SCI-FI-LONDON is delighted to announce that MANGA, a world leading label and distributor of Animé and live action films has today signed to become an official partner for the first
SCI-FI-LONDON:OKTOBERFEST, a newly created event from the UK’s only dedicated science fiction and fantastic film festival (Friday 3^rd October 2008).

Manga will be showcasing several new titles as part of the festival line-up including:

Tokyo Zombie Over in a forgotten corner of a near-future Tokyo sits Black Fuji, a mountain of garbage and unwanted junk, from discarded appliances to the bodies of whining mothers-in-laws… Something dark is happening up on Black Fuji, though – a combination of toxic waste and the souls of rejected household objects is resurrecting the corpses that litter the mountain, and infusing them with an insatiable hunger for living human flesh! Meanwhile, at a fire-extinguisher factory at the foot of Black Fuji, a pair of employees are capitalising on their boss’ absence to practice their jujitsu. The older of the two none-to-bright buddies is convinced that he can make a true champion out of his younger pal. He’s also convinced that he’s dying, so passing along his wrestling wisdom must be done quickly. Indeed it must – pretty soon, the pair will have their hands full, fighting off the hordes of the living dead!

Strait Jacket - The year is 1899 and magic and science coexist on earth. However, the overuse of magic is strictly forbidden and those who break this rule risk turning into horrific monsters. Rayotte Steinberg, a lone wolf ‘tactical sorcerist’, fights against these monsters. He wears a strait jacket that allows him to use magic and stay human, for now…

If Rayotte casts too much magic, he will eventually become a monster. If he doesn’t, he will be killed…

Hellsing Ultimate – Vampires exist and for over a century a secret organisation known as Hellsing has been secretly protecting the British Empire from the undead “freaks”. When Sir Integra Hellsing succeeded as the head of the organisation, she also inherited the ultimate weapon against the undead enemies, the rogue vampire named Arucard. Armed with an enormous “anti-freak” gun and possessing mysterious and frightening powers, Arudard is forced to shoot Seras Victoria, a policewoman held hostage by an enemy vampire. “Do you want to live?” he asks Seras, whose very answer changes the course of her existence. Now reborn as Arucard’s servant, Seras is torn between her conflicting humanity and her vampire urges…

Dead Space Downfall - Dead Space is a feature length horror/sci-fi animated movie based on the hugely anticipated Electronic Arts video game. When a deep space mining operation discovers a mysterious alien Marker, some believe they have finally found evidence of our creators. However, the removal of the Marker instead unleashes a horrific alien species, which had been entombed within a remote planet, and a desperate fight for survival ensues. The story follows a select group of miners and crew members, as they confront a grotesque and lethal invasion unlike anything ever seen before. The Dead Space animated movie will serve as a prequel to the game, and take adult animated horror to a whole new level.

Louis Savy, Festival Director said

“We are delighted to again be working with Manga – they have long been a supporter of the festival and we are glad to have them work closely with us on this special event.  They are the leading distributor of the kind of Animé and Japanese live-action that our audience love!”

Jerome Mazandarani Marketing & Acquisitions Manager, Manga Entertainment said.

“SCI-FI-LONDON is a natural place for us to showcase our premium content and we enjoy working with them.  Obviously, Manga is very excited to be releasing DEAD SPACE: DOWNFALL, the first co-production between our sister company, Anchor Bay Entertainment, Film Roman and EA. We strongly believe that Dead Space the game is going to offer gamers a truly unique and terrifying take on the survival horror genre. There is so much depth and mystery in the story that the animated film will become a truly memorable companion piece and help to enrich the whole experience for fans.”

About the festival

Now preparing for its 8^th year, SCI-FI-LONDON screens world and UK film premieres, documentaries and a selection of classic science fiction titles.  The OKTOBERFEST has been created due the demands of our audience –once a year was not enough!

SCI-FI-LONDON also has a strong international shorts programme and is screens a short film ahead of every feature screening. It also runs a film school and filmmaking competition to encourage more science fiction film to be made in the UK.

NCsoft® Europe, the world’s leading publisher and developer of online computer games, today announced major changes in its massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, Lineage® II. In a ‘free to subscriber’ update from The Chaotic Throne® series called Gracia™ – Part 1, players will find advancing in the game to be dramatically faster. This, plus a host of other changes to enhance the player experience, makes this update much more accessible to newer players than before.

