The demo includes the Spa circuit and two cars: the Lister Storm and Morgan Aero 8.

Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword Delayed Again
Posted by M @ 5:11 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has advised that both Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Athena Sword and the Raven Shield Gold Pack will not be releasing this week due to a delay in the ratings process.

They will now be releasing next Friday, 7th May.

Athena Sword features an all-new eight mission campaign, five new multiplayer levels, three new multiplayer game modes and seven additional real-world weapons with sound effects from the team that worked on the blockbuster Matrix film.

Alias Today
Posted by M @ 5:06 a.m. NZST

Just as Xbox Live subscribers can finally shake off the stigma of assuming an Australian identity, the Xbox and PlayStation 2 versions of Alias, the third-person action-adventure based on the popular TV show, are due to be released today. The PC CD-ROM version expected on 28th May.

Squad Assault: West Front 1.80 Update
Posted by M @ 5:02 a.m. NZST

The new v1.80 update for Eric Young's Squad Assault: West Front is now available for download.

The new v1.80 update includes improvements to vehicle animation and rate of fire as well as significant enhancements to the morale system, which now routs units less frequently and allows them to rally more quickly. The computer player benefits by reorganizing more quickly and conducts counterattacks more effectively than in previous versions.

In Squad Assault: West Front, you command troops in both the Allied and German Armies of the West Front of World War II in an immersive full 3-D continuous time environment.

Squad Assault: West Front is a re-creation of company/platoon level World War II tactical combat. Once the battle starts, the virtual soldiers you command respond "with real reactions to the combat situations around them. This psychological modeling combines with unsurpassed detail in terrain, weather, weapons, vehicles, and armor penetration".

The patch and more information can be found at http://www.squadassault.com.

D-Day 1944 Video Released
Posted by M @ 4:52 a.m. NZST

GMX Media has released more screenshots and a movie to its upcoming add-on for Microsoft's Combat Flight Sim 3, D-Day 1944: Invasion of Europe, due for release in late May.

Released in time for the 60th anniversary of the invasion, D-Day, 1944 is the work of an international team from Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. With new aircraft, new sound, new effects, new scenery and new campaigns, D-Day 1944 captures the flavor of those spring days that saw the beginning of liberation for Europe.

D-Day 1944: Invasion of Europe sports an all new dynamic campaign involving six nations: British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, and American forces in the invasion of German occupied Europe. All vital aircraft in the campaign are re-skinned with D-Day stripes, nine aircraft have all new damage and flight models, including the Mosquito FB VI, the Spitfire IXc, the Spitfire IXe, the Tempest Mk V the P51-D the P47-D, the B25-H and the B26-C. For the Germans this includes the Bf109 G10, the G14, the FW 190 A8 and the Ju88.

The Ju88 A-4 and C-6 now have correct loadouts and the explosion bug is fixed. All bomber gunners will now engage you from up to 600 meters distance. And now you can fight against troops on the ground! We've cracked the infantry code and added ground troops for Axis and Allies.

The package features new aircraft, new sounds, new troops, new skins, new scenery, new nations (Canada, Australia and New Zealand), new noseart, new bases (including ALGs), new effects, new pilots and new voices.

The single missions track the D-Day campaign battle by battle: the Allied landings and the battle for Caen; the battle for Villers-Bocage, and then the American race across the Cotentin Peninsula. The historical divisions and weapons are in place, and the map moves day by day as it did in the actual battle. But watch out.. the weather turns bad on June 18th and Allied supplies grow suddenly thin.

British pilots can elect to fly the Mosquito FB VI, Spit IXc and later the Spit IXe and P51D. American pilots can elect to fly the P47D and later with the 56th FG at Horsham St.Faith, P51D, P38J or P47M. Canadian pilots can choose from the Tempest Mk V with 274 Sqn from Newchurch, the Spit Vb with 402 Sqn, and later the Spit IXc. RNZAF pilots can elect to fly the Mosquito FB VI, Spitfire IXb, or Tempest Mk V. RAAF pilots may fly the Spitfire IXc or Tempest Mk V. Pilots can elect to fly a training package for the Tempest Mk V, the P47D, the Spitfire Vb, or the P51D prior to entry into the campaign.

Three new aircraft take to the skies. For the Canadian squadrons, the Spitfire Mk Vb. This Spitfire was considered by some veterans as the best of all time, using the wing of the earlier Spitfire but with the horsepower and firepower of the later Mk IX.

For the British campaign, a new Mosquito FB VI is included. This FB VI is the later version featuring the 1635 HP Merlin engine and four 20mm cannon for ground attack.

For the German campaign a new Focke Wulfe is modeled: the high powered D9 (Dora) interceptor. The 190 D9 was the best Focke Wulfe of the war, with a powerful engine and four powerful 20mm cannon. D-Day also includes new versions of the Bf109 G10 and the FW 190 A8 and A9, with improved damage modeling and flight modeling for all aircraft.

D-Day 1944 features 120 single missions arranged in four linear campaigns, beginning with the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. The linear campaigns are available for American, British, Canadian or New Zealand aircraft flying the P47D, Mosquito FB VI, the Tempest Mk V, or the Spitfire Mk IX respectively. The dynamic campaign allows a broader selection of aircraft, and spans 86 days with three missions per day for a total of 378 missions in this complete package.

The add-on also features enhanced sound effects for the Merlin and Packard engines, giving the aircraft more depth and thunder. New voices have been recorded for New Zealand and Australian pilots. Enhanced tracer effects are in place for all guns, bomber gunners now engage out to 650 metres, and enhanced smoke and shockwave effects are in place for most weapons. All smoke effects are improved and last longer. Fire effects are also improved, particularly for burning aircraft and flaming tanks. Shell impact effects are improved.

Effectiveness of AAA is reduced so that players flying at 150m won't be dodging flak. A new default pilot set is available to give the player improved vision, health and g-force tolerance as he enters the campaign. Even a new pilot is offered, including new rank insignia on his uniform. New help files have been designed to give access to improved aircraft briefing information while flying missions. Optional weapon file installations have been designed to improve player survival and performance, and the new aircraft even show in the interface.

New damage models are available for all aircraft, and new flight models are available for the Spitfire Vb, IXc, and IXe, the P47D, the P51D, the P38J, the Tempest Mk V, the B25-H and the B26-C. Damage resolution is improved for all aircraft.

New scenery has been added in the form of new trees and buildings. Improved resolution enhances these objects, and the scenery sheets have been reset to improve the use of scenery while reducing flicker.

Extensive documentation includes detailed information on the Spitfire Vb, the P47D Thunderbolt, the P51D Mustang and the deHavilland Mosquito. PDF documents include a detailed history of the Normandy Invasion, a ground attack briefing, and a tutorial on configuring CFS 3 for best performance.

More information can be found here. In-game movie footage can be found here.

Auto Modellista US Tuned Cancelled
Posted by M @ 4:52 a.m. NZST

THQ has announced it has cancelled the release of Automodellista US Tuned (Xbox Live enabled) for New Zealand. No information is available as to the reasons for the cancellation.

Ninja Gaiden Release Update
Posted by M @ 4:52 a.m. NZST


Microsoft NZ has advised that the cutting-edge Xbox action game, Ninja Gaiden, is expected to be released in New Zealand on 19th May.

GPstore is giving Halo II calendars with pre-orders of the acclaimed title. Check out Gameplanet's hands-on preview for more information of Ninja Gaiden.

RalliSport Challenge II (Xbox) Release Date
Posted by M @ 4:51 a.m. NZST

Microsoft has advised that Rallisport Challenge II, the highly anticipated second installment in the critically acclaimed RalliSport Challenge franchise, is now scheduled to be released in New Zealand on May 19th. The game will be the first racing title in the XSN Sports range and will include Xbox Live support as well as the ability to set up leagues and tournaments using XSNsports.com.

Silent Hunter 3 Video, Screenshots
Posted by @ 4:33 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has given naval sim fans a glimps into the world of Silent Hunter 3 with the first official trailer. The 14 MB clip shows an attack run by a U-boat on a convoy, and shows off some of the awesome effects and damage modelling that will accompany the third Silent Hunter simulation when it is released around October. Visit the official site for the trailer and also a host of new screenshots.

