>
September 28, 2007
Dead Island site live
Tabula Rasa clones
Empires' Asia Expansion
Garriot heads to space
Space Adventures Announces 1st
Second Generation Astronaut Plans Flight to International Space Station
First private spaceflight open to
commercial involvement in mission activities
Vienna, Va. – September 28, 2007 –
Space Adventures, Ltd., the world’s leading space experiences company,
announced today that famed game developer Richard Garriott, son of former
NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, has begun preparations for a “commercially
active” mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Mr. Garriott’s spaceflight, currently
planned for October 2008, will be the first in a series of missions that
will accommodate commercial activity aboard the ISS. Involvement from the
private sector can include scientific and environmental research and
educational outreach programming.
“It has always been Space Adventures’
goal to open the space frontier. Now, with Richard’s flight, we have
designed a series of missions devoted to increase commercial involvement
in manned space missions,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of
Space Adventures. “It is a very rare occasion when so many commercial
opportunities are available in one space mission. We encourage interested
parties to contact us.”
Space Adventures made history in 2001 by
organizing the mission of the first private space explorer. Now, the
company continues to bring innovation to manned spaceflight by enabling
corporate and non-profit entities to participate in commercial endeavors
on the planet’s only orbiting outpost.
“I am dedicating my spaceflight to
science,” said Mr. Garriott. “It is my goal to devote a significant
amount of my time aboard the space station to science, engineering and
educational projects. I understand the necessity for conducting research
in extreme environments whether it is collecting microorganisms from deep
sea hydrothermal vents to carrying out experiments in the continuous
micro-gravity of Earth orbit.” He continued, “We need to be
adventurous in mind and simulate our intellects to answer today’s most
daunting scientific questions and to invent tomorrow’s technological
marvels.”
The first commercial research partner
involved in Mr. Garriott’s mission is ExtremoZyme, Inc., a biotechnology
company co-founded by Owen Garriott. The company plans to conduct protein
crystallization experiments in space with proteins that have important
cellular functions and are usually associated with common human diseases.
Having access to these superior crystals will enable researchers to learn
more about the molecular details of these proteins which is essential for
protein engineering and structure-guided drug design.
“Because of my career, it was almost
natural for Richard to be interested in space and exploration. I am so
pleased that he is able to embrace this himself and that he is dedicating
his flight to research. I am very proud of him,” said Owen Garriott, Mr.
Garriott’s father and former NASA astronaut (Skylab II/SL-3,
STS-9/Spacelab-1).
Interested parties, including commercial
and non-profit entities and space enthusiasts, can get involved in Mr.
Garriott’s spaceflight via his web site (www.richardinspace.com). Mr.
Garriott will be updating the site continuously via photos, blog entries
and individuals can submit questions and suggestions for his mission
activities. “I want to involve as many people as possible in my mission,”
said Mr. Garriott.
About Richard Garriott:
Richard Garriott is best known as a key
figure in the computer gaming field. He was one of the earliest and most
successful game developers. Mr. Garriott developed the Ultima series which
remains the longest running computer game franchise, and with his brother,
Robert, he founded Origin Systems, one of the most respected PC game
developers and publishers. Richard also created Ultima Online, which
ushered in the new massively multi-player online (MMO) genre, the fastest
growing segment in computer gaming today. More recently, he co-founded the
North American arm of NCsoft, the world’s largest online game developer
and publisher. In October, his latest game, Richard Garriott's Tabula
Rasa, will ship in North America and in the European Union. For more
information, please visit www.rgtr.com.
About Space Adventures:
Space Adventures, the company that
organized the flights for the world’s first private space explorers:
Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, Greg Olsen, Anousheh Ansari and Charles
Simonyi, is headquartered in Vienna, Va. with an office in Moscow. It
offers a variety of programs such as the availability today for
spaceflight missions to the International Space Station and around the
moon, Zero-Gravity flights, cosmonaut training, spaceflight qualification
programs and reservations on future suborbital spacecrafts. The company's
advisory board includes Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, Shuttle
astronauts Sam Durrance, Tom Jones, Byron Lichtenberg, Norm Thagard, Kathy
Thornton, Pierre Thuot, Charles Walker, Skylab/Shuttle astronaut Owen
Garriott and Russian cosmonaut Yuri Usachev. For more information, please
visit www.spaceadventures.com.
Second expansion pack for
massively popular Games for Windows franchise adds Eastern flare, hits
store shelves Oct. 23rd
Microsoft Game Studios today announced
that the eagerly awaited “Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties,”
the second expansion pack for “Age of Empires III,” has gone gold and
will hit retailers throughout North America on Oct. 23rd.
