The biohazard threat has not ended: Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down player’s spines. Chris Redfield, returning Resident Evil hero, has followed the path of the evil literally around the globe. After joining a new organization, Chris heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures. He is joined by a new partner, Sheva Alomar, who lends her strength, intelligence and sharp-shooting skills to the mission. In order to survive, Chris and Sheva must work together to take on the challenges of discovering the truth behind this evil plot. Utilizing a revolutionary new co-op mode of gameplay, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience Resident Evil in new ways. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom will have players fearing the daylight as much as they have feared shadow in previous games.

Co-producer and series veterans Jun Takeuchi (Lost Planet) and Masachicka Kawata (Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles) unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation in Resident Evil 5, the sequel to one of the highest-rated videogames in history, according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com. Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, Resident Evil 5 is certain to bring new fans to the series. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and world of Resident Evil will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.

The latest in the Resident Evil series, which has sold over 34 million units since the original game was released in 1996, as well as spawned a multi-million dollar trilogy of films from Sony Pictures. Resident Evil 5 will revolutionize the Resident Evil series, just as Resident Evil 4 did.

• Chris Redfield, protagonist of the original Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Code Veronica, returns
• Chris is joined by new character Sheva Alomar, an African special agent tasked with investigating the epidemic
• 2 player co-op online gameplay means that players are not alone in their fight against the horror lurking around every corner
• Simultaneous global release date for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on March 13, 2009
• New enemies bring new challenges: speed and intelligence make adversaries as dangerous singly as they are in groups.
• An arsenal of weapons at the player’s command to keep the evil at bay, including knives, pistols, machine guns, sniper rifles and more.
• Lighting effects provide a new level of suspense in both harsh light and deepest shadow

Creative forces behind the highest rated strategy game* of all time reveal new private funding investment

VANCOUVER, CA (October 2nd, 2008) – Smoking Gun Interactive Inc. an independent premier video game studio announced today that it has recently finalized a multi-year, multi-million dollar financing agreement with private investors to expand the studio and the development of an as-of-yet undisclosed new property.

“This injection of private capital allows us to continue to control our own destiny, and deliver on our vision of taking interactive entertainment in new directions, and redefining what tomorrow’s games can be”, said John Johnson CEO and Creative Director of Smoking Gun Interactive, “We’ve expanded our core team with some exceptional talent, and with this financial expansion we’re now looking forward to welcoming new faces to our team and new partners to our business, as we become a leading force in independent games development”.

“Our plans for Smoking Gun have always been ambitious, so it’s tremendously exciting for us to get this vote of confidence from the investment community”, said Steven Lee, CFO of Smoking Gun Interactive, “This shows the kind of excitement and confidence in Smoking Gun that investors have about our plans for the studio and our products”.

Smoking Gun Interactive was formed in 2007 by former developers from Relic Entertainment. Led by CEO and Creative Director John Johnson, the management and executive team at Smoking Gun have developed multiple platinum titles with over half a billion dollars in revenue, including the critically acclaimed and award-winning RTS Company of Heroes™, that garnered over 45 industry awards and is the highest rated strategy game of all time*. Collectively, the team has over 30 years of experience and has worked on best-selling franchises including Impossible Creatures™, Homeworld™, Need for Speed™, NHL™, NBA Live™ and FIFA Soccer™.
Smoking Gun’s mission is to deliver triple A cross platform titles that push the art of gaming into new territories. The management’s collective experience in leading passionate teams and creating award winning products will position the studio into becoming a leading next-generation developer

Codemasters today announced the forthcoming release of the first downloadable content pack for Race Driver: GRID™, the summer’s hit game that made racing exciting again, with the reveal of the ‘8 Ball’ pack coming this autumn for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

Enhancing the award-winning Race Driver: GRID, the premium 8 Ball pack is set to feature eight thrilling new cars to race and two new online events to compete in. Each vehicle is beautifully realised and was carefully selected as a thoroughbred racing car with a unique personality to deliver a stunning race experience.

‘8 Ball’ DLC Pack Cars:

· McLaren F1 GTR – The McLaren F1 GTR wrote itself into the history books as the only GT car to ever win Le Mans and is considered one of the finest examples of automotive engineering in history.

· TVR Cerbera Speed 12 – The TVR 12 smashes past 60 MPH in just under 3 seconds. Production models were planned, but they were considered too powerful to sell to the general public.

· Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X – For over a decade the Evo has been billed as a supercar slayer – now the Evo-X in GRID lets you unleash its sledgehammer aggression in the Pro-Tuned class.

· Honda S2000 – This roadster is heavily modified for drifting and has become a cult-favourite thanks to its award winning engine.

· Nissan GT-R (S-G2008) – The production model was Top Gear’s Supercar of the Year 2007. Now one of the world’s hottest cars makes its debut in Race Driver: GRID in its fully tuned racing spec.

· VW Nardo – This powerful concept car made real from VW uses its 600BHP engine to rocket to 60MPH in 3.1 seconds.

· Pontiac Firebird Trans AM – The 1971 racing edition of this true American legend is a worthy addition to GRID’s exclusive group of muscle cars.

· Volvo C30 – Adding to Race Driver: GRID’s touring car roster comes the C30, Volvo’s agile, cutting edge hot-hatch straight from the STCC grid.

All eight cars will be available to drive in the game’s ‘Race Day’ mode and online races. In addition to the cars, the pack will make two new multiplayer events available, set on existing circuits from across Race Driver: GRID’s three continents and to test drivers to their very limit online. On Xbox 360, the pack will also feature four new Achievements worth a total of 100 points to earn from four new competitive challenges:

· Jack Of All Trades – Win an online race in each of the 8 Ball pack cars – 25pts.
· Drift Master - Achieve a 99x combo in the Honda S2000 – 25pts.
· Gas Guzzler - Clock up over 250 miles in your favourite 8 Ball pack car– 25pts.
· Clean Passing - Win a clean race in an 8 Ball Pack car from last position – 25pts.

With pricing for the pack to be confirmed at launch, the ‘8 Ball’ content will be available from PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®. Details for downloadable content for the Games for Windows® edition of Race Driver: GRID will be announced shortly.

Further content is expected to be released for the game, including a V8 Supercars featuring Ford and Holden cars and the Bathurst circuit, later this year. Each downloadable pack will require players to have a full copy of Race Driver: GRID on the appropriate format in order to experience the additional content. For all the latest information and videos, be sure to visit www.racedrivergrid.com

Learn more about random events and occurrences in the upcoming party RPG!

September 18, 2008 - In Dokapon Kingdom, the upcoming party RPG for Wii™ and PlayStation®2, players will find a bevy of unanticipated twists on their way to raking in the most gold, capturing the most towns, saving the kingdom, and winning the hand of the princess in holy matrimony. Below is a description of some of those sudden and at times undesirable events, along with some accompanying visuals, just to really hammer it home:

Like many traditional board games, players in Dokapon Kingdom take turns with a spinner to determine how many spaces they will be able to move. There are a wide variety of different spaces to land on, such as item/spell roulette wheels, bank spaces that allow for investment and tax collection from possessed towns, weapon/item/magic shops, and in addition to a large list of other spaces, there also happen to be the plain, bland yellow spaces.

In most games, these empty spaces are merely filler for the experience. In Dokapon Kingdom, very often they are the heart of the matter. Yellow spaces are where most player-versus-player engagements will occur, and the areas in which players will be doing work to strengthen and improve their characters. They’re also the only spaces in the entire grand world of Dokapon where random events can occur.

There are far too many different types to describe, but needless to say these events can often bring fortune for the player or just as easily bring disaster:

• Weber the Trickster likes to mess with contestants, usually tricks he finds fun but you likely won’t.
•Risque the Bandit offers players a chance to steal something from an opponent, but very often his fingers are not quite fast enough to get the job done (although he’ll have a firm grip on your payment).
• Robo-agent will offer players with the chance to “take out” one of their foes (and we’re not talking about eating out). Upon payment, he’ll transform into Robo-Sassin, and from that point it will be nail-biting suspense for your enemy as they hope to avoid encountering the obscenely overpowered automaton. Of course, very often Robo-Sassin is willing to consider taking double his original payment from his intended target, which will turn him back on his original client…
• The Beggar will ask you for money, simple as that. Pay him or don’t, there may be consequences either way…
• Kira the Merchant offers exceptional wares at hard to beat prices, but very often players will encounter her with empty pockets, which can only frustrate as she takes her rare wares elsewhere.