New Dragon Ball Z Lineup
Posted by M @ 4:33 a.m. NZST

Atari has announced its DBZ lineup for 2004. The two titles, Dragon Ball Z? Budokai 3 for the PlayStation 2 and Dragon Ball Z? Supersonic Warriors for Game Boy Advance, find Goku?and his fellow Z-Warriors in a new realm of challenges and missions.

"Right from the start, our main aim was to create a faithful Dragon Ball Z video game experience," said Martin Spiess, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Atari Europe. "By working closely with Bandai throughout and hitting the high standards the franchise demands, we have seen the fan base grow beyond the hardcore Dragon Ball Z audience. With an incredibly strong 2004 product lineup on the way, it's a trend that looks set to continue."

"Atari's work to date has established Dragon Ball Z as a very significant franchise within the interactive entertainment industry. What most of our fans want are games that not only satisfy their devotion to the Dragonball Z universe, but also offer a great gameplay experience in their own right," said Naoki Eguchi of Bandai Europe. "Atari's skills in these areas means it is uniquely placed as a company to bring these elements together, and as a result continues to release fantastic DBZ games."

For additional information on Dragon Ball Z video games, visit www.dbz-videogames.com.

Garfield Game Announced
Posted by @ 4:32 a.m. NZST

If you love the quick-witted fat cat and also share his love for lasagne and hate for Mondays, you'll be pleased to hear that Hip Interactive are bringing Garfield to Playstation 2 and PC, just before the release of the live action movie based on the famous feline.

The game brings to life Garfield's universe, complete with comical capers that fans adore. It will also take full advantage of a number of new DVD releases and other key events leading up to its release.

"Everyone at Hip is excited to be working on a game with such a well known and well loved character as Garfield", said Hip's Olivier Goulon, "Garfield is a leading franchise and our game's cachet will benefit this year from the concurrent release of the movie."

"Seeing Garfield as an interactive 3D character is extremely captivating", said Garfield's creator, Jim Davis. " We are confident that Hip's know-how will provide for a great Garfield experience for gamers of all ages".

With the continued success of the comic books, the cartoon, the upcoming movie and now the videogames, Garfield has never been as active on all media.

Ignition Entertainment has advised the GameCube version of the budget-priced Archer Maclean's Pool Paradise will be released this month.

The GameCube iteration was originally intended for release alongside its PlayStation 2 and PC counterparts. However, the minor slip is the result of some last-minute fine-tuning to ensure that the Cube version "truly shines".

"Players can enjoy the super-realistic physics and intuitive control system, across 12 different varieties of pool, on realistic or stunt tables if they desire. A cavalcade of unlockables ensure that playing pool never tires, and if it did, well, beachside potters can try their hand at the various sub-games including Darts, Skee Pool or the arcade classic Dropzone, which are hidden throughout the island.

"Although we had promised this version a little earlier, we're sure that the time taken to finely hone our product will be appreciated by all who play it," says Peter Rollinson, Product Manager, Ignition Entertainment. "We're grateful for the patience shown by those waiting for the GameCube version and can promise them they will not be disappointed."

Climax to Develop Crash 'n' Burn
Posted by M @ 10:30 p.m. NZST

Eidos has signed a development deal with acclaimed developer Climax for Crash 'n' Burn, the arcade driving game for PlayStation 2 and Xbox due for release next Spring.

Crash 'n' Burn is a racing game where the focus is on aggressive and dangerous driving. The game features online support for 16 players and will be Eidos's first online console game. Crash 'n' Burn will be showcased on the Eidos stand at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3).

Dave Rose, European development director of Eidos says: "Based on their renowned expertise and previous successes, Climax was the ideal choice for this project. Climax has a proven track record in developing quality driving games and a great understanding of what makes a compelling online console experience."

Tony Beckwith, managing director of Climax says: "We've been able to use the technology and expertise gained from driving games like the MotoGP series to allow us to focus strongly on gameplay, and we think the results are going to resonate with gamers. The driving genre has become very predictable and conservative over recent years and creating a new brand has given us the opportunity to understand what made us love vehicle-based games in the first place."

V8 Supercars Released Early for PC
Posted by M @ 10:20 p.m. NZST

The PC DVD-ROM version of V8 Supercars 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator has released this week ahead of the Pukekohe round of the V8 circuit.

V8 Supercars 2 features completely updated 2003 V8 content including the system, qualifying, shootouts, fuel and pit stops, current race formats and updated 2003 rules. The game also sports a completely new physics model, deformation damage system, graphics engine and AI.

There's also a whole lot of other vehicles to race, from open-wheelers to stock cars to trucks and touring cars.

Fight Night Tonight
Posted by M @ 9:53 p.m. NZST

Fight Night 2004 has released today on PS2 and Xbox.

The innovative boxing game is a completely re-built game from the skeleton of EA's Knockout Kings franchise. Using the right analogue stick to perform punches replaces the bulk of button commands, while the left control stick is used for footwork and body positioning. From what we've played it's a heap of fun and highly addictive.

Prepare to be knocked off your feet. With over 32 licensed boxers, Fight Night 2004 is the most authentic boxing experience to date, sporting a dramatic new-school attitude, a dynamic new cinematic approach, and revolutionary boxing gameplay.

Monaco Corporation has told Gameplanet Acclaim's World Championship Rugby will have a new name this week. While we can't reveal further details at this stage, the new name may be made public as early as tomorrow.

The news comes amidst indications of a slight delay in the game's release, possibly to the end of May. We'll have more news as soon as possible.

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Project Zero 2 (PS2) Cancelled
Posted by M @ 10:15 a.m. NZST

Monaco Corporation has advised that Project Zero 2: Crimson Butterfly will not be released in New Zealand. The game needed to be rated by the OFLC to be released locally and due to the significant cost of this process (and apprently the lack of orders), the distributors have decided not to release the game here.

Gameplanet labelled the original Project Zero the scariest game of all time, though we can't imagine any likely problems with the OFLC. The Project Zero franchise is known as Fatal Frame in some countries.

CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect
Posted by M @ 1:30 a.m. NZST

Hip Games has announced today the arrival on PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC of its counter-terrorist franchise: CT Special Forces.

CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect will feature unique missions in the fight against worldwide terrorist networks. The game also benefits from a cutting-edge engine as well as a specific physics system.

For the first time in this genre, physics will have a major impact on how you play the game. More details will be unveiled in the upcoming weeks leading to E3.

In spite of being a totally new gameplay experience, Fire for Effect stays true to the franchise values through non-stop action, varied gameplay sequences and of course several characters to choose from offering distinctive abilities, vehicles and equipment.

"We want to offer gamers a genuinely varied experience, as they had in previous CT Special Forces titles, through making it a high-end title with a realistic feel. The importance of physics and the amazing new gadgets available to the player are our core focus in this development", said Development Director, Graeme Boxall. "The quality that will be shown at E3 is the guarantee that we have a future hit on our hands."

CT Special Forces: Fire for Effect is scheduled for release beginning of 2005.

Sega SuperStars for EyeToy
Posted by M @ 1:23 a.m. NZST

New camera-based game for EyeToy to be previewed at E3 2004

Sega today announced the development of Sega SuperStars, a new EyeToy game the PlayStation 2. The new game, which will feature a collection of Sega's best-known properties, is due to be previewed with selected teaser levels at the forthcoming E3 2004 Expo, May 12-14, Los Angeles.

Sega SuperStars, currently in development at Sonic Team, will leverage the camera control-method featured in EyeToy to bring a new level of interactivity to the company's core brands such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Samba de Amigo, Virtua Fighter and more. Sega SuperStars is due for a global release towards late 2004.

Yuji Naka, President, SonicTeam, commented, "EyeToy is a whole new way of interfacing with a game and in this respect, a very interesting proposition for a game developer. I think there are many creative ways we'll be able to use the camera with great potential for fun. It's great to have the opportunity to reach a wider audience through a new system like this."

