Mercenaries for Hire Invade Outspark’s Virtual Playground

SAN FRANCISCO - July 24, 2008 Outspark today announced the newest addition to its virtual playground: Blackshot. A militaristic first-person shooter loaded with powerful weapons, lifelike characters and gritty environments, Blackshot’s intense multiplayer action will appeal to gamers of all skill levels. Outspark continues to aggressively build out its rich portfolio of free-to-play games, and is bringing its community of nearly three million gamers yet another exciting and immersive title with Blackshot.

Gamers can view the game trailer now and register for the upcoming closed beta at www.playblackshot.com.

With the world in a state of chaos and powerful nations competing for money and resources, Blackshot players must take on the role of a mercenary and make a name for themselves in the game’s dangerous environments. Aspiring soldiers of fortune can enter the Blackshot war zone later this summer, when the game makes its worldwide debut.
“We’re thrilled to add an innovative, free-to-play FPS game to our lineup,” said Susan Choe, founder and CEO of Outspark. “Blackshot offers fast-paced action for casual gamers interested in a quick shootout, while hardcore players will love innovative features like the game’s player-versus-environment mode.”

Outspark will release additional details about Blackshot in the coming weeks.

BLAST ENTERTAINMENT RELEASE MR. BEAN ON NINTENDO DS

Blast entertainment, part of the Mastertronic Group have today announced the release of Mr. Bean on Nintendo DS.

The DS version follows the release of Blast Entertainment’s Mr Bean Sony PS2 game that hit retail in November last year, which still sells consistently well and continues to earn a place in the Chart track top 40 PS2 budget chart each week.

Mr.Bean , who burst onto our television screens in 1990 has established himself as one of the world’s most popular character brands. The live action and animated Mr. Bean TV series have been in distribution around the world for 17 years and are currently broadcast in more than 60 territories. Mr. Bean’s Holiday was released in more than 66 countries around the world in March 2007, grossing more than US$230 million at the Box Office and reaching no.1 in 28 countries around the world.

The game includes 12 fun-packed levels full of cunning puzzles to encounter and crazy traps to avoid. Dress up as a pirate on your mission to save teddy and battle baddies with fyring pans while negotiating your way through exciting 3D locations. The Nintendo touch screen techonolgy is utilised in the exclusive Whack a mole event! 92% of children under 11 are great Mr.Bean fans and 67% of children under 11 watch the TV series regularly, according to Film Audience Research and so the game has been developed to specifically target this younger audience.

Blast’s Head of Marketing, Kirsty Payne commented: “We are delighted to be bringing Mr. Bean to Nintendo DS. Both brands are currently enjoying huge sales at retail and combining them is great news for consumers. Such is the popularity of this title, that we are planning to release a Wii version later this year”

IN NEW PC DEMO

Pro Cycling Manager – Tour De France 2008 is the latest version of the popular racing management game for PC and PSP. For cycling fans currently following the Tour de France, the race doesn’t have to end this weekend as the free demo is now available to download.

The demo will allow players to manage the Spanish Euskaltel team as they race through the Alps in the important Cuneo to Jausiers 16th stage of the Tour de France 2008. The team is preparing for the last week of the race before the grand final at the Champs-Élysées. However, no stages have been won yet and sponsors are beginning to pile on the pressure to see their colours on the podium. This 157.4 km testing route requires a talented Director of Sports to lead the team to victory.

Surrounded by the highest paved roads in Europe, the 16th stage takes place in mountainous terrain with breath-taking downhill sections to ensure a spectacular end to the race. Implement the best strategy to make the most of the mountain racer’s skills, preventing breakaway riders that could ruin your chances of victory.

The Pro Cycling Manager – Tour de France 2008 demo also offers players the opportunity to participate in track cycling events such as Keirin style racing. Compete against six skilled riders racing at 50 kph for three laps of intense competition. A tutorial mode will also help you get the best out of your team during a race.

