Redwood City, Calif. – Tuesday, September 12, 2006 – The golden age of console hockey returns! Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that the NHL® 07 videogame ships to retailers in North America today under the EA SPORTS™ brand. In stores just in time for the opening of NHL training camps, NHL 07 allows players to feel like they can play like a pro without ever touching the ice.
Featuring an unmatched level of freedom and control, NHL 07 represents a watershed moment in the history of the console hockey. The revolutionary EA SPORTS Skill Stick gives users the power to play in the game as it is on the ice, without taking their thumbs off the analog sticks. The left analog functions as your skates and the right as your hockey stick to give you a skill-based execution with an intuitive feel.
Stunning new presentation, AI enhancements and animation overhauls create players who look, act and play like they would in the NHL. Gone are the days when a one-timer was the only way to score in a hockey videogame. Now look to your teammates and know how to best use their strengths with New Player-Specific Behaviors. Be the Playmaker and find your Sniper open in the slot, or let your Dangler make pylons out of the defense.
Off the ice, act as the General Manager in an enhanced Dynasty Mode™. Do whatever it takes to meet an owner’s expectations by properly managing rosters and using your creativity to fit player salaries under the new cap. Whether you’re running the front office or dominating the rink, NHL 07 is the most realistic hockey video game ever created.
Los Angeles (August 22, 2006) – Giving gamers the chance to play doctors and nurses, Codemasters today announced the signing of Hospital Tycoon, an original PC title from development studio Deep Red Games (Monopoly Tycoon, Vega$: Make It Big!, Tycoon City: New York).
Set for a spring 2007 launch, Hospital Tycoon is a medical-themed God game in which players are put in charge of hectic hospital facilities that are constantly on the verge of crisis and collapse. Players are challenged to run, maintain, enhance and expand the hospitals while turning any chaotic situation around using ingenious management techniques.
The most infectious thing about Hospital Tycoon is its humor as players experience how the game’s characters – the doctors, nurses and patients – interact with each other and react to how well the player is running each hospital. The game’s high level of character interaction will create a living hospital that’s part soap opera and part comedy.
A move away from micro-management life-simulation games, Hospital Tycoon will create emerging situations that are as entertaining as they are challenging. The manic medical teams have to deal with patients suffering from the most peculiar ailments, such as the man afflicted with ‘Monkey Nuts’ and the office worker diagnosed with Stress Zombosis, and set about curing them with equally odd treatments.
“Hospital Tycoon promises to be great fun, and continues Deep Red’s drive to fuse the established core gameplay of our previous Tycoon games with richer and deeper character simulation,” said Steve Beverley, project leader at Deep Red Games.
“With Hospital we’ve added a generous helping of widely-appealing humor and a kind of soap-opera format too. The game is designed for play either as a sandbox toy, making it accessible to a wider audience, or with structured challenges appealing to core gamers,” added Beverley. “Whichever way it’s played, it’ll be accessible, funny, visually gorgeous, and offer depth for those that want to dig for it.”
Players will direct the hospital’s medical staff, ensure patients are cared for and have the treatment facilities required. There’s also the upkeep of each hospital to control and develop; dedicated areas can be built to support additional medical needs – surgery, diagnosis, physiotherapy and more. Get it right and patients will go home happy, get it wrong and armies of angry, sick people will make everyone’s life hell.
The game’s rich visual design will deliver detailed, comedic representations of the patients’ bizarre diseases. The more patients that are cured, the more player’s medical empire can grow and flourish, but watch out for the spread of infectious conditions, or soon an epidemic could plunge the hospital into absolute chaos.
SANTA CLARA, Calif., (August 22, 2006) – Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that Pac-Man World Rally™ has shipped and is available in retail outlets nationwide for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Nintendo GameCube™ and PC.
Developed by Smart Bomb Interactive, Pac-Man World Rally puts players behind the wheel to race through a variety of Pac-Man World environments as Pac-Man®, Jr. Pac-Man and other famous Namco characters such as Mr. Driller®, Mappy® and the Prince from Katamari Damacy™. In the fastest and most exciting kart racing game ever, players can race for the win or fight it out in colorful Battle Arenas with unique weapons, power-ups and a variety of Pac-Man powers. The newest installment in the franchise also includes the villains of Pac-Man World: Toc-Man, Spooky, Erwin – and introduces the most evil of them all, Pac-Devil!
“Pac-Man World Rally gives fans of all ages the opportunity to enjoy the franchise’s first-ever kart racer,” said John Whitmore, Director of Internal/External Development at NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. “The game’s roster of popular classic characters, challenging tracks and finely tuned power sliding mechanics are sure to deliver an unforgettable gameplay experience.”