Matthew Woodley, European Marketing Director, Sega Europe Ltd, commented "EyeToy is such a perfect way of engaging a broader base of consumers in a very social, fun style of gaming. With a huge portfolio of recognisable IP, and popularity with diverse groups of gamers, we're really excited to be able to revitalize some of our greatest stars using this great new technology."

Empire Earth 2 Announced
Posted by M @ 1:10 a.m. NZST

Award-winning RTS formula refined in sequel

Vivendi Universal Games today announced development of Empire Earth 2, the ambitious sequel to GameSpy.com's 2001 PC Game of the Year, Empire Earth. Developed by Mad Doc Software and due for release in the first half of 2005, Empire Earth 2 will build upon the award-winning formula of its predecessor by adding features requested both by casual game players interested in a brief spin through history and by more hard core gamers who demand a real-time strategy game that will challenge them for dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.

More information about Empire Earth 2 can be found at http://www.empireearth.com.

"Empire Earth was a tremendous worldwide success for us, but we aren't resting on our laurels for Empire Earth 2," said Michael Pole, VU Games' Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Studios. "We are going to great lengths to ensure that the sequel is in every way a worthy successor that builds upon the Empire Earth franchise."

Empire Earth 2 will build upon the success of its predecessor by adding unique units, powers, leaders, and inherent bonuses to all of the game's 14 different civilizations. Cities, territories, and borders in Empire Earth 2, often treated as "eye candy" in other real-time strategy games, will factor into game play and be treated as tradable resources much like they are in the real world. The game's artificial intelligence will be more reactive, dynamic, and variable than its predecessor's, able to adapt to human opponents in ways that are more engaging for the player. And, for the first time in the series, ambient weather and seasons like fog and snowfall will affect game play, forcing players to adapt their strategies to the changing environment.

In addition, significant focus has been placed on casual gamers who often become frustrated by difficult and arcane videogame features. Empire Earth 2's citizen manager system simplifies the player's job of assigning citizens to movement and harvesting tasks. A new, more intelligent formation system will offer attack bonuses, allow for easier navigation across maps, and reduce the occurrence of "furball combat," an unfortunately common and confusing real-time strategy game element that can frustrate gamers. And the game's streamlined research system better mimics the actual development of technology and alleviates the need to micro-manage the game during heated combat.

The game's new Crown System will provide temporary, but potent, rewards for players who demonstrate excellent military, economic, imperialistic, or cultural ability. A war planning screen will help teammates coordinate their efforts by allowing them to use a map of the world to diagram troop movements. Multiplayer competition will feature nine different game types, including new additions to the series such as hot spots, which forces gamers to capture and hold positions of strategic importance. Lastly, Empire Earth 2 will include popular player-requested features like recorded games, improved tournament support, multiplayer co-operative scenarios, and advanced statistics reporting.

In the Empire Earth series, gamers can become the greatest conqueror of all time by creating, building, and leading a civilization to transcend the ages. From the discovery of fire, to flight, to the technological frontiers of the future, Empire Earth 2 will serve up gaming on an epic scale. Each player will take control of a fledgling civilization and strive to forge the greatest of all empires.

Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots Trial Version Now Available
Posted by M @ 1:02 a.m. NZST

Microsoft Game Studios' Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots trial version is now available from the game's official site. The expansion pack will hit NZ stores on 21st May.

In the trial version, gamers can choose between four nations: the Persians from the expansion pack, and three others from the original game. Players will be able to play through the tutorial and then get a taste of the Alexander the Great campaign, one of four historical campaigns in the retail version. Gamers will also be able to try their hand on the battlefield on one of three different random map types. This stand-alone trial version does not require gamers to own the original retail version of Rise of Nations.

Developed by Brian Reynolds and Big Huge Games, Thrones and Patriots adds the Americans, Persians and four other new nations as well as four new historical single player campaigns, including Napoleon and the Cold War. The expansion adds more than 20 new units, such as massive Persian war elephants and US Marines.

Players will also be able to build new strategic wonders and create governments for their nation. After creating a government, any nation, old or new, can choose exactly how to be governed, which has far-reaching effects on how units perform in various situations. The all-new single player campaigns will allow gamers to control the course of history during historical events that changed the world.

Backyard Wrestling Goes Worldwide
Posted by M @ 12:44 a.m. NZST

Cult wrestling goes online

Eidos is returning to the world of extreme wrestling with Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood. The sequel to the genre-busting phenomenon Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This At Home is being developed by Paradox and will be available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in Q3.

Backyard Wrestling 2 boasts an extensive list of new features including online play, a completely revamped wrestling and animation system and massively improved graphics. The implementation of the new 'Enviro-Mental' engine delivers an unprecedented level of interaction with environments, objects and non-player characters. Standing and ground-based submissions, multi-position grappling, a block button and an improved body part specific damage system all add to the carnage!

Players will battle through both an enhanced single player experience, complete with death matches and a "quest for the belt" mode, or the ever popular, greatly expanded multi-player scenarios. The addition of online gameplay places the mayhem of BYW2 directly in your living room. Talk trash straight to your opponent using the USB Headset and establish yourself as the number one wrestler with the complete online ladder bracketing system. The list of licensed backyard brawlers has grown immensely, including stars from the explosive home video series, as well as some of the craziest pro wrestlers to ever set foot in a ring. The completely redesigned "create-a-wrestler" system allows gamers to create their own alter-ego including tattoos, face paint, customised clothing, and more!

Kevin Gill, brand manager at Eidos says: "Harnessing the power of the 'Enviro-Mental' gameplay engine, Backyard Wrestling 2 will continue blazing the trail of unprecedented environmental interaction and over the top violence. The inclusion of online play will finally allow gamers to deliver pain to opponents from around the world. With its completely re-designed and expanded "create-a-wrestler" system, an impressive new grappling system, more diverse move-set, solid hardcore soundtrack, and online play, BYW2 offers the complete wrestling package."

Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood places gamers deep in the heart of small-town America. Backyard Wrestling Inc. has announced "your town" as the location of its first live pay per view. They've put a million dollars cash prize on the line for the wrestler who's got what it takes to destroy every obstacle in their way to the main event and ultimately the unified BYW championship.

Defeating the most hardcore backyard wrestlers will not be enough; as the lure of "easy money" has attracted the attention of the most violent professional wrestlers to ever set foot in a ring. When hardcore backyard brawlers, chair swinging backyard babes and blood thirsty professional wrestlers choose your town as their battlefield.

Features:

• Fight it out online. Taunt your opponent using the USB Headset and establish yourself as the number one wrestler in the online ranking system.
• New 'Enviro-Mental' gameplay engine delivers unprecedented environmental and NPC interaction, as well as vastly improved graphics and damage systems.
• Robust and greatly enhanced 'Create-A-Wrestler' system allows unprecedented freedom in defining the look, style, accessories, body type and move sets! In-game graphics editor lets the player create and edit any design, tattoo, face paint or text, and place it anywhere on the character's body.
• New wrestling system now includes submission holds, body part specific damage, and a defense system.
• Kicking soundtrack featuring some of the greatest Rock, Metal, Punk, Hip-Hop and Electronic artists.
• Enhanced single player experience complete with re-built levels and a "quest for the belt" mode offers more gameplay depth and more replay value.

Account Splitting for Dark Age of Camelot
Posted by M @ 12:22 a.m. NZST

New feature allows players to separate characters into different accounts

From today, Mythic Entertainment's flagship massively multiplayer game Dark Age of Camelot is now offering a new service to subscribers. Known to players as account splitting, it allows players to transfer one or more characters from an existing account to a new account. Because separate characters on one account cannot be played simultaneously, households that share accounts often want to move a character to a new account so the two characters can adventure together.

"Roommates, spouses, and friends often bring new players to the game by temporarily sharing accounts," said Matt Firor, Vice President of Development and Executive Producer at Mythic Entertainment. "Up until now, these new players had no way to move their characters from their friend's account to a new account of their own. They were forced to create a new character from scratch once they got their own account. Now, with our new splitting feature, Camelot fans can move their characters to a new account and keep playing the same character."

However, the move is costly. US$40 is charged per account split, allowing customers to move up to four characters from an established account to a brand new account, as long as the characters remain on the same server. Standard subscription fees for the old and new accounts will also apply.