From renowned real-time strategy
developers Big Huge Games and Ensemble Studios, “Age of Empires III: The
Asian Dynasties” introduces gamers to Asian civilizations and a host of
new gameplay features. Players will experience firsthand the rich and
historical influences of Asia while commanding their units and expanding
their empire in the Eastern world.
In addition to the introduction of
playable Asian civilizations to Age of Empires III, the expansion pack
provides new content, new ways of winning and trading, random map styles
that feature remixes of classic “Age of Empires” game styles, and the
return of Wonders - a favorite gameplay element in “Age of Empires II.”
These new features will coincide with the basic core gameplay of “Age of
Empires III” that gamers have come to know and love. “Age of Empires
III: The Asian Dynasties” will also ship as a Games for Windows title
with easier installation, enhanced reliability standards and support for
key Windows Vista features, including the Games Explorer and Parental
Controls.
“Age of Empires” and real-time
strategy buffs can pick up "Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties”
for the estimated retail price of $29.99 for Windows. “Age of Empires
III: The Asian Dynasties” is rated “T” for Teen, for gamers 13 years
old and above. “Age of Empires III” is required to play “Age of
Empires III: The Asian Dynasties.” For more information, please visit
www.ageofempires3.com.
About Big Huge Games
Founded by four veteran game developers
who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as Rise of
Nations, Alpha Centauri®, and Civilization II®, Big Huge Games is a
video game studio focused on cutting-edge technology and aimed at
mass-market game development. Big Huge Games founders Brian Reynolds,
Jason Coleman, David Inscore and Tim Train continue in the tradition of
creating inspired and innovative games for PC and next-generation
consoles. Creating games that have received numerous “Game of the Year”
awards and accolades, Big Huge Games is headquartered in Timonium,
Maryland. For more information about Big Huge Games, please visit http://www.bighugegames.com.
Tabula Rasa Character Cloning
System Feature Available
"I think we have all had that
moment when you are so busy you just wish you could clone yourself. I know
as we get closer to launch, a few clones of the development team would be
a welcome addition. But that’s not the kind of cloning I want to talk
about. Though the Medic class can create a temporary clone to fight
alongside them, the actual Character Cloning System™ in Richard Garriott’s
Tabula Rasa is a bit different. It is a way for players to save their
progress with a character so they can try new classes and new builds
without having to start over.” – Paul Sage, Lead Designer.
We have included a feature article
created by Paul Sage, the lead designer on Richard Garriott’s Tabula
Rasa that highlights the Character Cloning System. Included with the
article are three hi-res screenshots that help illustrate the cloning
system as well as seven more new screenshots of the game. To download this
material, please visit NCsoft's large media FTP site, and navigate to the
Tabula Rasa folder and you will find the feature in a folder called "Tabula
Rasa / Cloning Feature Sept 27 07."
The Tabula Rasa Character Cloning System
feature contains the following:
· 3 high-res screenshots that highlight
the character cloning system
· 7 high-res Tabula Rasa screenshots
· 1 article describing character
cloning system featured in Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa
Official Dead Island website is
launched
www.deadislandgame.com
Today Techland proudly presents an
official website for Dead Island.
Visit www.deadislandgame.com for all
information, screenshots, movies, forum and other exclusive content.
About Dead Island: Dead Island is a
non-linear FPP (First Person Perspective) survival horror title. The
ultra-realistic combat system will ensure that every confrontation is a
thrilling experience. Use anything you find in your surroundings as a
weapon. Make decisions that influence the entire world around you. Take
advantage of opponent behavior and game physics. Dead Island is a mix of
intense action and chilling horror environments in an engaging, strikingly
realistic story.
Platforms: PC, X360
Release Date: TBA
> September 26-27, 2007
Halo 3 sets sales dollar record
CSI Hard Evidence ships for 360
Jericho Demo hits PS Network
Xbox 360 Exclusive "Halo
3" Registers Biggest Day in US Entertainment History
Microsoft today announced that the Xbox
360 exclusive game “Halo 3” has officially become the biggest
entertainment launch in history, garnering an estimated $170 million in
sales in the United States alone in the first 24 hours. The Xbox 360 title
beat previous records set by blockbuster theatrical releases like “Spider-man
3” and novels such as “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
“Halo 3” is the conclusion to the
epic trilogy and picks up where “Halo 2” left off, answering questions
around the fates of the beloved protagonist Master Chief and his
artificial intelligence sidekick Cortana as they struggle to save
humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien coalition known as
the Covenant. In addition to the rich storyline, “Halo 3” continues
the franchise’s grand tradition of delivering innovative online
multiplayer experiences via Xbox LIVE, the world’s largest social
network on TV.
“Halo 3 has become a pop-culture
phenomenon,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game
Studios. “Not only is “Halo 3” setting sales records, it’s also
redefining entertainment.