Download the playable demo (760 MB):
http://www.focus-files.com/demos/pcm2008/pcm08demo_int2.exe

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

Sales Information for Pro Cycling Manager – Tour De France 2008
Available from: www.Amazon.co.uk ,GAME and all good retailers
Distributed by: Ascaron Entertainment

Puzzle game released on PC and Nintendo DS

‘The Humans’ is back! The legendary puzzle game loved by millions of players all over the world is returning in a brand-new version for PC and Nintendo DS™! Deep Silver, the games label of Koch Media, a leading producer and distributor of digital entertainment products, and the developer Blue Monkey Software Inc. today announce the release of this title. Koch Media owns the worldwide publishing rights.

Once upon a prehistoric time: the player’s mission is to guide The Humans to help them solve the quests that they are set at the beginning of each of the puzzle festooned levels. To do this, the people must all pull together; the player must plan ahead carefully. Assign tasks to The Humans in your tribe. Guide The Humans using strategy and guile in order to avoid the deadly hazards and co-inhabitants of The Humans world. Add to the perils a race against the clock and this imaginative puzzle game will entertain and bemuse the strategist in the player.

The game environments are charged with atmosphere and populated with more than 14 different characters, from hostile tribal brothers to sabre-toothed tigers, from mammoths to the dreaded T-Rex. Our human ancestors must prevail in eight worlds with a total of 80 levels, while following the course of evolution! As the game progresses, they will discover the most significant inventions in the history of mankind: fire, the wheel, and even weapons. And one thing is certain: there will be no lack of humor in The Humans!

The Humans will be released for Nintendo DS and PC in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Like a torture instrument, the Twisted Iron’s elaboration can be compared to the most extreme roller coasters: danger is around every corner, the slightest swerving can be fatal.

With such a vertiginous layout, this track doesn’t leave anything to chance. Its fastness requires a total control of the vehicle to avoid collision. But unlike its predecessors, where racing lane optimization and aerial control were a must, Twisted Iron challenges the tenacity and dexterity of the players. To face these mind blowing tubes, the self-control is the only way to the finish line.

Twisted Iron is proposed for free to the NSR Stage 1 license owners through the update 0.2.3.8 which also includes bug fixes, list of which can be found on the game forum.

About Nitro Stunt Racing

Nitro Stunt Racing (NSR) is an arcade racing game introducing a new motor competition discipline: the Formula Jet (F-Jet).

Focused on driving skills, equipped with nitro jet engines and moving ailerons F-Jet are developed with only one car model physics derived in 4 models bringing an exceptional handling on the road as well as in the air.

Easy to handle, hard to master, NSR delivers instant fun and fierce competition in many stunning categories like AEROBATICS, JUMP, SUPER CROSS…

Some game modes like CHAMPIONSHIP will oblige the players to race with an advanced damage modeling system. Pilots will have to avoid destroying their F-Jet and their engine in order to finish the races then appear on the online championship ranking.

For further information: http://www.nitrostuntracing.com

Friday 25th July/… Eidos Interactive, creator of some of the world’s leading videogame properties, today announces that Summer Athletics, an all-new sports title featuring over 25 of the most popular summer sport disciplines, launches in the UK on 15th August on Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 2 and PC, as well as being the first realistic summer athletic sports simulation for the Nintendo Wii™.

Offering an abundance of sun-drenched athletic antics, armchair contenders can prove their skills in over 25 summer sporting disciplines including sprinting, hurdles, cycling, archery, javelin, hammer throwing, swimming and diving. To celebrate the forthcoming release of Summer Athletics, Eidos is excited to showcase the first trailer video.

Summer Athletics is an action-packed multi-player sporting adventure for the whole family, featuring a character editor, lifelike 3D graphics, realistic athlete animations and an impressive ‘life-like’ stadium atmosphere.

Providing a variety of difficulty levels across two gaming modes, arcade and career, Summer Athletics will prove to be addictive fun for both experienced and casual gamers alike.

“We’re really excited about the release of Summer Athletics, especially as it is the first realistic summer sports simulation for the Nintendo Wii and will tie in with the major sporting events occurring this summer.” Jon Brooke, Head of UK Marketing for Eidos. “It will provide hours of fun gaming for a wide audience and should really capture the mood of the summer.”

Bring the sporting action to your home this summer, with Summer Athletics available on Nintendo Wii™, Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 2 and PC - on sale from 15th August 2008.