Full-Motion Fighting for PS2
Posted by M @ 12:00 a.m. NZST

No, it's not another Eye Toy, it's the 'Venom Combat Zone Interactive Action Arena.'

Combat Zone enables your body movements to control fighting game characters in your favourate beat 'em ups. Four wireless strap on sensors and a unique action arena mat detect your physical moves, even when in the air, and translates them to on-screen action.

To use Combat Zone simply plug the mat into the controller port of your PS2 console, strap on the 4 RF Body Sensors to your wrists and ankles and switch them on. The mat is used to control basic functions like forward and backward motion, while the wrist and ankle sensors (developed by a missile guidance system technician) use state-of-the-art technology to measure the direction and force of your punches and kicks. When you punch, your fighter punches. When you kick, your fighter kicks. And when you jump, your fighter jumps.

Venom says Combat Zone delivers the ultimate in physical workouts when used aggressively.

The Venom Combat Zone Interactive Action Arena is compatible with most PS2 fighting games and is already on sale overseas.

At this stage ShellShock: Nam '67 is due for release in June 2004.

Hong Kong Expansion for Flight Simulator 2004
Posted by M @ 11:46 p.m. NZST

European publisher PointSoft has recreated aerial imagery of Hong Kong in a new expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight, the first ever of its kind.

Hong Kong 2004 is due for release early next month and includes over 1000 buildings, landmarks, shops and detailed street level action. 'LIVE' Real ATC direct from Hong Kong has also been added making Hong Kong the most detailed video-realistic scenery ever in the history of Microsoft Flight Simulator, according to the developers.

Hong Kong contains unique and breathtaking imagery from the sky as the country is not only one of the most prosperous, modern and up-to-date trading and business centres in the world it also mixes traditional eastern life styles.

Features include:

• Unparalleled Kai Tak Airport details including the checkerboard and its approach to runway 13
• Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and New Territories in supreme detail. Hundreds of buildings, temples, signs and street level activities depicted with stunning realism
• Victoria Harbour filled with fish farms, junk farms, Star ferries, sampans and ships
• 70 flights to help to discover all parts of this incredible Video Realistic Scenery of Hong Kong
• Visit Nathan Road, Victoria Peak, or the giant sitting Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery on Lantao Island
• Day and Night approaches
• All famous landmarks, buildings, signs and hotels of Hong Kong including Bank of China, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banks, Jardine House, NEC, Toshiba, Citizen, Lippo Centre, Central Plaza and many more
• Hong Kong also includes a bonus feature where players are placed inside the cockpit of a Learjet on final approach in to Kai Tak Airport during a massive monsoon storm and the infamous Typhoon 'Willie.'
• PointSoft's Hong Kong was recently featured in the BBC Television Special on Flight Simulation which aired throughout Europe and was viewable live on the BBC World Television website for an entire week it was also winner of Computer Bild magazine's best add-on award.

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Deadlands Franchise for PC, Xbox, PS2 in 2005
Posted by M @ 11:33 p.m. NZST

Award-winning Deadlands franchise rides into town on PS2, Xbox and PC.

Headfirst Productions has begun developing the first title in a series of games based on the world of Deadlands, the multi-award winning RPG from Pinnacle Entertainment Group.

Headfirst has secured exclusive, worldwide rights to create interactive entertainment titles based around the property and its plethora of expansions. Deadlands, scheduled to be completed on all platfoms in Summer 2005, will be the first title available in this new franchise.

Using multi-platform, "ground breaking" game creation technology produced over the last two years and funded by significant external investment, Headfirst says it is now in an excellent position to develop a range of first class, multi-SKU products over the next few years.

"With the acquisition of Deadlands (www.headfirst.co.uk/deadlands) in addition to our Call of Cthulhu IP, Headfirst have taken another major step towards our long term objectives," said Mike Woodroffe, Managing Director, Headfirst Productions "The world of Deadlands represents ideal content to show off our new technology."

More Classics From Midway
Posted by t()mbst()ne @ 9:03 p.m. NZST

Midway Games, a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, today announced Midway Arcade Treasures 2, a compilation of classic Midway arcade games together on one disk. The sequel to the successful 2003 launch of Midway Arcade Treasures, Midway Arcade Treasures 2 is currently in development and scheduled to ship Q4, 2004 for the PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox^® videogame console.

Midway Arcade Treasures 2 features hundreds of hours of classic gameplay action from all-time arcade favorites including the blood-spurting intensity of Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat^® II and Mortal Kombat^® 3, the multiplayer collaboration of Gauntlet^® 2, the drug-busting adventure of NARC and the no-holds-barred street fighting action of Pit Fighter^TM, just to name a few.

With Midway Arcade Treasures 2, gamers will have the option of enjoying their favorite games in one-to-four-player game formats, depending on the title, and will experience a collection of classic titles that represent a fresh, new era in gaming relative to other "classic" game compilations. The bonus DVD content in the game will also feature several classic video montages of original commercials, launch trailers and making of the game videos for several of the classic arcade titles included on the disk.

Other confirmed games on the disc inclue A.P.B., Arch Rivals, Championship Sprint, Cyberball 2072, Hard Drivin', Primal Rage, Rampage World Tour, Spy Hunter^® 2, Steel Talons, STUN Runner, Timber, Total Carnage, Wizard of Wor, Xenophobe, Xybots.

Doom III Exclusive Co-op Mode For Xbox Live
Posted by t()mbst()ne @ 3:35 a.m. NZST

The Xbox version of Doom III currently in development at Vicarious Visions will feature co-operative online play via Xbox Live, according to word coming out of an Activision press event in California today.

Last month, Vicarious Visions CEO Karthik Bala revealed that two-player co-operative play would be one of the major additions to the Xbox version, but despite describing the game as "a showcase title for Xbox Live," the expectation was that co-operative play would be limited to split-screen and System Link options.

Interestingly, the co-operative mode - one of the most enjoyable aspects of the original Doom games - is something entirely of Vicarious Visions' design, and will not be appearing in the flagship PC version of the game in development at Id Software.

The four-player deathmatch mode, however, certainly will be. Id first demonstrated it at the developer's annual QuakeCon event last year, and it drew plenty of attention, despite Id's previous assertions that Doom III is primarily single-player focused, and won't be as much of an 'arena' title as its previous offerings in the Quake series.

Id Software supremo John Carmack recently told a crowd at the Game Developers Conference that Doom III was "really close", and publisher Activision will certainly be hoping to get it onto store shelves within the year.

The classic SNK franchises, King of Fighters and Metal Slug, will be launched during the second half of 2004 and the first half of 2005. Each of these game combos feature full versions of each game.

Lionhead B.C. Dev Chat Tomorrow
Posted by M @ 12:14 p.m. NZST

If you are interested in having a chat session with the Lionhead team working on B.C. for Xbox, this is your chance - #intrepid channel on Quakenet will host its first chat tomorrow.

The moderated chat will start at 6:30 GMT Tuesday, and there will be at least five members of the development team present at this chat. These will include Peter Molyneux and Joe Rider as well as many other members of Intrepid and Lionhead Studios. Topics have not been set. Anyone is free to ask a question and share ideas.

B.C. is an original third-person action/adventure game that hurtles players back millions of years into prehistory, to the beginnings of humankind. Members of a clan take part in an epic journey of survival, battling against ferocious, prehistoric creatures and exploring and exploiting vast natural environments. New technologies and knowledge could be just over the next rise. If humanity is to survive, the tribe needs to evolve into a thinking, resourceful unit that can rise up to become the pioneers in a primeval, unpredictable world.

• Brutal prehistoric combat. Players experience savage battles in an uncivilized, merciless era. Heads and limbs get torn off and pools of blood congeal after brutal conflicts in a violent, dangerous world where only the strong survive.
• The world is a weapon. Gamers will discover and create a multitude of deadly weapons using naturally occurring materials. Enemies can be poisoned with native plants; an avalanche can be triggered to kill predatory opponents: Interactive environments allow for multiple solutions. Any object can be picked up or used as a tool or weapon, and wild animals have the potential to be predator or prey.
• A massive prehistoric world. Players must lead their tribe through the nascent earth's deadly but beautiful environments, from ancient rainforests to underwater settings. Gamers must weather the elements, from scathing desert heat to raging tropical rainstorms and fierce mountain blizzards.
• Deadly adversaries. The tribe becomes the hunted when deadly creatures ranging from saber-toothed tigers to velociraptors defend their young or stalk tribe members for food.
• Evolution or extinction. Gamers handpick tribe members to produce babies born to be hunters, mystics, fighters or other specializations. As their experience grows and time passes, players choose the right skills and powers to enhance their characters and benefit the tribe.

