Guildford, UK — May 29, 2008 — The Sims™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) Label, today announced the first details for SimCityTM Creator, exclusively for the WiiTM and Nintendo DSTM. SimCity Creator is an open-ended, highly creative game with a sense of humor that allows players to utilize the distinctive gameplay aspects of the Wii and Nintendo DS to create, enjoy and destroy epic cities. The most accessible and light-hearted game from the SimCity franchise, SimCity Creator will ship on September 22, 2008 in North America and on September 19, 2008 in Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. SimCity Creator is designed to be a city-game experience for families and players of all ages!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

OUT OF THIS WORLD SIMULATION GAME DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH NASA

Space Station Sim, a new simulation game for PC, has been announced by Avanquest Software. The game provides an out of this world experience as players manage the creation of an international space station in true 3D construction. Space Station Sim is the first space station game to be developed in conjunction with NASA and the Japanese Space Administration, enhancing its realism and authenticity.

The player takes on the role of the Chief Administrator of NASA, using real NASA modules, such as the Zvezda or the JAXA Japanese Experiment module, to create their own space ship. The interior can be customised through a variety of components for life support, communications and the crew area.

To operate the space ship, a crew must be created with careful consideration given to their training needs, based on abilities and personalities. The crew’s activities and personal relationships must be managed through the regulation of food, sleep, exercise and entertainment – all in zero gravity traveling at 17,500 miles per hour.

Players will explore life in space and win the cooperation of the international space community as they create an international space station. Thousands of different construction configurations can be built using real international space station modules, all in stunning 3D graphics.

However, even with a superior space ship and crew, critical situations, such as micro meteor strikes, unexpected decompression and problematic tourists smuggled onboard by the Russians, can result in catastrophic failure. In moments, a developing space station could be reduced to a burning inferno, resembling a shooting star as it cascades toward Earth…

Fast facts:

Publisher: Avanquest Software / GSP

Developer: Vision VideoGames / NASA / Japanese Space Administration

Distributor: Interactive Ideas / Gem / Ingram

Release date: June 2008

PEGI: +3

Format: PC

Genre: Simulation

SRP: £19.99

PRO CYCLING MANAGER – TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: New TRAILER AND SCREENSHOTS RELEASED

GET FIRST GLIMPSE OF EXCITING IN-GAME FOOTAGE

Pro Cycling Manager – Tour De France 2008 is the latest version of the popular racing management game for PC and PSP. To demonstrate the games outstanding graphics engine, Ascaron and 93 Games have released the official trailer and 9 new PC screenshots.

Watch the trailer here

http://www.cycling-manager.com/pcm2008/trailer_int/

Download the official trailer in SD (50 MB)

http://www.focus-files.com/trailers/pcm2008/Trailer_PCM2008_INT_DivxSD.rar

Download the official trailer in HD (131 MB)

http://www.focus-files.com/trailers/pcm2008/Trailer_PCM2008_INT_DivxHD.rar

Pro Cycling Manager – Tour de France 2008 features 180 real-time 3D playable races, including the famous Tour de France 2008. The new trailer displays the improved racing graphics, new lighting system, highly detailed environments and incredibly realistic rider models and animations. The trailer also includes footage of professional track cycling, a new type of racing to challenge fans of the series.

Chase the yellow jersey

Become the manager of one of 65 official cycling teams, handling all aspects of a professional season; choosing the team, finding new talent, taking charge of races, organising contracts, scheduling training and looking after finances. A variety of race commands and actions let you take control of your team, implementing winning tactics as you race to victory.

New features, combined with Pro Cycling Manager’s engaging gameplay ensure that Pro Cycling Manager – Tour de France 2008 is a highly realistic and enjoyable professional cycling experience.

Visit http://www.cycling-manager.com for more information.

FIRST STREET FIGHTER IV COMMERCIAL TO AIR DURING CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA) EVENT

New Trailer, Preorder Campaign Kickoff On StreetFighter.com Immediately Following

When: Saturday, May 31st, 2008 at 10 PM
Where: CBS (check local listings)
URL: http://www.streetfighter.com, http://fight.proelite.com/elitexc-primetime.html

SAN MATEO, CA – May 28, 2008 – Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced that the first television commercial for Street Fighter® IV will debut during the CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights mixed martial arts (MMA) event. The EliteXC bout takes place on CBS on Saturday, May 31 at 9 PM EST. Immediately following the bout, the Street Fighter IV trailer will debut on the newly redesigned StreetFighter.com, along with the first chance for gamers to preorder Street Fighter IV for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system exclusively through GamesStop.

Viewers tuning in to catch the first MMA fight to ever air on US broadcast television featuring internet phenomenon Kimbo Slice battling British fighter James “The Colossus” Thompson, will be treated to the network premiere of a 60 second Street Fighter IV trailer and 30 second Street Fighter IV television spots, which feature a combination of stylized CG animation and game play, ending with a call to action that will drive viewers to the newly designed StreetFighter.com website.

