as either the humans or orcs, later unlocking the elf army. Complete set tasks to win your mission, defeating the opposing enemy. The faster you complete missions, the higher your score.  www.fantasywars-thegame.com 

Fast facts:

Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / Nobilis

Web: www.Ascaron.com

Developer: Ino’Co / 1C

Release date: February 2008

PEGI: 12+Format: PC Genre: Turn based Strategy 

Saga, a new Massively-Multiplayer Online Real-Time Strategy (MMORTS) game from Silverlode Interactive announces December 11th for its final Beta phase.

Orem, UT – December 3, 2007 – Silverlode Interactive today locked in December 11th as the start of their final Beta. Players who joined in the Phase 1 Beta test will be the first to gain entry; others will be admitted on a first-come first-served basis. In addition, Silverlode Interactive is working with game and hobby shops across the U.S. and game review websites worldwide to distribute Beta keys good for priority entry into Beta.

Saga Beta 2 will release many anxiously awaited features over the course of the phase.

Here’s a few: The initial screens and user interface have been improved and completely rebuilt in an easy and intuitive format. A brand new storyline-based quest system has been added that includes epic boss battles for multiplayer strategy. The chat system has been renovated to enhance trading and guild communication. A tournament system will be introduced later in Beta 2 that allows players to win products as well as increase their ranking. In addition, Saga received a major graphics overhaul making the visuals spectacular.

Silverlode Interactive is distributing preferred Beta keys to local gaming stores across America. Store proprietors may contact the Silverlode Interactive PR department (szatuchny@playsaga.com) to request a Beta display.

Players are currently invited to sign up at www.playsaga.com/signup_beta.php. Visit the Saga main page www.playsaga.com and the Saga forums for updates and latest reviews as well as a video of Saga game-play footage coming later this week.

Paris, France – December 4, 2007 - Kynogon announces today Kynapse support for WiiTM. Game developers for Wii can now access all Kynapse functionalities and tools to empower their Non Player Characters with advanced behaviors.

Pierre Pontevia, Kynogon CEO, comments: “Wii is a remarkable success and we are proud to offer Kynapse to Wii game developers. The unique capabilities of Wii allow developers to produce creative forms of gameplay that require innovative AI. Kynapse has been selected by a very significant number of industry leaders for the development of AAA titles. With Kynapse, we feel Wii developers have another critical tool in their hands that helps them unleash the real magic of the Wii system.”

Kynapse offers a complete 3D pathfinding solution handling dynamic terrains and hierarchical computations. It also includes advanced spatial reasoning functionalities to dynamically identify 3D hiding positions, threatening zones, access ways, etc. On the tool side, Kynapse automates 3D pathfinding and perception data generation. Finally, Kynapse is highly optimised and can bring to life several thousands of Non Player Characters. Although only recently available, Kynapse for Wii is already being used by 2 game developers.

About Kynogon
Kynogon develops and markets Kynapse, a unique A.I. engine. Kynapse is used by the world’s leading game developers such as Electronic Arts, Activision, Bethesda Softworks, Lionhead Studios, Midway, Real Time Worlds, SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, Spark Unlimited, THQ and Turbine, for the development of their AAA titles. Available for the PlayStation®2, PLAYSTATION®3, PSP™, Xbox™, Xbox360™, Nintendo GameCube™, WiiTM and the PC, Kynapse has been used in the development of more than 60 of some of the best known game titles including Crackdown, Alone in the Dark 5, Fable 2, Sacred 2 and The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™. Kynapse has also been selected by industry leaders such as EADS and British Aerospace Systems as their preferred AI solution. For more information please visit www.kynogon.com.

Exclusive Competition, Saturday and Sunday, December 15-16, to Celebrate Windows Version of Blockbuster Xbox 360^TM Title which Has Sold Over 4 Million Copies to Date

Cash Prizes for the Best Gamers, PLUS Special Giveaways

WHAT:

Leading game center organization iGames to host a special online tournament to celebrate the release of “Gears of War” for Windows, featuring five new campaigns, new multiplayer modes and full Games for Windows – LIVE support for online multiplayer gameplay sessions.