Universal Boxing Manager for PC, MacIntosh
Posted by M @ 12:04 p.m. NZST

Winter Wolves Studio, creators of Universal Soccer Manager, have released their next sports manager simulation, Universal Boxing Manager. Create a custom manager by assigning skills in training, negotiation, scouting, and more. Manage up to 6 boxers in 17 weight categories, selecting from a database of over 1,000 unique boxers.

Selectively train your boxer's stats and then take them to the ring to watch each stunning blow, coaching your boxer between rounds on how to change his tactics and send your opponent to the canvas. Universal Boxing Manager is available for both Mac and PC; the free demo is available for everyone at www.winterwolves.com.

Winter Wolves Studio was founded in 2002 and is dedicated to bringing universally fun games for all types of game players. Visit www.winterwolves.com for additional information.

Karaoke Revolution Volume 2
Posted by M @ 12:01 p.m. NZST

Time Magazine's 2003 Game of the Year Returns to the PlayStation 2 with 35 new songs

Not to be confused with Sony's upcoming karaoke title SingStar, Konami's Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 is the follow-up to last year's critically-acclaimed music game, which will hit the stage this July for the PlayStation 2. Building on the success of Karaoke Revolution's groundbreaking and innovative karaoke video game experience, this edition will feature an all-new line-up of 35 hit songs, additional characters and venues and a new Medley Mode that allows for multiplayer gameplay.

Last year's award-winning title and only interactive karaoke video game for the PlayStation 2 was praised for its innovation and gameplay as a party game for all ages. The Karaoke Revolution series of video games features a unique vocal analyzer which rates the pitch and rhythm of the player's vocals, providing the ultimate interactive karaoke experience.

Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 expands upon the original game in the series, featuring seven new characters, three new venues and more than 30 new character outfits, making it even easier for gamers to step up to the mic. Choose from a hit-filled catalogue of well-known rock, dance, pop, and R&B tunes, including songs such as "Every Breath You Take," "Friends in Low Places" and "I Will Survive."

Compatible with any PlayStation 2 headset/microphone peripheral, the game's proprietary voice recognition technology challenges players as they strive to become the next pop star. Real-time feedback is offered by the dynamic crowds that fill each virtual venue, either by booing you off the stage or cheering your every note.

In addition to the original training, arcade and karaoke modes, Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 also includes an enhanced Showtime campaign and the new Medley Mode. With this feature, players can link up to 5 song clips together in rapid fire succession for a unique twist on multi-player karaoke competition.

Like its predecessor, Karaoke Revolution Volume 2 is developed by leading music video game creator Harmonix Music Systems (http://www.harmonixmusic.com).

EA to Support Xbox Live
Posted by t()mbst()ne @ 11:34 a.m. NZST

After a drawn-out stalemate over online server controls, Electronic Arts and Microsoft are putting the final touches on a partnership enabling several EA titles to have Xbox Live support this year.

The games will apparently include American sports games Madden 2005, NCAA College Football, NASCAR Thunder 2005 and NBA Live 2005. No other confirmation has been announced as of yet regarding any other titles, but it is also expected that Battlefield 1942 and Burnout 3 will also have Xbox Live support.

Details are expected to be revealed at E3 next month. We'll have full details from the show as any announcements take place.

Microsoft recently cancelled 2004 editions of its XSN American sports titles, fuelling expectation of a pending announcement regarding Electronic Arts sooner rather than later. EA has previously complained that platform holders compete with their own sports titles, but Microsoft put the delay of its next XSN titles to 2005 down to the need to spend time to get its products to a competitive state.

Need for Speed Underground 2 is currently under development by EA Canada and is scheduled for release late in 2004 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCubeTM, PC, and Game Boy® Advance.

Click, register and win some stuff at www.18tracker.com.

New Promotions at Gameplanet
Posted by M @ 8:46 p.m. NZST

Have you noticed the new commercials available on Gameplanet? The MediaOne advertisements are a world-first technology with some cool features you can use.

The commercials are designed to be non-disruptive, and load based on a time slot, just like television, once all your website page information has already been downloaded. They sit as a ghost bar on the bottom right of your screen - you can watch and listen to the commercial, click on the linked website, rate the ad, pass it on to a friend, or do whatever you like.

There's a list of options that comes up when you click on the menu or website link on the bottom. The commercials will help fund upcoming enhancements to Gameplanet's services (as well as allowing us staff to buy firewood for Winter), so look out for some announcements soon.

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Tak 2 Announced
Posted by M @ 8:01 p.m. NZST

THQ today announced Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams, the sequel to the quirky and entertaining million-seller Tak and the Power of Juju. Tak is the first property released under THQ and Nickelodeon's ground-breaking agreement to create new cross-media intellectual properties for initial release in the videogame space with the express intent of migrating the properties to other entertainment media. Developed by Avalanche Software, Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams is scheduled to release early 2005 and will be available on the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance.

"Having just hit our million unit mark globally, we are ecstatic with the major success [or should that be power?] of Tak and anticipate that Tak 2: the Staff of Dreams will provide an intriguing epilogue to this epic interactive adventure," said Eric Doctorow, COO, THQ. "Furthermore, our relationship with Nickelodeon continues to strengthen and we're delighted that we will be collaborating with them to continue building the Tak brand."

"With the recent success of Tak and the Power of Juju, we're excited to have an opportunity to partner with THQ in order to further the Tak storyline," said Stephen Youngwood, senior vice president, Nickelodeon media products group. "The first Tak provided a compelling gameplay experience, combined with a great story filled with humour. We're confident that this next version will provide gamers with an equally engaging experience."

In the original Tak and the Power of Juju, players were introduced to a tale of good versus evil set in an ancient, tribal world where magic (juju) actually worked. An unsung hero was born as players maneuvered Tak, a young shaman's apprentice to recover moonstones stolen by the evil Tlaloc in order to save the Moon Juju and restore her powers.

Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams will continue following Tak on his adventures against evil. However, players will take on the role of a more experienced Tak as he goes on an epic adventure that will require him to learn all new Juju magic in order to recover the Nightmare Scepter and defeat the evil shaman, Tlaloc, once and for all. Players will maneuver Tak as he's armed with new Juju abilities. He will master the ancient Juju magic of the animals, allowing him to possess various creatures and turn himself into a Spirit Animal.

The sequel will also feature nine interactively designed linear environments and a returning cast of favorite characters, along with three brand new Juju gods and the introduction of Jibolba's brother, JB. Nine new Nightmare Creatures will also help to further the action. In addition, Tak will be outfitted with new Juju powered artifacts, including the powerful Dream Shaker, which affords him the power to close dream rifts.

Tak2: The Staff of Dreams will be shown for the first time at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles from May 12-14 and will be demonstrated along with several additional key titles from THQ.

Gameplanet will have more on Tak2: The Staff of Dreams direct from E3 next month.

World Championship Rugby on Display at GPstore
Posted by M @ 7:51 p.m. NZST

GPstore's retail outlet has a copy of the Xbox version of Acclaim's World Championship Rugby running for anyone who wants to have a play of the game before its release in the coming weeks. If you haven't visited the Auckland-based store before, you can find the details on the website's Contact Us page.

Everyone that pre-orders World Championship Rugby from GPstore will be in the draw to win a great prize package consisting of a Toshiba TV and a PlayStation 2 or Xbox.

If you can't get to GPstore, check out Gameplanet's hands-on preview. The Jonah Lomu Rugby team is promising to deliver everything fans of the PlayStation game are hoping for in the PS2, PC and Xbox sequel.