The increase in leveling speed is due in part to a new Vitality system, which rewards the player with an experience bonus for time either spent away from the game or in safe zones. New characters will start out with maximum Vitality, so they can begin improving their character’s advancement within minutes. An increase in rewards for accomplishing quests, battling boss creatures, as well as greater accessibility of items also enable players to increase their character’s level more quickly.

“Gracia represents a huge change to Lineage II,” said Tim Tan, NCsoft’s North American producer. “The increase in leveling speed allows players to create new characters and advance nearly twice as fast as before. This will allow players to experience the meat of Lineage II quickly, giving them the ability to visit new and exciting areas and cool high-level content much quicker than before. While this game is still a hardcore game, these changes with Gracia – Part 1 make the game much more accessible to new players. I hope gamers will take another look at what Lineage II has to offer.”

Continuing the storyline and changes brought with the earlier expansions, this first of three updates involving the land of Gracia, introduces a new terror with the strange dream-like inter-dimensional world of Kamaloka. Adventurers of varying levels can easily travel to Kamaloka and face a series of incredibly potent creatures that are tailored to the experience of the players.

The expansion also offers a selection of new and improved skills, many new items, and improvements to the Cruma Tower, as well as other hunting zones.

Lineage II is known as the gaming market’s premier player-versus-player (PvP) online role-playing game, with a customer reach of more than 19 million players worldwide.

The Lineage II:The Chaotic Throne – Gracia retail box is scheduled for release from 19th September 2008. The game is rated 12+ by PEGI http://www.pegionline.eu .

We are delighted to announce the first SCI-FI-LONDON: OKTOBERFEST, a special one-day event on Friday 3^rd October at the Apollo West End. The Oktoberfest will feature several UK premieres and three different all-night programmes to include our notorious ANIMÉ ALLNIGHTER and a nod to things a little more gory with a night of new ZOMBIE films.

Louis Savy, Festival Director said:
”I am really excited about this event. Visitors to our annual festival kept telling us a year was too long to wait and why don’t we put something on mid-year. Well, we listened and created this special event”

The Oktoberfest line-up is still being decided but we have confirmation of the UK premiere of DEAD SPACE: DOWNFALL, the feature length animated prequel to the Electronic Arts forthcoming game title DEAD SPACE. The event also features a stunning CGI family film TERRA and a ZOMBIE ALL-NIGHTER (details below).

The full line-up will be announced shortly and tickets will be on sale September 1^st 2008 from the Apollo box office (020 7451 9944)

NOTE TO EDITORS: SCI-FI-LONDON is now in its 8^th year is UK’s only dedicated Sci-Fi and Fantasy film festival, it screens world and UK film premieres, documentaries and a selection of classic SF titles. SCI-FI-LONDON also has a strong international shorts programme and screens a short film with every feature screening. It also holds a film school and filmmaking competitions to encourage more science fiction films to be made in the UK  -  www.sci-fi-london.com

Taking wireless gaming to new heights, SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel from Ascaron is set to deliver a true notebook gaming experience.

In the development of the notebook gaming technology in SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel, the focus has been on 3 main areas, namely core processes, graphic optimization and notebook-specific features.

SACRED 2, the much anticipated Action RPG, will bring Ad-Hoc gaming to the masses with Wi-Fi functionality and in-game displays. Ad-hoc is the term used for game modes offering players a very comfortable and simple way to play multiplayer games “on the fly”. Players with WLAN access will be able to quickly and easily create and join SACRED 2 wireless networks with other gamers in the vicinity.

With its strong focus on notebook compatibility and features, and particular attention to mobile and onboard graphics solutions, SACRED 2 brings quality gaming entertainment to the wider notebook market. Targeting the mobile games market, from the high end 512MB graphics setup to entry level 128MB onboard chipsets, SACRED 2 will set a new trend in this often overlooked sector of gaming.

All notebook functions are actively supported by the Intel Centrino Processor Technology.

In a statement on the progress of SACRED 2 – Fallen Angel for notebooks, Heiko tom Felde, Managing Director of Ascaron Entertainment GmbH, said, “Sales of mobile PCs have continued to grow, creating an expanding notebook userbase of hardcore gamers, casual gamers and general computer users. This means the PC platform has effectively become a multi-format market in itself. The feedback from focus groups has been excellent, and working closely with Intel we are in the enviable position of having a beautiful, exciting game that is accessible to everyone in terms of gameplay style, computer hardware and static or mobile location.”