Within the first 20 hours alone, we’ve
seen more than a million Xbox LIVE members come online to play Halo 3 –
that makes September 25 the most active Xbox LIVE gaming day in history.”
Retailers have also expressed their
excitement about the launch of “Halo 3.”
Bob McKenzie, Senior Vice President of
Merchandising for GameStop Corp commented that, “With consumer demand
for Halo 3 and related products, we expect it to be the biggest video game
title generator in GameStop's history."
“The initial demand we’ve seen for
‘Halo 3’ has been astounding, and the game is on track to become the
number one gaming title of all time. ‘Halo 3’ is a genuine
entertainment phenomenon and our customers have responded very
enthusiastically to the release,” said Jill Hamburger, vice president of
movies and games at Best Buy.
Developed by Bungie Studios, the “Halo”
franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system
and optimized for the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network. The more
than 7 million Xbox LIVE users will get a continually evolving gaming
experience with “Halo 3.” Its online multiplayer and cooperative
gameplay for Xbox LIVE Gold users, the much-talked-about Saved Films
feature that enables players to capture and save their favorite moments on
their hard drives, and Forge, an innovative map editor that enables
infinite customization options are just some of the new features to
experience.
More than 10,000 retailers hosted
Midnight Madness events to celebrate the launch of this third installment
in the billion-dollar franchise. In New York, Seattle, Miami and Los
Angeles, Microsoft and retail partners hosted marquee launch events that
featured contests and appearances by local celebrities and professional
athletes who are fanatical about the “Halo” franchise, including
Ludacris and Zac Efron and Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates.
More than 1.7 million copies of “Halo
3” were preordered in the United States before a single store opened its
doors at midnight, Sept. 25, making this the fasting pre-selling game in
history, surpassing the previous record-setting pre-sales of “Halo 2.”
Well beyond just a U.S. phenomenon, the launch of “Halo 3” was a
worldwide celebration that released in 37 countries and available in 17
languages.
UBISOFT ANNOUNCES CSI: CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION(TM) HARD EVIDENCE HAS SHIPPED TO STORE SHELVES FOR XBOX
360(TM) AND PC DVD-ROM
For the First Time CSI Fans Can Play a
CSI Video Game on Xbox 360
Download Trailer Here: http://files.us.ubisoft.com/CSIHE_Trailer_Case3.zip
SAN FRANCISCO – September 25, 2007 –
Today, Ubisoft announced CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION(TM) Hard Evidence
has shipped to store shelves for the Xbox 360(TM) video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft and PC DVD-ROM. This release marks the
debut of the CSI franchise on Xbox 360. Players will experience
cinematic-style graphics and a user interface that has been completely
redone with a console audience in mind, making the game more like the show
than ever. CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION(TM) Hard Evidence is rated
"M” for Mature and has a MSRP of $39.99 for Xbox 360 and $29.99 for
PC DVD-ROM.
About CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION(TM):
Hard Evidence Developed by Telltale Games, CSI: CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION(TM) Hard Evidence will continue the crime-solving experience
of Ubisoft's CSI video game series. Players will join Gil Grissom,
Catherine Willows and the rest of the Las Vegas cast to help solve crimes
using realistic techniques and lab equipment. The game features forensic
reconstructions and atmospheric crime scenes taken directly from the
television show, including an all-new garage lab for analyzing large
pieces of evidence, improved evidence gathering, lab mini-games and more.
There are more areas to explore and increased interaction with the CSI
team, resulting in a longer play experience. Game features include:
• More Crime-Solving Action Break down
the evidence and bring suspects to justice in five all-new, bizarre
crimes. Unravel longer cases, search bigger crime scenes and uncover
hidden evidence in unique locations like never before.
• Go Deeper into the Evidence Master
new forensic tools and find more evidence than ever. Use the new garage
lab to examine large pieces of evidence like cars and trucks. Recreate
gunfights with ballistic lasers, uncover shocking secrets with video
analysis and much more.
• The Ultimate CSI Experience
Experience your very own CSI episodes as you piece together clues with the
real CSI actors. Take part in dramatic interrogations, create grisly crime
reenactments and explore atmospheric crime scenes inspired by the show.
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION(TM) is
consistently one of the top-rated shows on network television and won the
People's Choice Award for Favorite Television Drama in 2003, 2004, 2005
and 2006 and was a People's Choice Award nominee in 2007 as well. The CSI
video game franchise, published by Ubisoft, has sold approximately 2.4
million units worldwide since the first CSI title was released in March
2003.