On the website, players will be able to watch the new “artistic” trailer, featuring a stylized brawl between Street Fighter favorite Guile and new character Abel along with several other Street Fighter IV trailers and then immediately pre-order the Xbox 360 or PS3 version of the game from GameStop. Fans who pre-order Street Fighter IV will receive a limited edition collectable Street Fighter Tribute artbook, illustrated by top artists from the comic book and video game industries. A countdown currently running on the website tracks the time remaining until the new trailer unlocks.

Saitek have recently released the amazing Cyborg collection of PC hardware, which is said to be the best gaming man / machine interface range, with the most feature packed fastest reacting equipment you can hope to get your hands on in this price range.

Whether your into FPS like Call of Duty or MMO’s you wont be sorry buying this kit, it seems to tailor for all games with instant switchable modes to give you the edge when in the heat of battle.

I thought I would give you a heads up on this hardware range….

Cyborg: Games controllers designed so perfectly you won’t know where you end and the hardware takes over. Controllers with reflexes as fast as your own. Controllers that fit you better than a glove. And which look so good that you’ll want to show them off.
The Saitek Cyborg range takes gaming performance to new levels, improving control, heightening the senses and helping you realise their true potential.

Cyborg Keyboard

High-end, adjustable, gaming keyboard with customisable backlighting,
programmable functions and media keys.

Multi-colour backlighting with Tru Vu illumination through keys (mix shades from Red through Amber to Green) and adjustable brightness
Touch-sensitive, backlit dashboard control panel
WASD, cursor, ‘Cyborg’ and NumPad keys can be lit independently from the rest of keyboard to highlight commonly used gaming keys

Cyborg Mode – instantly disable the Windows keys and configure the colour and brightness of your gaming keys at the touch of a button
Set and forget – persistent key illumination settings ensure colours remain even after a system reboot
12 programmable ‘Cyborg’ keys
Hard wearing, metal-plated key caps in key gaming areas
Pass-through USB, audio and microphone sockets
Enhanced multiple key presses in gaming areas for complex in-game commands
Adjustable wrist rest and keyboard rake angle (front and back)
Gold-plated connectors for USB and Audio

System Requirement:
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

We will try and get a review done for you for this item as soon as possible, but first thoughts are very good.

Cyborg Mouse

Fully-featured, adjustable, laser gaming mouse with 3200dpi for ultra high speed
and accuracy.

Adjustable mouse size extends or contracts to suit any size of hand or grip
Adjustable Scroll Wheel – changes click strength of scroll wheel
Programmable, 4-way, low profile hat switch
2 additional programmable buttons
3200dpi for increased precision

System Requirement:
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Cyborg Rumble Pad

The PC gamepad has evolved – take your gaming to new heights with the most
adjustable gamepad in the world!
For a long time, there has been a discussion amongst gamers about which position
is best for the left analogue stick on a gamepad. Some prefer the left stick to be level
with the right stick, whereas others prefer it offset to the top left corner of the pad.

With the Cyborg Rumble Pad, you now have the choice of either position with the revolutionary Cyborg module (Pat. Pending). At the press of a button, you can remove the Cyborg module from the pad and turn it through 180º, instantly changing the configuration of the left stick and d-pad.

The features don’t stop there though; you can also program any button on the pad to become a Precision button. Once programmed, pressing this button can affect the sensitivity of either of the analogue sticks. Having trouble hitting targets through your sniper rifle when using the analogue stick to aim? Hold the Precision button down and the response speed of the stick is reduced, making it much easier to
draw a bead on your target.

The Cyborg Rumble Pad also features Saitek’s unique FPS button. We realise that many gamers (especially those used to playing on consoles) like to use their gamepads to control first person shooter games, but the majority of these games on PC do not support gamepads. To make the gamepad work in the game you need to program it using the supplied programming software. Whilst this option is still available to you, you can take all the effort out of this by pressing the FPS button on the pad. This instantly programs the pad with the keyboard and mouse commands typically used in these games, meaning you can start playing your games
even quicker.

This isn’t limited just to FPS games. Instead of being forced to use your keyboard and mouse for certain games, you can use the Saitek Smart Technology software to program any part of the pad with any keyboard or mouse command. This allows you to use the pad in any game, even those that don’t support game controllers!