Published by CDV (US) and Deep Silver (Europe) for Microsoft Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION®3 and PC, the highly anticipated AAA title will hit shelves from October 2008.

Marking the return of the bad ass game brand that champions a despotic tyrant and sets loose the most vicious, yet lovably insane critters in gaming, Codemasters® today announced that the Overlord and the Minions will headline a series of three new Overlord™ titles for multiple platforms in 2009.

Overlord™II is the sequel to the original twisted fantasy action adventure and is now in development at Triumph Studios for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and Games For Windows®. True to form, the Overlord and the Minion horde have their sights set on supremacy and 2009 will also see the series debuting on new formats. Exclusive extensions include the action title Overlord™Dark Legend for Wii™, featuring minion control through Wii Remote movement, and Overlord™Minions, a dedicated puzzle action title, for Nintendo DS™.

“As a million-plus seller Overlord is now a significant brand in the ever-growing Codemasters portfolio,” says Barry Jafrato, Senior Vice President of Brand, Codemasters. “With specific titles published across major formats and download content available, Overlord has established a huge cult following and won widespread critical acclaim. We’re delighted to have the despot back for this three-game, five-format product line. With Triumph’s hugely impressive vision for Overlord II and bespoke titles for Wii and Nintendo DS, Overlord is set to dominate in 2009.”

“Epic battles, all new Minion play mechanics, a stunningly detailed new visuals and a fresh theme – Overlord II’s really packing a punch,” says Lennart Sas, director and Overlord lead at Triumph Studios. “We’re really excited about shifting the world to a new era where a Roman-inspired Empire rises as the arch-enemy of the Overlord, which leads to an epic clash between the regimented forces of a sprawling state and the faster, harder, more manic minion horde. It’s also great to see the series reaching new formats. The creativity being packed into the design for Overlord Dark Legend on Wii and Overlord Minions on Nintendo DS make great use of the platforms’ unique features and are perfect extensions to the Overlord series.”

OVERLORD™II
• PLAYSTATION®3 system, Xbox 360, Games For Windows.

Overlord™II is the sequel to the hit warped fantasy action adventure that had players being delightfully despotic. In Overlord II, a new Overlord and a more powerful army of Minions take on an entire empire in a truly epic adventure, inspired by the rise of the Roman Empire. As the Glorious Empire conquers kingdoms and destroys any sign of magic it finds, it’s time to go Minion Maximus and send in the horde.

The Minions return smarter, deadlier (and funnier) and are ready to fight in large scale battles that will see their wild pack mentality squaring up to the organised legions of the Glorious Empire. As ever, they’ll do anything and everything the Overlord commands of them, especially now that they can run ravage and wreck buildings and scenery. They’ve also learn to ride: In Overlord II Minions will be able to mount up and ride wolves and other magical creatures around the landscape and take them into battle, making our band of merry fighters faster and fiercer than ever before. Coming in 2009, Overlord II is now in development at Triumph Studios in Delft, the Netherlands, for the PLAYSTATION®3 system, Xbox 360 and Games For Windows.

OVERLORD™ DARK LEGEND.
• Wii™

Designed and developed exclusively for Wii, Overlord Dark Legend is a brand new action adventure steeped in fairy tale lore with sinister, satirical twists. Set in a time before the original game, players take the role of a new young Overlord. As he revels in command of the Minions, our trainee tyrant will be able to take his growing pains out on the local fairy tale inhabitants as he protects his castle and lands.

Connecting players to the game world in three dimensions, the use of the Wii Remote gives unprecedented control over the minions. For example, individual Minions can be plucked from the horde, held by the neck and then, by vigorously shaking the Wii Remote, throttled to imbue him with some Overlordly power and turn him into a manic minion missile. With a now-explosive body, the insane little critter can be guided into enemies with hilarious, if rather fatal, consequences.

Backed by a rich, tongue-in-cheek story from award-winning games author Rhianna Pratchett, the game features Overlord favourites including Halflings, trolls, elves, and dwarves and introduces wicked witches, gingerbread men and Lil’ Red Riding Hood, the seeming sweet girl with a very personal lupine secret. Coming in 2009, Overlord Dark Legend is now in development at Climax Studios, exclusively for Wii.