SingStar Debut Promises Hot Success
Posted by M @ 7:39 p.m. NZST

Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand announced today the May 21st launch of SingStar, the PlayStation 2 title that invites players to step into the spotlight and unleash their inner pop star. SingStar's technology analyses players' vocal skills based on pitch, tone and rhythm as they sing into the USB microphone, and rates singers based on their performance.

The public got its first chance to have a sneak preview of SingStar during the annual Armageddon Pulp Culture Expo in Auckland last weekend. Over 25,000 people were witness to some entertaining performances and hundreds took to the stage in front of roaring crowds to battle it out against friends to win PlayStation 2 prizes.

Wannabe pop idols of all ages and the odd celebrity guest swamped the stand, queuing for a chance to show off their singing skills. Amongst the celebrity singers were Dayna and Matt from TV2's Studio 2 who hosted the SingStar stage for an hour a day. On Sunday they brought along a surprise guest singer, none other than kiwi born international pop star Daniel Bedingfield. Daniel got up and sung his own song "If You're Not the One", reaching no less than "Super Singer" status within the game's scoring system.

SingStar is the latest innovation to come out of Studio London, the development team responsible for the critically acclaimed EyeToy, winner of dozens of innovation and technology awards throughout the world including two prestigious BAFTAs.

Steve Dykes, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment NZ commented, "We were absolutely overwhelmed by the response that SingStar received at Armageddon. Like EyeToy, this type of software takes gaming to a new level, broadening the appeal and encouraging social interaction. Stay tuned for more big news this year."

The game has an extensive track list featuring a wide variety of well-known songs from international artists including, Jamelia, Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Pink and many more. Each track is the artist's original recording and SingStar also includes original music video clips.

SingStar Track List:

* Liberty X - Just a Little * Mis-Teeq - Scandalous * The Darkness - I Believe in a Thing Called Love * A-Ha - Take on Me * Pink - Get the Party Started * Jamelia - Superstar * Motorhead - Ace of Spades * George Michael - Careless Whisper * Avril Lavigne - Complicated * Petula Clark - Downtown * Sophie Ellis Bexter - Murder on the Dancefloor * Daniel Bedingfield - If You're Not the One * Carl Douglas - Kung Fu Fighting * Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up * Westlife - World of Our Own * Ricky Martin - Livin La Vida Loca * Madonna - Like a Virgin * Roy Orbison Pretty Woman * S Club - Don't Stop Movin' * Deee-Lite - Groove is in the Heart * Sugababes - Round Round * Elvis - Suspicious Minds * Busted - Crashed the Wedding * Village People - YMCA * Good Charlotte - Girls and Boys * Blondie - Heart of Glass * Dido - Thank You * Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame * Blue - One Love * Lemar - 50/50

SingStar will carry an RRP of $99.95.

Walk Around Perimeter
Posted by M @ 7:24 p.m. NZST

As well as the Perimeter demo available now at GP downloads, Codemasters has released a walkthrough to explain how the game works. This 57MB video is available here.

You can also try several other Perimeter downloads from Codemasters besides the walkthrough and demo, including nanomorph and terraforming tactics videos.

Perimeter is scheduled for release on PC on 18th June.

Pokemon Episodes Join GBA Video
Posted by M @ 12:46 a.m. NZST

Nintendo will be joining Majesco from June in publishing children's entertainment videos on Game Boy Advance Video Paks. Each Video Pak allows up to 45 minutes of full colour video - no additional hardware purchase is required.

With an RRP of US$19.99 per Video Pak, Nintendo's Pokemon franchise will be represented initially with episodes "Playing with Fire!" and "Johto Photo Finish" on one pak and "A Hot Water Bottle" and "For Ho-Oh The Bells Toll!" on a second.

With more than 300 episodes to its credit and now in its sixth season, the Pokemon animated television series remains one of the top-three-rated shows for boys ages 6 to 11 in the US.

"Even by the remarkable standards of product evolution that have characterised the Game Boy franchise, this is a landmark event," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Pokemon is part of the first step in revolutionizing the nature of portable video entertainment, with eventual reach targeting all demographics."

Pokemon, published by Nintendo, joins previously announced animation titles published by Majesco based on Nickelodeon, 4Kids Entertainment and Cartoon Network original programmes. The first offerings will include top-rated shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, The Fairly Oddparents, Dora the Explorer and Codename: Kids Next Door, as well as franchise favourites like All Grown Up! and Sonic X. Typically, two to four full episodes of an animated series will be included on each Video Pak.

Dead Man's Hand Update
Posted by M @ 12:18 a.m. NZST

Atari has released some new downloads for the PC version of Dead Man's Hand.

Click here to access the new files.

New functionality:

6 new maps for Deathmatch/Bounty/TeamDeathmatch:

• Sawdust, a fast-paced map set in the Lenard Twins' lumber mill.
• Backlot, set on various set stages on a Dead Man's Hand movie set, where there are facades of building facades.
• OnTheTable, an oversized (literally) barroom brawl where players hide behind shot glasses and scurry along pool cues.
• Silverado, a smaller, tight level set deep in an abandoned mine.
• Prison, a larger level set in the Generalissimo's prison compound, which he uses for storing dissidents.
• Hacienda, a larger level in a moonlit Mexican town, ripe ground for roof-to-roof sniping action.

Following yesterday's news reminder of the current Xbox Live update which has seen the online service unavailable for 24 hours, Microsoft has just announced the voice message service will in fact be available this week.

"The first of a new wave of features on Xbox Live will greet subscribers when they log in... after an update this week. Gamers will be able to send voice messages with [sic] their friend and game invites [sic] to other gamers, further personalising their online gaming experience."

Additionally, game developers are currently being provided with new Live features that, when incorporated into their games, will afford gamers the following benefits:

• Teams: Gamers will be able to easily form teams and notify them of matches, strategies and even upcoming competitions.
• Competitions: Empowers gamers to easily create their own tournaments while in-game; as easy as creating, inviting and playing for all their favourite games across any game genre.
• Online Content Swapping: Title managed online storage allows gamers to create and share mottos, emblems, and custom content and create and update maps, rosters, and other environment data.
• Level Playing Field Technology: New arbitration and reliability technologies reduce players' ability to cheat online, while increasing reliability ratings for all players and penalising actions like disconnects during games.

Many of these new features are expected to debut later this year with new Xbox Live titles. By this time next month, there will be more than 70 Xbox Live-enabled titles available to consumers, the most available online titles on any video games platform.

The initial trial offer, which piggybacked off the Australian system, has been an outstanding success and Xbox Live is now ready to go pure Kiwi.

From April 29 gamers will be able to purchase a Live kit for the recommended retail price of $109.

While the Xbox Live community is growing in depth, it is also expanding in breadth as well, with launches in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico and New Zealand scheduled for next week. The Xbox Live community has nearly 750,000 subscribers and will be in 24 countries by the end of April.

Xbox Live launches its Kiwi service on 29th April 29. Xbox Live enables gamers to easily find their friends, talk to other players during gameplay through the Xbox Communicator headset, download game updates to their Xbox hard drives and play online.

Two New Games from Battlefront.com
Posted by M @ 10:05 a.m. NZST

From the makers of the award-winning Combat Mission series comes the news that they have combined talents with Dan Verssen Games to bring two classic tabletop war game series into the world of computer gaming.

The award-winning Down in Flames will be their first joint venture and is scheduled for release later this year. The computer game will stay true to its origins in both feel and flavour, while adding new features only possible with computer technology, like 3D animated planes and manoeuvres.

Down in Flames focuses on tactical fighter to fighter dogfight combat in World War II. The game is turn based, and the action is resolved through a unique 'action - reaction' game mechanic that allows players to experience the feel of real life aerial dogfighting with a fast paced, easy to learn system. The computer game will also add several exciting features that fans of the tabletop game have requested since the game's release in 1993.

The second game planned for release following the launch of Down in Flames is the classic Modern Naval Battles series. Modern Naval Battles will also stay true to its origins in depicting easy to learn, fast paced naval combat.

While the original Modern Naval Battles game took place in the cold war, the computer game series will make its premiere appearance in World War II in order to take advantage of the rich background, flavour, and history of this era. Six nations will be represented in the game: United States, United Kingdom, and France for the Allies, and Germany, Japan, and Italy for the Axis.