WHEN & WHERE:

December 15-16 online and at 16 select iGames centers

PRIZES + FREE STUFF:

The tournament is a 2-v-2 competition offering $3,000 in CASH prizes as well as giveaways for all Game Center participants. CEVO is providing additional promotional support.

Competitors will be able to compete from any of the Official 16 Game Centers, or from anywhere else over the Internet. Only players competing from Official Game Centers will receive the participation giveaways.

Free Stuff:

Up to 10 players (5 teams) per Game Center will each receive, simply for participating:

1 x Games for Windows T-Shirt (L or XL)
1 x Gears of War Custom Limited-Edition T-Shirt (L or XL)
1 x Three Month LIVE Gold Kit with Headset

Prize Distribution:

1st: $750 (Team Total)
2nd: $500
3rd: $350
4th: $250
5th-6th: $150
7th-8th: $125
9th-16th: $75

ABOUT THE GAME:

Gears of War, a Games for Windows title, features the amazing tactical action and multiplayer excitement found in the critically acclaimed Gears of War for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system that sold more than 4 million units, and a variety of all-new content, including three new multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer game type, Game Editor, five new campaign chapters and DirectX® 10 support.

Gears of War thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

With Gears of War, Epic Games returns gamers to the massively scoped worlds, memorable characters, cooperative gameplay and hyper-realistic combat that gamers have come to expect from the franchise, plus a few new surprises.

Features:
• Frag-filled new content. Gears of War will feature locations that are unique to the franchise and the genre. Players will encounter all their favorite foes from the Xbox 360 version; however, these intense encounters will take place in some new environments and allow players to manipulate the new game modes and technology found only in the Games for Windows title. Boasting three new multiplayer maps, a new multiplayer game type, Game Editor, five new campaign chapters and DirectX 10 support, Gears of War, will challenge and push the limits of the PC gaming experience and provide an unparalleled visual presentation.
• Engaging and disturbing cinematic story. Movie-like cut scenes, cinematic camera moves and in-game storytelling bring the brutal, emotionally charged narrative to life. Gamers control Marcus Fenix and his fire team as they pit advanced technology against the overwhelming and horrific Locust Horde.
• Unmatched online gaming. Gears of War will tap into the power of Games for Windows — LIVE to deliver online matchmaking for its Gold account members. The service will enable gamers around the world to connect via their PCs, allowing players to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player Achievements, customize games and create personalized profiles.
• New Game Editor. The game will also feature the all-new Game Editor, guaranteeing new user-generated content in the future. The Gears of War community will be able to tap its endless creative potential to develop an unlimited number of user-created levels through complete access to the Unreal Editor. Using the new engine, players can now import custom artwork into the engine, create particle systems, scripted encounters, cinematics and more.
• Astounding visuals in next-generation gaming. Gears of War ushers in the next generation with incredible visuals, pushing DirectX 10 visual designs and bringing out the smallest details in the largest battle. Gamers experience a rich, dynamic world with a supreme level of detail. Characters come to life with unbelievable model quality and a physics-integrated animation system that has them truly reacting intelligently to events unfolding around them.
• Hyper-realistic and intense combat. In Gears of War the battlefield is a lethal place — to foolishly stand out in the open is to invite an untimely demise. To survive, gamers must employ strategy, take cover using the interactive and dynamic environments, and suppress the enemy with blind fire, using their weapons and teammates to outwit and outfight their terrifying enemies.

Gears of War for Windows is rated “M” for “Mature” with descriptors Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Violence, by the ESRB and comes with a MSRP of $49.99. For more information about the title, visit: http://www.gearsofwar.com.

For more information and a complete list of iGames game centers hosting this event, including signup information, visit http://www.igames.org/gow or contact the iGames events team at events@igames.org.