Finally, the Cyborg Rumble Pad also features a driver option called X-Mode.
Increasingly, PC games are shipping with support for Microsoft’s Xbox 360
gamepad and switching the Cyborg Rumble Pad into X-Mode configures it to
work in the same way, meaning that you should have no problems with

Reversible d-pad and left analogue stick
FPS button
Precision mode function
2 quick-fire shoulder buttons
2 analogue triggers
8-way d-pad
6 responsive buttons
2 analog joysticks
Fully programmable

High quality, varied rumble forces so the gamer feels closer to the action - Using Immersion© patented rumble technology for maximum compatibility with
supported games.
Patent Pending -UK Patent Application Number 0711355.8’
System Requirement:
Connectivity: USB 2.0
Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

This bit of kit has scored 90% by the big hitters….

read the reviews here

Cyborg 5.1 Headset

True 5.1 Surround sound using integrated USB sound card with in-line volume/mute controls Low profile, rotating cans and adjustable headband for total comfort and portability Detachable noise-cancelling boom microphone  6 sonic drivers deliver precise directional audio
Unique styling - ‘Cyborg’ logo illuminates when 5.1 sound is selected
3.5mm jack included for use with MP3/CD/Handheld devices (in stereo)
VoIP ready
System Requirement:
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Click here for reviews

Cyborg Command Unit

Cyborg Command Unit combines the controls essential to First Person Shooter and Strategy games in one unit making them fast and easy to reach in the heat of battle.

Instantly switch between 3 modes for First Person Shooter, Strategy and Role-Playing games Backlit ergonomic keypad with laser-etched keys for total visibility in any lighting environment 4-way analog hat switch 21 buttons including space, shift function and 3 mode states for up to 144 programmable commands
Adjustable thumb control area with 2 way tilt mechanism, slides forwards and backwards

System Requirement:
Connectivity: USB 2.0 Windows XP, XP64 and Windows Vista (all versions)

Today leading Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and accomplished developer Kerberos Productions released a new demo in honour of the recent launch of their critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition. This demo was taken from the gold master code, which is the very latest version of the game, and represents the Sword of the Stars universe as it is now.

Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition began hitting store shelves across the UK earlier this month. It brings the entire Sword of the Stars universe together by including the official add-on Born of Blood and further upgrades. The Collector’s Edition is also packed with exclusive bonus material and a 150+ page Sword of the Stars paperback novel entitled, The Deacon’s Tale, penned by renowned science fiction author Arinn Dembo.

Chris Stewart, Producer at Kerberos Productions said, “This new demo covers gameplay leading up to the Cruiser/Fusion era and is based on version 1.5.2 – the most awesomest version – of the game! We also created a comprehensive tutorial video pack to help ease new players into the Sword of the Stars universe. With multiplayer action for up to three players and two wicked maps, new players will get a taste of what Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition has to offer. Our goal is to leave players drooling for more!”

Demo Features:

• Created from the gold master version of Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition, version 1.5.2
• Play as Human, Liir or Tarkas races
• Two maps (2D and 3D sphere)
• Limited to 150 turns
• Features just a few of the fun and devastating weapons in the full version of the game
• Single player and multiplayer campaigns (against other 1.5.2 demo players) Leads up to the Cruiser/Fusion era
• Tutorial video pack can be downloaded separately and installed into this new demo

Sword of the Stars: Collector’s Edition Includes:

• The popular base game Sword of the Stars*
• The highly acclaimed add-on Born of Blood*
• The first ever Sword of the Stars paperback novel, The Deacon’s Tale written by renowned science fiction author Arinn Dembo (150+ pages)
• A Bonus CD with stunning concept art, video interviews, trailers, music tracks, and extensive backgrounds on each of the five races

Updated to version 1.5.2 featuring standalone server capabilities and the ability to create custom maps.

To download the version 1.5.2 demo and the tutorial video pack, visit: www.lighthouse-interactive.com

For more information about Sword of the Stars, please visit: www.swordofthestars.com or www.lighthouse-interactive.com

About Arinn Dembo and the Novel The Deacon’s Tale

Arinn Dembo is an award-winning author of fantasy, science fiction and horror. Her long career in the computer gaming industry has included the critically acclaimed background fiction and manuals for multiple titles, including: Homeworld and Homeworld: Cataclysm, Ground Control, and Arcanum. Her latest and greatest work to date is the Sword of the Stars universe, widely acknowledged to be one of the finest and most dynamic backdrops ever created for a 4X game. The Deacon’s Tale will be the first of many novels set in the Sword of the Stars universe and features the emergence of the race associated with the Sword of the Stars expansion, Born of Blood.

The Deacon’s Tale is the story of Cai Rui – Task Force Commander of the infamous “Red Section” of the SolForce Intelligence Corps and a loyal Archdeacon of the Roman Catholic Church. Charged to investigate a brutal massacre of Catholic converts on a distant alien world, Cai Rui finds himself on the trail of a killer who can threaten not only his life, but his very soul. As a brutal new race emerges from the shadows, one man will be tested to the extremes of courage and faith by an enemy who dares to call himself “The Deacon.”