Unlike the original game, where ships were randomly dealt to players, in the computer game, each player will get to choose a national fleet to command.

Both Battlefront.com and Dan Verssen Games are excited about working together to bring these games into the computer gaming world and are committed to doing everything they can to reach the fans of the tabletop games as well as introducing the games to the computer gaming audience. With this goal in mind, both games will be priced for easy entry in the US$25 to US$35 price range.

As with previous Battlefront releases, free demo versions of both games will be available at the time of release for player evaluation. As with all Battlefront.com titles, the games will only be available directly online from www.battlefront.com.

Joint Operations to Feature Anti-Cheat Technology
Posted by M @ 12:30 a.m. NZST

Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising developer and publisher NovaLogic today announced that it has teamed up with Even Balance, Inc. to integrate the PunkBuster anti-cheat system into the soon to be released PC game.

NovaLogic's online titles are played worldwide via the company's own Internet gaming service, NovaWorld (www.novaworld.com).

"Joint Operations can host huge multiplayer battles online and over a LAN, so the need for strong anti-cheat measures is greater than ever," commented Joel Taubel, producer. "Combining PunkBuster and Joint Operations means that we can securely deliver vast modern combat arenas to the public."

"Set in Indonesia in the near future, Joint Ops is set to take the multiplayer community by storm. Developed using NovaLogic's enhanced Black Hawk engine, Joint Operations uses superior multiplayer technology that enables gamers to play in large scale player games online via NovaWorld."

Joint Operations: Typhoon Rising has recently slipped and is scheduled for release on 10th June.

Football Manager 2005 Logo Finalists
Posted by M @ 12:21 a.m. NZST

Here are the ten finalists for Sports Interactive's Football Manager 'design a logo' competition, which saw more than 6,000 entries. Over 22 ink cartridges and thousands of bits of paper (to be recycled) were used, and it took 9 judges 2 days to get the list down to the 10 finalists.

The competition's eventual winner will become the core material and inspiration behind the Football Manager 2005 branding, with the winning designer working with a top London design agency to finalise the logo ready for use in everything from the packaging and advertising, to within the game itself.

"It's traditional to respond to a competition such as this one by remarking on the quality of entrants, but in this case I feel that I have to go a little further by commenting on the quantity too," says Miles Jacobson, Managing Director of Sports Interactive. "It took an enormous amount of time and effort to whittle this virtual avalanche of entries down to the final shortlist of 10, but it was definitely a worthwhile process as I would be happy for any of these finalists to grace our packaging when Football Manager is released later this year. People worked really hard on their logo's, and it's a shame that there can only be 10 finalists."

Now that the shortlist has been chosen, SI is handing over the responsibility for choosing the ultimate winner to its loyal fanbase. From today, the 10 candidate logos go on display on the SI website (www.sigames.com) as well as on those of its media partners, ESPNSoccernet (www.espnsoccernet.com), Game (www.game.net) and GamesRadar (www.gamesradar.com). Visitors to each of these sites will be asked to vote for their favourite logo, with the least popular being eliminated as the days unfold.

The first round of voting finishes at midnight on Sunday April 25th, at which point the three least popular logos will be removed from the list. Three more will be 'voted off' after the second round closes at midnight on Wednesday, April 28th, while a further two will be out of the running when round three closes at midnight on Sunday, May 2nd. Voters will then be asked to choose between the remaining two candidates until voting finally closes at midnight on Wednesday, May 5th.

The winner, whose name will be revealed on Friday, May 7th will receive a cheque for ?0,000. The nine losing finalists' efforts will not go unrewarded either, as each of them will receive a year's supply of Sports Interactive games and other SI merchandise.

Football Manager 2005 will be published by SEGA in the final quarter of 2004. Further information is available from the Sports Interactive website, www.sigames.com.

Battlefield 2 is being developed by the original Battlefield 1942 Sweden based developer, Digital Illusions. Electronic Arts will publish and distribute the game for the PC under the EA Games brand worldwide.

More Details on Jak 3
Posted by M @ 10:29 p.m. NZST

Following our story yesterday concerning the last of the Jak and Daxter series, Sony has provided further details on Jak 3.

Says Sony Computer Entertainment America: "Jak 3 concludes the Jak and Daxter trilogy with a truly plot-driven adventure game filled with friendship, betrayal, death, and a long awaited understanding of the Precursor civilization that has, until now, remained a mystery."

True to the Jak and Daxter franchise, players will be immediately thrown into fast-paced action and seamless adventure that will drive the story along through twists and turns until the final climax where all is revealed.

One year has passed since Jak and Daxter saved Haven City from Kor and the attacking Metal Heads, yet Haven City is still immersed in deadly chaos as three groups fight for control of the streets. The people of Haven City have grown to distrust Jak's dark powers, and as rumors boil of Jak's ties with Krew and Kor, the city blames Jak for its current woeful circumstances. When the palace is destroyed by a surprise Metal Head attack, even Ashelin cannot protect Jak as the High Council's power broker, Count Veger, forces Jak into banishment to the desolate Wasteland. Jak is flown to the harsh island and dumped. With Daxter and Pecker bravely by his side, the three begin their next adventure where the battle for the city has just begun.

Five times the size of Haven City, the Wasteland is a desert environment with multiple areas including mines and a volcano. Given the enormity and variance in terrain, vehicles play a large role as off-road transportation is introduced, fueled by a true-to-life physics engine. With a rugged new look and suited with armor, Jak is also equipped with an arsenal of new weapons with upgradeable mods that enable players to increase their firepower and enjoy the freedom to strategise and activate their arsenal at any time.

As Jak has been exposed to Light Eco, players can now experience Jak's transformation to Light Jak. With a glowing electric blue aura and a massive wing span, Light Jak introduces new move sets including the ability to glide great distances, emit an energy to block enemy attack, and power up at anytime, all of which provide the player with a sense of being invincible. Dark Jak also returns with more capabilities, forcing Jak to find a balance between light and dark.

For the first time in the franchise, enemies feature realistic rag doll physics, which will allow gamers to witness a unique death for each enemy that is killed. Naughty Dog has also implemented independent cloth movement technology and enhanced the enemy artificial intelligence (AI) with wall climbing and smart formation capabilities.

Xbox Live Tsunami Tonight
Posted by t()mbst()ne @ 4:24 p.m. NZST

Here is the official announcment from Microsoft regarding Xbox Live:

Xbox Live will be unavailable for approximately 24 hours to upgrade the service and add new features starting at 6:01 am PDT on Wednesday 04/21/2004. During this downtime, Xbox.com, (including the forums) may be unavailable intermittently.

You will be automatically prompted when you login for the first time after the system upgrade to download the free update for your Xbox.

This is part of the upgrade that has been previously announced.

It is important to understand that this is the first step as we lay the foundation for the exciting features that are included in this upgrade. It's also important to note that not all features will be available after the upgrade, and most will not be visible until game developers decide to implement specific features into their titles. Additionally, the MSN messenger integration that you have read about is not included in this release, and will be coming after this upgrade.

Sony has confirmed Jak 3 will be the final game in the PlayStation 2 Jak & Daxter series following the resignation of developer Naughty Dog's co-founder Jason Rubin.

Rubin's resignation, announced at the DICE summit in March, is effective from the completion of Jak 3.

Jak 3 is scheduled for release in Q4.

2004 Gamestars GOTY Winners
Posted by M @ 5:01 p.m. NZST

ITV's Game Stars programme in Britain has unveiled the winners of the Game Stars awards. Comedian Iain Lee and Ministry of Mayhem presenter Holly Willoughby unveiled the winners of the largest-ever poll of video games players.