About CBS Consumer Products CBS Consumer
Products, a unit of CBS Entertainment, manages worldwide licensing and
merchandising for a diverse slate of television brands and series from
CBS, CBS Paramount Network Television and CBS Television Distribution, as
well as from the company's extensive library of titles. Additionally, the
group oversees the CBS Retail Store and online sales of programming
merchandise. For more information, visit www.CBS.com.
About Telltale, Inc. Telltale is a new
breed of interactive entertainment company pioneering high-caliber
episodic game publishing and development. Founded in 2004 by industry
veterans with decades of experience, the company has quickly become a
leader in episodic gaming by delivering award-winning interactive
experiences that emphasize engaging stories, strong characters and rich
worlds. To learn more about Telltale, please visit www.telltalegames.com.
About Ubisoft Ubisoft is a leading
producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products
worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified
lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 21 countries
and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to
delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers.
Ubisoft generated sales of 680 million Euros for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION and
elements and characters thereof © 2000–2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and
Alliance Atlantis Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CSI: CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION is a trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. and outside USA is a
trademark of Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc. ALLIANCE ATLANTIS with
the stylized "A” design TM Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
CBS and the CBS Eye Design TM CBS Broadcasting Inc. Software © 2007
Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft, Ubi.com, and the
Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the U.S. and/or
other countries. Company logos are trademarks of their respective owners.
No celebrity endorsements implied. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox
logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
PlayStation Store Update - Sept.
27
It’s time for the PLAYSTATION
Store weekly update.
• Clive Barker’s Jericho
• NBA 2K8
We also have a couple more add-ons. The
first is a new vehicle for MotorStorm. This vehicle, the “Castro
Capitano,” is not offered in any other MotorStorm bundle, and it’s
only $0.99. There’s also a new Speed Master add-on for Ninja Gaiden
Sigma.
As usual, we released more game videos
and movie trailers:
• NBA 08 Upside Progression System tutorial
• Eye of Judgement Overview
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock trailer
• Iron Man trailer
• We Own the Night trailer
> September 25, 2007
Tom Clancy Air Combat announced
Facebook adds game application
The Settlers goes retail
UBISOFT LAUNCHES AN AERIAL ASSAULT
WITH NEW TOM CLANCY AIR COMBAT BRAND
SAN FRANCISCO – September 25, 2007 –
Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced
the creation of a new Tom Clancy franchise being developed by Ubisoft's
Bucharest studio for next generation consoles and PC. The first air combat
brand from the Tom Clancy universe will launch in 2008.
"Ubisoft has an unrivaled track
record of creating and sustaining new brands,” said Serge Hascoet, chief
creative officer at Ubisoft. "Our commitment to refreshing our
catalog with regular introduction of new IPs is what keeps gamers coming
back for more. With this new brand we're redefining the aerial combat
genre and extending the Tom Clancy universe to deliver a compelling new
action title to next-generation gamers.”
The game is set in the near future in a
world where a private military force has cumulated such power that it
attacks the United States. Placed into the cockpits of incredibly powerful
and technologically advanced jet fighters, gamers will benefit from
high-tech piloting assistance, providing comfort, security, and enhanced
perception. As players gain skills and confidence, they will be able to
progress with less assistance, but will have to weigh the risks carefully
before choosing performance over security.
"We are confident that this new
brand will become the new benchmark for flight combat games and will be,
like other Tom Clancy based games, an instant online multiplayer hit,”
says Sebastien Delen, managing director of Ubisoft's Bucharest studio.
"The player will experience all the action and excitement of modern
air combat, from intense dog fighting to tactical strikes.”
About Ubisoft Ubisoft is a leading
producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products
worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified
line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 23 countries
and sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to
delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers.
Ubisoft generated sales of 680 million Euros for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Tom Clancy With more than 80
million books sold, Tom Clancy is arguably the world's most recognized
author. His works include fiction such as The Hunt for Red October, Clear
and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Rainbow Six, Without Remorse and
The Teeth of the Tiger. Clancy also writes nonfiction works about weapons
and various military units. Four of his books have already been adapted
into highly successful feature films.
FACEBOOK GAMERS FINALLY CAN CONNECT WITH
NEW VIDEO GAME APPLICATION
Friends Can Share Reviews and Ratings for More Than 23,000 Video Game
Titles
College Park, Md. Sept. 25, 2007 - Goozex, Inc., a leading online video
game trading community, publicly launched today a new Facebook application
designed to promote and support gaming communities on one of the largest
and fastest growing social networking sites. Millions of Facebook members
now can share their own game reviews, ratings, and personal libraries for
more than 23,000 game titles through one well-managed application page.