At the start of each week (and weeks are comprised of 7 rounds, in which each player has to have one turn), there is the possibility of random global events, which vary in scope and often can completely change the focus of the game:

• The Coliseum, for example, may pull all players to its great arena for a little bit of player-versus-player action, all for the enjoyment of its rather hedonistic owner.
• A “Wabbit Explosion” indicates to all contestants that there will be an inordinate number of Wabbits on the loose, something to consider when landing on an empty yellow space…
• The “Hairstyle contest” allows players who’ve taken the time to collect and use rare or fancy hairstyles to put their glam to the test. Who will be voted the fairest of all?
• The “Epidemic” will hit you where it hurts the most: your wallet! Your citizens are ill and need your help… Expect to pay a sizeable amount in aid based on the number and size of the towns you own.
• The “Abnormous Disaster” can really set folks back, knocking all of the towns on a single, random continent down a level and robbing them of all of their currently accumulated taxes. All those investments you poured lovingly into your little hamlets? Oh my, misplaced, so sorry!

These are really just a taste of the types of completely unforeseeable bonuses, disasters, and curious events that can spice up a game of Dokapon Kingdom. Be sure to check out the screens below to see some of what’s been described above! Dokapon Kingdom is scheduled for release on October 14!

For more information on Dokapon Kingdom, please visit the official website.

Licensed Partners Instrumental to the Authentic Rock Experience

New York, NY – September 18, 2008 – Harmonix and MTV Games announced today a new lineup of musical instrument manufacturers whose premier products will be appearing in Rock Band 2. Joining the list of amazing in-game instruments from the original Rock Band, will be real world microphones, new guitars and an array of industry leading drumsets from some of the music industry’s most prolific manufacturers.

“We believe that working closely with our musical instrument partners is crucial to our mission to deliver the most authentic music experience possible,” stated Greg LoPiccolo, Vice President of Product Development, Harmonix Music Systems. “Whether it’s picking out your P Bass™, finding the right finish & hardware for your drums, or choosing the best microphone for your singer’s style, having real world instruments included within the world of Rock Band 2 is essential.”

The full list of musical instrument partners included is as follows:

Guitars, Basses and Amplifiers:

• Fender™ (Including Charvel™, Gretsch™, Jackson™, Squier™, SWR™)

Drums:

• DW
• Gretsch Drums™
• Ludwig/Conn-Selmer
• Pearl
• SJC Custom Drum
• Zildjian Cymbals

Microphones:

• Selnnheiser
• Shure

Accessories / Additional Instruments:

• Ernie Ball
• Electro-Harmonix
• EMG Pickups
• Fender™
• Ludwig Drumsticks
• Pro-Mark
• Roland/BOSS
• Vater Drumsticks
• Vic Firth
• ZVEX

Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including over 100 songs on the Rock Band 2 soundtrack with an unrivaled blend of classic and new artists including AC/DC, Guns ‘N Roses, Bob Dylan, Pearl Jam, Motorhead and more! With the addition of complete and immediate backwards compatibility for songs purchased from Rock Band’s ever-expanding online music store and the ability to export most songs from the original Rock Band disc, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year’s end.

The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 21 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 300 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated “T” for Teen with descriptors of lyrics and suggestive themes by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

Q&A

Answers by: Jeramy Cooke (BIA HH Director)

1) BIA has always been a violent series, mostly because of the topic it’s covering. Will BIA HH follow the same path?
BiA HH will continue to show the horrors of war be they physical gore or mental trauma. We feel it’s important to treat the subject with respect but at the same time help people feel the intensity of the violence. War is at its core a violent act and gore is something that goes with the territory.

2) We all have in mind the incredible opening scene in Saving Private Ryan and BIA has always tried to be very realistic. How did you reach a decision for the level of gore that you wanted in the game?
Really it was a very straightforward decision. Each area of the game that depicts violence is specifically to illustrate an important story point or convey the terrible nature of war. We never really ask ourselves about the “Gore Level” instead we focus on the drama and purpose of the scene or game system. If gore happens to be a part of that experience then so be it.

3) What is the biggest technical challenge that you had to face during the development of the new gore system?
The main challenge was making sure the physics was fast enough on each of the different platforms. Since each platform has different performance characteristics we had to tune the simulations to match. As well it was a challenge dealing with the additional memory required to break apart different enemy types in so many ways.

4) Finally, did you cut some of the gore features you planned on implementing in the game originally?
Actually the gore system landed a fair bit ahead of where we had originally planned. Since our game is not about gore we generally wanted to keep it in the background and thus we didn’t plan on spending big into the tech. However there were a number of features the team promoted internally such as headshot specific gore and dripping blood on walls that weren’t in the original plan.