Players will experience an unprecedented sense of speed as they race against their friends or the computer on fun and exciting new tracks with unique new kart racing features, including:
* Play as Pac-Man and other famous Namco characters! – Play as the iconic characters from the Pac-Man universe, or choose from an all-star cast of classic Namco characters such as Pooka, Fygar, Mr. Driller and more!
* The most outrageous Battle Mode ever seen in kart racing! – Pac-Man and friends have a whole new set of weapons to duke it out in custom single-player and multiplayer Battle Arenas!
* The Pac-Mobile! – No matter what character you choose, if you eat enough Pac Dots on the track you can transform into the giant Pac-Mobile and gobble up the competition!
* Shortcuts galore! – Keep your eyes peeled for Pac-Man’s classic fruit power-ups – they open hidden Fruit Doors that will catapult you into the lead!
SAN FRANCISCO– AUGUST 23, 2006 – Today Ubisoft, one of the
world’s largest video game publishers, announced a new chapter in the
award-winning Silent Hunter® submarine simulation franchise Silent Hunter 4:
Wolves of the Pacificâ„¢. Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific will
be available for PC in the spring of 2007.
“The Silent Hunter series is a legendary franchise that
unquestionably set the standard for submarine simulations,†said Tony Key, Vice
President of Marketing at Ubisoft. “Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the
Pacific continues that tradition with its amazing graphics, authenticity
and immersive gameplay.â€
Developed by Ubisoft’s studio in Romania, Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of
the Pacific takes players to the depths of the Pacific Ocean as the
skipper of an American submarine. Immersed in this intense environment
with the help of amazing graphics and sound, players will engage in
massive battles with enemy units, manage and evolve an entire submarine crew,
and earn promotions and commendations to ensure victory in the Pacific.
Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of the Pacific features include:
• Hollywood Blockbuster Experience: Lifelike graphics and spectacular
audio/visual effects offer an incredibly immersive gaming experience.
• Innovative Crew Evolution: Earn upgrades and experience to help
create the most effective naval force in the Pacific Theater.
• Immersive Single-Player Gameplay: Diverse mission objectives and
events on more than 15 maps combined with unique rewards make each
campaign a unique experience.
• Addictive New Online Adversarial Mode: Join forces with up to eight
friends via LAN or four via Internet in either cooperative or
adversarial gameplay modes. Scripted and generated mission types allow for epic
online battles and unlimited replayability.
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – August 22, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that Madden NFL 07, the newest iteration of the EA SPORTS™ best-selling football franchise with the exclusive videogame license of the NFL and PLAYERS INC, is in stores everywhere today. Madden NFL 07 continues to lead with innovation and gameplay by reinventing the running game with the all-new Lead Blocker Control and the new highlight stick so you can run like the real players run. NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode comes to Madden NFL 07 this year, where you can live the life of an NFL Superstar.
Madden NFL 06¸ since its launch, has sold more than 6.5 million copies*, and was the #1 selling videogame of 2005 in North America. Madden NFL Football has become a cultural phenomenon, with more than 51 million copies sold (LTD), and the launch day becoming a holiday for many avid fans.
“Madden NFL Football has become a cultural phenomenon and, with Maddenoliday, we are honoring all the Madden gamers across the country who line up at midnight and then take off the day to play Madden NFL 07,” said Todd Sitrin, VP of marketing for EA Tiburon and EA SPORTS brand. “We continue to bring innovative changes to the game every year, and now with the improvements in the running game, Madden NFL 07 is even more authentic. You will know how it feels to be actually on the field playing with the pros.”
You now control the running game like never before with Lead Blocker Control in Madden NFL 07. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs.
NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode makes its debut in Madden NFL 07 on the Xbox 360 and is even deeper for the current generation systems. You can create and customize your own player and guide him one Sunday at a time from that position on the field for an all new way of experiencing the game. Madden NFL 07 Franchise Mode is deeper than ever before. On current generation platforms, now scout collegiate prospects with the all-new NFL Draft Scouting System and the College All-Star Game, or watch players around the NFL impact their teams with the new Franchise Player Roles feature. On Xbox 360, participate in an interactive player rehab through mini games.
For the Xbox 360 there is an all-new Mini-Camp mode where you can build up your players attributes by running him through skill-based, combine-type mini-games. In the off-season use Mini-Camp to condition players or rehab injuries to get back on the field faster. Track your career accomplishments in Franchise Mode to earn Madden Gamer Points, then risk your points against the computer or live opponents in the same room.