Goozex's new application promotes the
sharing of game-specific content from current next-generation console
games like Halo 3(tm) for the Xbox 360(tm) to classic games on the
original PlayStation(tm). The application also allows users to quickly
access the entire Goozex video games database through various console and
search filters. In just a few clicks, users can access the latest reviews
and ratings from Facebook members and friends, and additional weekly and
Top 10 ratings lists are provided on the application's homepage. Goozex's
application allows viewers to see their friends' activities, from adding
reviews, posting game ratings, listing "favorites" games and
underscoring their "I want to play" games.
"For the last few months, we've
been building an application that will meet the demands of many gamers on
Facebook," said Valerio Zanini, CEO and co-founder of Goozex, Inc.
"I am both a Facebook member and a gamer, and it's always been my
goal to share the games I prefer and don't prefer with my friends just
like I do now with movies and music. For example, I want to see what
people think about Bioshock before I purchase it. Goozex always has been
about connecting people on the topic of video games, and developing this
Facebook application is a natural extension of who we are and what we
do."
How to Use the Application: The
application is downloaded into a member's personal profile page, which
allows friends to browse through recent reviews and ratings. Unlike some
other Facebook applications, members need not sign up or share personal
information with Goozex to download the application; the application runs
entirely inside the Facebook universe where users are not required to be
Goozex.com members to access it. Goozex members; however, can share their
game-trading library lists through their Facebook profile, making it
easier for friends to see which games are wanted and which can be traded.
The new Goozex application is found under Video Game Community on Facebook
and can be linked here: http://apps.facebook.com/goozexgames.
Goozex will be running a Limited Edition
Halo 3 Xbox 360 Elite(tm) giveaway promotion for the first four weeks
after the application launch. Each week, one lucky winner will win one of
the four consoles prizes by inviting their friends to join the Goozex
video game community on Facebook.
About Goozex, Inc.
Goozex, Inc. is an award winning
peer-to-multi-peer trading company headquartered in College Park,
Maryland. Launched in July 2006, Goozex.com was named a Webby Award
Official Honoree in April 2007. Currently, it is a leading video game
trading service based on an automated point system. Games are assigned a
point value based on several factors including supply and demand, and
users earn points when trading their games with other users. Points can
then be redeemed for other video games. The system offers its users a fair
market value for their games and guarantees all trades. Goozex, your game
trading community TM. Please visit our website at www.goozex.com
Website: http://www.goozex.com
THE SETTLERS® RISE OF AN EMPIRE VIDEO
GAME IN STORES NOW
Butchers, Beer and Blacksmiths Abound in
Bustling Medieval Cities
SAN FRANCISCO – September 25, 2007 –
Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced
that The Settlers® Rise of an Empire has shipped to retailers nationwide
and is available exclusively for Games for Windows®. The Settlers Rise of
an Empire is the sixth game in the popular PC strategy franchise that was
created by Ubisoft's Blue Byte studio and has sold more than six million
copies worldwide. The Settlers Rise of an Empire is rated "E10+”
for Everyone 10 and Older and has an MSRP of $49.99.
In The Settlers Rise of an Empire, the
player builds lively, bustling towns in a medieval world. Everything is
visible, lovingly animated and realistic. Each settler has his or her own
daily routine, with a range of different actions and behaviors that can be
observed by the player at all times. By expanding the empire, the player
can aspire to become a legendary king or queen.
The most popular features of the
predecessors in the series have been retained and many of the fans'
requests were incorporated into Settlers Rise of an Empire, creating an
all-new Settlers atmosphere. The result is a realistic medieval world,
captured in intricate detail. The game features an immersive, yet
transparent economic system based on the resources, wares and goods
produced by the settlers in their various trades and occupations.
Key Features:
• Create big, bustling medieval
cities: Plot your expansion, manage your resources wisely and provide for
your people. The Settlers Rise of an Empire offers gameplay that is easy
to pick up and allows everybody from beginners to strategy experts to
enjoy the game.
• Protect your citizens and your
empire: Build up armies, vehicles and walls to protect your empire.
Everything depends on your economy: Is your empire wealthy enough to
supply a powerful defense force?
• Exciting multiplayer experience:
Work cooperatively with a friend and play against another team: Will your
division of labor be efficient enough to beat your opponent?
• A full living, detailed atmosphere:
The RenderWare engine creates an extremely detailed universe with numerous
plants, animals and other details that bring the environment to life in
rich detail.
• Four climatic zones: The four
climatic zones and four seasons have full impact on resource management
and gameplay.
• Natural interaction of Settlers:
Every Settler has his or her own daily life and interacts naturally with
others.
About Ubisoft Ubisoft is a leading
producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products
worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified
lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 23 countries
and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to
delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers.