OVERLORD™MINIONS
• Nintendo DS™

Meet Giblet, Blaze, Stench, and Zap – an elite Minion crew who, assisted by minion master Gnarl, get star billing in Overlord Minions, an irresistible and accessible puzzle action game, designed exclusively for Nintendo DS. In Overlord Minions, the Overlord commands the Minion team remotely. The Nintendo DS stylus becomes an extension of his evil will and every precise Touch Screen command is the player-as-Overlord directing, commanding and combining minions in battle, pointing and sweeping them to attack enemies and solving puzzles to execute his dastardly plans.

Controlling the Special Farces team of four, players negotiate fiendish levels and take on a huge range of warped enemies to hunt down the Kindred, a cult dedicated to resurrecting the mighty Dragon Kin, a race of humanoid dragon hybrids, determined to replace the Overlord’s despotism with their own. Extending the Overlord series’ trademark humour, gameplay focuses on the mischievous physical comedy of the minion’s antics and is delivered in a stylised cartoon visual style. Scheduled for release in 2009, Overlord Minions is now in development at Climax Studios exclusively for Nintendo DS.

With a rousing cry of “Veni, Vidi, Vici per Minions”, prepare to face the Glorious Empire in Overlord II and the rather grim fairy tales of Overlord Dark Legend and Overlord Minions when the terrific tyrant returns in 2009.

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED, hugely entertaining ADVENTURE GAME ‘a vAMPYRE STORY’ SET FOR OCTOBER release

A Vampyre Story, the ‘captivating’ new adventure game for PC from Ascaron Entertainment and 93 Games will be released in October for a haunting Halloween. The game has been developed by Autumn Moon Entertainment, a company founded by ex-LucasArts employee Bill Tiller, who previously worked on adventure game classics The Curse of Monkey Island and Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine.

The new Point & Click adventure tells the tale of the beautiful, gifted opera singer Mona De Lafitte, whose life is brought to an abrupt end by the vampire baron, Shrowdy Von Kiefer. Trapped in Draxsylvania Castle and doomed to a miserable existence as a creature of the night, Mona decides to run away to fulfil her dream of singing at the Paris Opera.

A number of challenges await the elegant opera singer as she comes to terms with her new vampire nature and learns to harness the supernatural abilities she has acquired. Froderick, a witty and mischievous bat, joins Mona on the quest to realise her dream, helping unravel brain teasing puzzles and adding humour to the proceedings with a consistent flow of wise cracks and sinister jokes.

A Vampyre Story is a beautifully crafted game with great aesthetic value conveyed through a cast of wonderful characters and a creative storyline. Set for a Halloween 2008 release, the new game is a must see for any adventure game fan.1

Fast facts:

Publisher: Ascaron Entertainment / 93 Games

Web: www.Ascaron.com / www.vampyrestory-game.com

Developer: Autumn Moon

Release date: Halloween 2008

PEGI: 12+

Format: PC

Genre: Adventure

Guildford, UK – Wednesday, August 13, 2008 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Celebrity Sports Showdown, an all-new intellectual property, is currently in development at EA Canada and will be the first Wii title to launch under the new EA SPORTS Freestyle brand. From the makers of EA Playground, Celebrity Sports Showdown features 12 outdoor sports games and is the ultimate party game to play with people of all ages. Play as your favourite celebrities, with featured stars including singers Fergie and Avril Lavigne, and athletes like Paul Pierce and Mia Hamm, to determine who will be the ultimate celebrity athlete. Get off the couch and get into the action with fun and easy-to-play controls designed specifically for the Wii.

“We feel that this game is the EA SPORTS Freestyle answer to a great Wii party game. It explores the lighter side of sports and pulls inspiration from the entertainment spectacles that are so prevalent in pop culture today,” said Dave McCarthy, Executive Producer. “Celebrity Sports Showdown will bring people to the party with a collection of games and celebrities that appeal to everyone.”

Hit the great outdoors as you paddle through rapids in Wild Water Canoeing and hold on tight as you fly behind a speed boat for some wild Inner-Tubing! Get out of the water and onto the court as you hit away in Beach Volleyball and Smash Badminton, or take aim at your opponents in Arena Dodgeball. Cool down while you hit the slopes in Slalom Showdown, or sweep past your opponents in Curling. Get a bird’s eye view scaling a wall in Cliff Hangers or flying through the sky in Air Racers. Perfect your aim and nail the targets in Rapid Fire Archery, then gauge your strength in the gladiator-style Joust Duel, and hold on to the reigns of a champion thoroughbred all the way to the finish line in Hurdle Derby. With such a variety of sports to choose from, Celebrity Sports Challenge is the ultimate party game experience.