In its second installment on the PlayStation® Portable system, Madden NFL 07 brings you a new exclusive mini-games — return kicks, avoid tackles, and players can aim for the high score in “End 2 End.” And for the first time you can transfer an entire season in Franchise mode from your PlayStation®2 to your PSP system.
September 1 in Denver, CO is the kick off to the highly-anticipated 5th annual EA SPORTS™ Madden Challenge, played exclusively this year on the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, with a $100,000 grand prize check for the Finals winner. Void where prohibited. Eligibility Restrictions Apply. Tournament runs on published dates in each city. For additional details and Tournament Official Rules see www.maddenchallenge.com.
Entering its 17th year and with more than 51 million copies sold life to date, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon Madden NFL 07 will be available on August 22 on Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, PC (as well as www.downloader.ea.com), PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system and Game Boy® Advance. Madden NFL 07 is rated “E” (Everyone) by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $59.99 for the Xbox 360, $49.99 for the PlayStation 2 console and Xbox, $39.99 for Nintendo GameCube, PSP, and PC, $29.99 for Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. In Europe, Madden NFL 07 launches on PS2, Xbox, NDS, PC, PC Downloader August 25 and on Xbox 360 and PSP September 8. For more information check out www.madden07.com.
New York, NY – August 21, 2006 – Philips today announced the arrival of ambient intelligence in adventure gaming with the signing of an agreement with THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) as an official amBX licensee, to deliver its eagerly anticipated Broken Sword: The Angel of Death, due to be published for PC in Summer 2006.
Created by Philips, amBX technology represents a huge leap forward in the development of ambient intelligence and will revolutionize the gameplay experience by extending the gaming world out of the screen and into the real world. amBX will provide gamers with a full ‘sensory surround experience’ by empowering developers with the ability to use light, color, sound and even air flow in the real world, during gameplay.
Blending a scripting language, software engine and architecture, the amBX platform has been designed to deliver all-new player experiences through enabled devices such as LED color-controlled lights, active furniture, fans, heaters, audio and video, all placed strategically around a player’s room.
“With Philips’ amBX system we can create a Broken Sword game that is not only emotionally engaging but also a visual experience that is both dramatic and very unique,” said Mickey Torode, senior global brand manager, THQ Inc. “Philips has been extremely supportive not only with the development of the game, but also in providing THQ the resources and technology to demonstrate the game alongside the new technology for our key partners.”
Broken Sword: The Angel of Death is the fourth release in the award-winning adventure series from Revolution Software and Sumo and is the perfect vehicle to showcase the level and sophistication of ambient intelligence that amBX offers the adventure gaming market.
THQ and amBX/2
“Angel of Death is an ideal game to pioneer our agreement with THQ – innovative, and atmospheric with a strong narrative drive – but it really is just the beginning,” commented Jo Cooke, chief marketing officer for Philips amBX. “THQ’s profound understanding of the market and the strength in depth of its games portfolio will, I’m sure, enable the company to get some stunning results integrating amBX in its games.”
The potential of amBX doesn’t stop at adventure gaming and Philips is currently in the closing stages of agreements with a number of leading computer games developers, publishers and peripheral manufacturers regarding amBX-enabling games and devices.
SAN FRANCISCO – August 1, 2006 – Have a sweet tooth for casual games? Leading publisher PlayFirst has the perfect fix: Sweetopia™, the new downloadable game from the artfully-innovative developer PiEyeGames. Launching today on PlayFirst.com, Sweetopia delivers a sure-fire sugar rush, taking players on a fast-paced, candy-popping adventure through a mysterious, labyrinthine candy factory.
“Sweetopia is packed with plenty of candy-blasting action, mouth-watering visuals and delectable audio to satisfy any casual game craving,” said Kenny Dinkin, vice president and executive producer, PlayFirst. “We’re thrilled to indulge PlayFirst’s community of players with this beautifully done title and add it to our growing portfolio of top-notch casual games.”
In the game, players join Kate and her sidekick, John, as they prepare for the grand reopening of the mysterious and magical Sweetopia Candy Factory following a 20 year closure. But suddenly something in the factory goes dreadfully awry! Sweetopia’s latest sweet sensation becomes a candy catastrophe – a bad batch of Sherbet Sizzlers has explosive potential! To stop the volatile Sherbet Sizzlers from colliding, players must help Kate blast away crazy confections, like Banana Bangs and Marshmallow Melts, to safely return her beloved candy factory to the Sweetopia it once was.
Now available on PlayFirst.com, Sweetopia is free to try for 60 minutes or purchase for $19.95. To download Sweetopia, please visit http://www.playfirst.com/game/sweetopia.