Ubisoft generated sales of 680 million Euros for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
Ubisoft Blue Byte Ubisoft Blue Byte was
founded in Düsseldorf, Germany 1988 by Thomas Herzler and a colleague,
both veterans of Rainbow Arts. Blue Byte's goal was to create and market
real-time strategy games. The studio's first hit came in 1991 with Battle
Isle, followed in 1993 with the perennial favorite The Settlers®. Blue
Byte became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ubisoft in 2001 and the 20 team
members continue to contribute to the Settlers® series, releasing The
Settlers® V: Heritage of Kings in 2005.
©2007 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights
Reserved. The Settlers, Blue Byte and the Blue Byte logo are trademarks of
Red Storm Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other countries. Ubisoft,
Ubi.com, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in
the U.S. and/or other countries. Red Storm Entertainment Inc. is a Ubisoft
Entertainment company. Developed by Blue Byte Software. RenderWare is a
registered trademark. Windows and the Windows Vista start button logo are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries and "Games for Windows” and the
Windows Vista start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.
> September 24, 2007
Halo 3 midnight launch looming
Burnout Paradise features revealed
NBA 2K8 music tracks & artist details
Starting at Midnight the Worldwide
Wait for “Halo 3” Ends Highly anticipated game expected to register
the biggest day in retail entertainment history.
REDMOND, Wash. — Sept. 24, 2007 —
Starting tonight “Halo® 3,” the final chapter of Microsoft Corp.’s
epic video game trilogy, finally goes on sale around the world. By the end
of the week, fans in 37 countries will be playing the game Wired magazine
recently called “a cultural touchstone, a Star Wars for the thumb stick
generation.”
In the United States, more than 10,000
retailers across the country are opening their doors at midnight tonight
solely to sell copies of the game and accompanying Xbox 360® consoles and
accessories. With nary a pirate, a spider or a wand in sight, day-one
sales of the highly anticipated video game are expected to shatter
entertainment sales records and top the biggest entertainment launches of
all time.
“The excitement and demand for ‘Halo
3’ has transcended a typical video game release and we’re preparing
dedicated registers for its midnight release in our 24-hour stores,”
said Darin Dickson, video game merchandise buyer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. “It’s
clear that this is one of the most anticipated games of the year and that
12:01 am Sept. 25 will be a memorable moment for thousands of gamers.”
The conclusion of “Halo 2” left
unanswered questions around the fates of the beloved protagonist Master
Chief™ and his artificial intelligence sidekick Cortana® as they
struggle to save humankind from destruction at the hands of the alien
coalition known as the Covenant. The legions of dedicated fans lining the
streets tonight are waiting for the chance to be among the first to own
the coveted final chapter in the “Halo” trilogy and unearth the
well-kept secrets of the storyline.
“Our customers have been waiting for
‘Halo 3’ since the day after ‘Halo 2’ launched in 2004,” said
Jill Hamburger, vice president of movies and games at Best Buy. “‘Halo
3’ is going to bring the experience to new levels, and we are excited to
help our customers get the best possible game playing experience.”
Developed by Bungie Studios, the “Halo”
franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system
and optimized for the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network. The more
than 7 million Xbox LIVE users will get a continually evolving gaming
experience with “Halo 3” and its online multiplayer and cooperative
gameplay for Xbox LIVE Gold users, the much-talked-about Saved Films
feature that enables players to capture and save their favorite moments on
their hard drives, and Forge, an innovative map editor that enables
infinite customization options.
“With ‘Halo 3,’ Bungie Studios has
further mastered the art of marrying fantastic gameplay with the
intangibles that make the experience extraordinary for gamers, evoking
incredible emotion through its story and character development,” said
Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “That
emotion is at the heart of what makes this more than a game and why ‘Halo’
connects with its audience in the way other great stories like ‘Star
Wars’ resonated with theirs. But unlike the static experiences of a
great film or novel, ‘Halo 3’ offers a dynamic and social interactive
entertainment experience that enables players to finish the fight
themselves.”
Regional Marquee Events and Global
Celebration
More than 10,000 retailers are planning
events and opening their doors at midnight to celebrate this third
installment in the billion-dollar franchise. In New York, Seattle, Miami
and Los Angeles, Microsoft and retail partners are hosting marquee launch
events that will feature contests and appearances by local celebrities and
celebrities and professional athletes who are fanatical about the “Halo”
franchise.
The marquee launch events will be held
at the following stores:
• New York: Best Buy, 529 5th Ave, New
York, N.Y. 10017
• Seattle: Best Buy, 457 120th Ave NE,
Bellevue, Wash. 98005
• Los Angeles: GameStop, 1000
Universal Studios Blvd, Universal City, Calif. 91608
• Miami: Circuit City, 8575 Northwest
13th Terrace, Miami, Fla. 33126
A list of retail outlets opening at
12:01 a.m. can be found at http://www.xbox.com/unitetofight.
More than 1.5 million copies of “Halo
3” have been sold before a single store opens its doors at midnight,
making this the fasting pre-selling game in history, surpassing the
previous record-setting pre-sales of “Halo 2.” Well beyond just a U.S.
phenomenon, the launch of “Halo 3” is a worldwide celebration that is
releasing in 37 countries and available in 17 languages.
Made exclusively for Xbox 360, “Halo 3”
will be made available in three versions: Standard Edition at $59.99 (U.S.
ERP*), Limited Edition for $69.99 (U.S. ERP*), and the ultimate collector’s
item, the Legendary Edition at $129.99 (U.S. ERP*). The Legendary Edition
will be released in limited quantities and arrive in a highly collectible
Spartan helmet case, along with two bonus discs full of exclusive content.
The Limited Edition will ship in a sleek metal collector’s case and
include the first bonus disc found in the Legendary Edition, as well as a
special “Halo” fiction and art book. And for those who crave nothing
more than the highly anticipated third chapter to one of the greatest
gaming trilogies of all time, the Standard Edition will consist of the “Halo
3” game.
In November 2004 the world’s view of
video games changed forever with the release of “Halo 2,” which
generated a record-setting $125 million (U.S.) in sales within the first
24 hours and changed the way people think about interactive entertainment.
Three years later, it remains the most-played game on Microsoft’s Xbox
LIVE online gaming and entertainment network, with nearly 1 billion hours
of online gaming logged to date.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a superior video game and
entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment
features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers.
Xbox 360 will have a portfolio of more than 300 games and will be
available in nearly 40 countries by the end of 2007. More information can
be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is the first and most
comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated
throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to
find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they
power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects millions of members
across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable
games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music
videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as new game
levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More
information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading
worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360
video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms.
Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is
committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows
(http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as “Age of
Empires®,” “Flight Simulator” and “Zoo Tycoon®”; Xbox and Xbox
360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as “Gears of War” and
franchises such as “Halo,” “Fable®,” “Project Gotham Racing®”
and “Forza Motorsport®”; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com),
the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as
“Bejeweled” and “Hexic®.”
About Bungie Studios
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with
two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful
art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those
games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10
years, it has produced games such as the “Marathon” trilogy and the
first two “Myth” games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers
around the world. Bungie’s “Halo” franchise is an international
award-winning action title that has grown into a global entertainment
phenomenon, selling more than 14.8 million units worldwide, logging nearly
one billion hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE, and spawning action
figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel and more. Bungie is currently at
work on “Halo 3,” which represents the third chapter in this “Halo”
trilogy and is slated for release on Sept. 25, 2007. More information on
Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net
EA REVS UP BURNOUT PARADISE WITH INNOVATION AND
STYLE
version to feature Rumble Controls, 3-Button EasyDrive &
PLAYSTATION®Eye for Instant Mugshots that Capture the Fun of the
Moment
Tokyo, Japan - September 21, 2007 – Paradise City awaits. Electronic
Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today revealed the unique feature set that will
define Burnout™ Paradise – the next-generation of Burnout. With true
open world freedom, seamless ‘EasyDrive’ online multiplayer, four
unique single-player events, and hundreds of online Freeburn challenges,
Burnout Paradise thrusts gamers into an incredibly vivid HD world that
pushes the limits of the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and
Xbox 360™ videogame system. The white knuckle action explodes as players
pull up at any stoplight and spin their wheels to jumpstart the action.
Spectacular bone-crushing crashes and an unparalleled sense of speed will
always be a hallmark of Burnout games but Burnout Paradise ups the ante
with an all new game design that expands the experience into a deeper,
ever more immersive driving dream. Some of the key features that set
Burnout Paradise apart include:
• True Open World Freedom – The entire city will be available from the
outset, giving players the freedom to explore this immersive world known
as Paradise City. Experience open world driving Burnout style as the
action begins with you, but it doesn’t have to end.
• EasyDrive Online Social Gaming – See your friends online with the
EasyDrive Friends List and connect with them instantly without having to
wait or exit your game. Burnout Paradise is revolutionizing the way
players jump on and offline, making it as simple and quick as
possible.
• Single-player Events – Choose from Race, Marked Man, Road Rage, and
Stunt by pulling up to the numerous stoplights in the game to initiate the
event. The action isn’t forced any longer, as players have the freedom
to start and even end a challenge at their leisure.