Huntington Beach, California – August 9, 2006 – Zero G Games is happy to announce that they have completed development of Yahoo! Chess, which is now live on Yahoo! Games, the leading game portal for casual games. Yahoo! Chess is a multiplayer, cross-platform, game, allowing players on either a PC or mobile phone to play together. The large community of chess players on the Yahoo! network will make it easy to find the perfect opponent, regardless of the player’s skill level or device used for access. Zero G Games developed the PC game in Flash and this is the first instance of the use of Flash in a multiplayer game on the Yahoo! network. In addition, Zero G is continuing development on an interactive TV offering of chess, which will be fully integrated with both the web and the mobile versions.
“Zero G Games did a wonderful job with a complex product, and we are extremely pleased to offer flash Chess to our extensive game community,” said Cynthia Woll, executive producer, Yahoo! Games. “They are skilled at all aspects of multiplayer game technology, and they have the know-how to create compelling applications.
Zero G Games is a recognizable leader in Flash and web game development. From building online game brands to introducing new functionality for a client’s product, Zero G Games provides award-winning design, user interface, and technology solutions for both web and television.
“Yahoo! is the most popular game destination on the internet and Yahoo! Chess is recognized globally drawing gamers from all corners of the world,” said Mark Lowe, CEO of Zero G Games. “We are thrilled to have worked with Yahoo! to launch this game and believe it will be a huge success for their Games property.”
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (August 8th, 2006) – SEGA Europe Ltd and SEGA of America Inc., are proud to announce NHL™: Eastside Hockey Manager™ 2007 for the PC and Mac. Developed by Sports Interactive, creators of the acclaimed Football Manager™ series, NHL™: Eastside Hockey Manager™ 2007 will be available exclusively via digital download from www.eastsidehockeymanager.net from September 22nd 2006 across Europe and America.
NHL™: Eastside Hockey Manager™ 2007 is an authentic ice hockey management game which offers an enhanced simulation experience and a brand new 2D game engine, bringing you even closer to the action of each nail biting game. New tactical settings now give you even greater control over your side’s playing style, with a plethora of additional options.
Will you take advantage of new tactical options for breakouts, forechecking and implementing zone systems to steer your franchise to Stanley Cup™ glory? Or will you place your faith in your designated playmakers and face-off takers to carry your team to World Championship victory?
“With over 20 playable leagues and a comprehensive player and team database, NHL™: Eastside Hockey Manager™ 2007 is an ideal way for you to prepare for your fantasy hockey season”, commented Marc Duffy of Sports Interactive. “We’re incredibly keen to ensure that as many hockey fans as possible have access to the game, which is why we are delighted to make the game available via digital download.”
Sports Interactive has been working to create a new and improved look and feel to the 2007 edition, with a new cutting edge interface to make navigation far simpler. NHL™ Eastside Hockey Manager™ 2007 allows you to manage your own franchise in leagues from around the world, including the NHL, AHL, DEL and Swedish leagues.
The database has been vastly expanded since last year, now boasting an incredible 45,000 players and staff at your disposal, with a shot stopping total of 3,000 teams from around the globe!
Key Features:
• Fantasy draft – build your very own dream team, fantasy-hockey style
• Brand new real-time 2D engine for coaching your games and reviewing the crucial highlights
• Improved draft recommendations from your staff, allowing you to make the most of your all-important draft selections
• New tactical options and the introduction of sliders, allowing you more variations to your tactical settings, giving you more control over your side’s playing style than ever.
• More variation and detail from your staff in their scouting reports to help you find the hottest young talent
• Additional trade options and feedback now available, allowing you full control at the negotiation table
• No excuses for not balancing the books with greater salary cap control and more information on individual cap hits
New York (August 9, 2006) – Codemasters Online Gaming gives a sneak peak at the awesome mounts that players can own and ride in ArchLord, the highly-anticipated MMORPG where one player will rule the entire game world.
ArchLord features a variety of upgradeable mounts for the game’s three different races. Humans will ride around on statuesque horses, Orcs can storm in on their beastly battle rhinos and Moon Elves will endeavour to conquer the land on their mystical lion-like mounts, the trusted Albileon and Caerleon.
Players will have direct control over their mounts and enable them to travel great distances much faster than on foot. In combat, mounts make an incredible addition to your arsenal, as well as a fearsome sight for enemies to behold. Mounts can have their battle abilities and weaponry upgraded with extras such as Lances, Partisans and Langderines, legendary lance-like weapons with gruesome maiming capabilities.
If you are lucky enough to rise through the ranks to become the mighty ArchLord, there is then an awesome mount available that is unique only to the ArchLord within the game. Catch a first glimpse of this fearsome mighty beast in action in the Mount Introduction movie now available at www.archlordgame.com.
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