“This is the true beginning of next generation racing. On PLAYSTATION 3
and Xbox 360, we are delivering a game that brings brilliant graphics into
HD at 60 frames per second. Burnout Paradise does something that no other
Burnout game has ever done – it gives the player full control on how to
play the game,” said Alex Ward, Creative Director at EA Criterion. “At
Criterion, we have a long history of delivering stand-out software on the
PlayStation consoles. The entire team is fired up about the opportunity to
carry that heritage into the PLAYSTATION 3 generation.”
Burnout Paradise will have you feeling every bump, crash, scrape, and
collision using Sony’s new DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controller with rumble
feature for the PLAYSTATION 3 . The EasyDrive online Friends List keeps
the action flowing on the PLAYSTATION 3, as players get into a challenge
with three easy taps of a button. Once the competition heats up, players
can grab snapshots as they rip through opponents and collect candid
Mugshots of friends and foes alike using the PLAYSTATION Eye. The Xbox 360
version of the game features Mugshots using Xbox LIVE® Vision. Burnout
Paradise has not yet been rated by the ESRB and PEGI. Developed by the
award-winning team at EA Criterion in Guildford, the game will ship under
the EA™ brand this Winter.
2K Sports Announces NBA® 2K8
Soundtrack to Showcase an Array of Eclectic Music Offerings
Soundtrack to Feature Run-DMC, Devo,
Stone Roses and Exclusive J Dilla Collaborations with Common, Q-Tip, Talib
Kweli and Madlib
New York, NY – September 24, 2007 –
2K Sports, the sports publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software,
Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), today announced that NBA® 2K8 will feature original
and exclusive tracks from the late legendary producer J Dilla (aka Jay
Dee) with Common, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli and Madlib providing vocals. The
in-game soundtrack will also include music that harkens back to the roots
of hip-hop, as well as an eclectic mix of songs from other genres that
complement the virtual hoops action.
As one of the music industry’s most
influential producers, J Dilla inspired many artists, including Common,
Q-Tip, Talib Kweli and Madlib, all of whom he had previously collaborated
with in some fashion. These artists were tapped to keep J Dilla’s legacy
alive because of their friendship and respect for this fallen talent. Now
exclusively on the NBA 2K8 soundtrack, three J Dilla tracks will feature
the lyrics of Common, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, and Madlib.
“J. Dilla was one of the industry's
greatest talents,” said Q-Tip. “This recording is reflective of his
legacy and of the wonderful body of work that he left behind.”
The in-game soundtrack to NBA 2K8
introduces today’s gamers to classic tracks from The Highlighters Band,
Ernie and The Topnotes, Billy Ball & The Upsetters, and The Fabulous
Jades. Rounding out the soundtrack are offerings from Quasimoto, Percee P,
Run-DMC, Devo, Cut Chemist, Fishbone, Stone Roses and many more.
“For the NBA 2K8 soundtrack, we wanted
to produce something diverse that bridges modern hip-hop with its rich
heritage in funk and groove,” said Tim Rosa, 2K Sports Director of Brand
and Lifestyle Marketing. “In addition to showcasing some of J Dilla’s
finest and unreleased cuts with marquee artists like Common, Talib Kweli
and Q-Tip, we’ve included a diverse group of artists whose music really
captures the spirit of the game.”
Track listing:
· J Dilla feat. Madlib “The Official
(2K8 Mix)”
· J Dilla feat. Q-Tip & Talib Kweli
“Lightworks”
· J Dilla feat. Common “E=MC2”
· Run-DMC “Sucka MC's”
· Stone Roses “Fool's Gold”
· Breakestra “Getcho Soul Together
Pt. 2”
· Fishbone “Skankin to the Beat”
· Tommy Guerrero “Molotov Telegram”
· Percee P “Throwback Rap Attack”
· Quasimoto “Chrome Dreams”
· Devo “Through Being Cool”
· Quantic “When You're Through”
· J. Rocc “Cold Heat Megamix”
· Cut Chemist “Bunky's Pick”
· Billy Ball & The Upsetters “Tighten
Up Tighter”
· The Highlighters Band “Funky 16
Corners”
· A Guy Called Gerald “Hurry to Go
Easy”
· Sonic Trip “Energy Play”
· Baron Zen “Turn Around (Peanut
Butter Wolf Instrumental Mix)”
· Finley Quaye “Ultra Stimulation”
· G-Love & Special Sauce “Shooting
Hoops”
· Ernie & The Topnotes “Dap Walk”
· The Fabulous Jades “Cold Heat”
NBA 2K8 is rated E for Everyone and will
be available October 2, 2007 for the Xbox 360™ video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer
entertainment system and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. NBA
2K8 features exciting all-new play modes, defensive mechanics, off-ball
controls, a radically improved franchise mode and an impressive set of
other updated features.
For more game information, log onto
www.2ksports.com/games/nba2k8/