The Game Stars winners are:

• The Sun People's Choice Award - EyeToy: Play, Sony Computer Entertainment
• The Game Most Wanted Award ?Driv3r, Atari
• Adventure Game ?The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Nintendo
• Pocket Game ?Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire, Nintendo
• Best Spin-Off ?Knights of the Old Republic, Lucas Art
• Sports Game ?Championship Manager, Eido
• Best Newcomer ?EyeToy: Play, Sony Computer Entertainment
• Best Action Game - James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing, EA Game
• Racing Game - Need For Speed: Underground, EA Game
• Multiplayer Game - Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Nintendo

Polynesian Influence on New GBA
Posted by M @ 4:01 p.m. NZST

Nintendo launches Game Boy Advance SP Tribal Edition

Nintendo will release a new Tribal limited edition GBA in Europe in June featuring a tattoo design on the handheld's casing based on ancient designs originating from Polynesian and Indian culture.

The Game Boy Advance SP Tribal Edition goes on sale across Europe for a limited period only on June 18th 2004 at the estimated retail price of around 129 - 139 Euros.

This month Monaco Corporation will be giving away a Game Boy Advance SP at Gameplanet to celebrate the first anniversary of the SP model. The winner will be able to choose from any GBA SP available GBA SP model, but we're not yet sure when the Tribal edition will be available here.

Crash 'n' Burn Signed up
Posted by M @ 1:51 p.m. NZST

Eidos has signed a development deal with acclaimed developer Climax's Brighton studio to develop the upcoming arcade racer Crash 'n' Burn for PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Crash 'n' Burn is scheduled for a Q4 release

Crash 'n' Burn is a racing game where the focus is on aggressive and dangerous driving. The game features online support for 16 players and will be Eidos' first online console game. Crash 'n' Burn will be showcased on the Eidos stand at E3 in May.

Dave Rose, European development director of Eidos said: "Based on their renowned expertise and previous successes, Climax was the ideal choice for this project. Climax has a proven track record in developing quality driving games and a great understanding of what makes a compelling online console experience."

Tony Beckwith, managing director of Climax said: "We've been able to use the technology and expertise gained from driving games like the MotoGP series to allow us to focus strongly on gameplay, and we think the results are going to resonate with gamers. The driving genre has become very predictable and conservative over recent years and creating a new brand has given us the opportunity to understand what made us love vehicle-based games in the first place."

Joint Operations Now June
Posted by M @ 11:50 a.m. NZST

From GPstore News:

The release of Novalogic's answer to Battlefield, Joint Operations, has unsurprisingly slipped into June. Joint Operations is now expected to be released in New Zealand on June 10th.

Developed using the Black Hawk engine, Joint Operations promises superior rendering technology and an enhanced 3rd generation multiplayer experience. Wage war with drivable modern combat vehicles and up to 64 players online via the NovaWorld games service, or through LAN.

GPstore News carries the latest product release updates in games, DVDs, hardware and more, updated daily.

Yesterday - 75% off Anime, Far Cry (PC) restocked, Sacred (PC) shipping tomorrow.

Check out the Gameplanet features section for the latest Joint Opertations screenshots.

Congratulations to S. Middlemiss, who has won the prize draw for the Ultimate Gaming Pack care of Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand and TelstraClear!

Mr Middlemiss wins:

1) A PlayStation 2 Net Starter Pack containing a PlayStation 2 ethernet adaptor and ethernet cable, and PlayStation 2 Network Access Disc

2) A copy of the world's most popular online console game, SOCOMII: US Navy SEALs, and Logitech SOCOM II USB headset

3) A free high-speed Internet connection to Paradise.net and a DSL modem.

The prize will be sent direct from SCENZ and the winner has been notified by email.

See you online!

14 comments

Dungeon Siege II Site Now Open
Posted by M @ 1:43 p.m. NZST

Microsoft Game Studios has today announced that the official Dungeon Siege II site is now up. Visitors who delve beyond the menacing image of the evil Ganth will find a treasure chest full of Dungeon Siege II information featuring new screenshots, concept art, wallpaper and more. The site will also be home to a bestiary, an armory, developer diaries and a regularly updated news section.

Dungeon Siege II, the sequel to the best-selling RPG from Gas Powered Games, returns players to the beautiful fantasy land of Aranna; but it is a land scarred by civil war where the lines between good and evil are blurred. Dungeon Siege II promises to set a new standard for role-playing games by combining an intriguing story-line with intense real-time party combat and cutting edge 3D graphics.

Mafia Shipping to Xbox
Posted by M @ 1:38 p.m. NZST

From GPstore News:

The long-awaited Xbox version of Mafia has arrived in the warehouse today and all pre-orders are shipping on tonight's courier.

The city of Lost Heaven is at war as the Salieri and Morello mobs fight to control the lucrative protection rackets, smuggling and the women of Lost Heaven. The cops, the feds, and the Morello family are out to get you... join the Mafia and stay alive. Buy online and save $15 off retail.

Check out GPstore news for the latest product release updates in games, hardware, DVDs and more, updated daily.

Max Drive
Posted by M @ 1:22 p.m. NZST

Datel has created a PC-compatible USB flash drive for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Max Drive is a 16MB USB device that fits into the PS2's USB port or Xbox controller memory card slot.

Max Drive can also be used to transfer saves from your console to your PC, storing them on your computer's hard drive. You can then email them to your friends and download the latest game saves with in-built cheats from Datel's CodeJunkies server, and even update your Action Replay Max code list via a PC instead of through a PS2 broadband connection.

Datel's Managing Director, Michael Connors, said: "Max Drive is by far the most flexible memory management solution ever to hit the consoles. With its huge storage capacity and PC-compatibility, it's an indispensable tool for the serious gamer".

Max Drive will be available from 23rd April for around $60. Max Drive is USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible, and comes supplied with all the required software.

Hitman: Contracts - New Trailer, Screenshots
Posted by M @ 1:00 p.m. NZST

Eidos has released three new screenshots and a trailer for Hitman: Contracts. The trailer is available at the official site and you can check out the screenshots by clicking on the thumbnails above.

Hitman: Contracts is due for release on PC, PS2 and Xbox on 7th May.

Roma Victor Logo Competition
Posted by M @ 12:46 p.m. NZST

RedBedlam, developer of the upcoming historically authentic MMORPG Roma Victor, has announced an open logo design competition for the eagerly awaited title.

RedBedlam continues its community-centric approach to MMO game development and this logo competition ideally promotes the company's focus to include the Roma Victor's enthusiastic and growing community at every stage of the development process.

"We are a small, passionate and dedicated team and we have many critical priorities to achieve our development goals," says Kerry Fraser-Robinson, President and Managing Director of RedBedlam. "Our community is as much a part of the development process as we are."

The winner of the logo design competition will not only see the logo used globally, but will also be presented with a replica 2nd century gladius sword - as used by the Roman legions - complete with an embossed scabbard featuring the winner's design.

The competition is open to all aspiring artists & designers over the age of 18, and all entries must be received by midnight August 1st 2004, the winner will be announced on August 14th 2004. Further instructions are available here.

For more information about Roma Victor, visit the project's official website.

Battlefield Console
Posted by M @ 12:27 p.m. NZST

Electronic Arts has announced Battlefield Modern Combat for release on PlayStation 2 later this year including 24-player PlayStation Net support.

The title is already underway and is being developed by the Swedish team Digital Illusions responsible for the PC Battlefield titles.

The first-ever Battlefield console installment will drop players into the heat of battle on the high tech frontlines, entering a new modern era of combat with more firepower and new expansive environments. Armed with the latest modern weaponry, players can take control of over 30 vehicles, including tanks, helicopters and fast attack vehicles, to engage in major conflicts with up to 24 players in some of the largest online battles on the PlayStation 2 console.

Voiceover communication is also supported via USB headset. Players will choose to fight for one of three military superpowers: the United States, the Chinese, or the newly formed Middle East Coalition.

Battlefield: Modern Combat features large and detailed environments, from city streets to remote forests, in some of the globe's most notorious hot spots.

Battlefield: Modern Combat also includes over 70 state-of-the-art modern weapons and advanced weapon systems, including heat-seeking missiles and laser designated bombs. Additionally, with in-game success, players increase their rank and garner promotions in a persistent online world.

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V8 Supercars 2 Multiplayer Demo
Posted by M @ 11:51 a.m. NZST

Codemasters has released the latest demo for the PC version of V8 Supercars 2, due for release on 8th May. The demo is available from the official site. Registration for the 112MB download is free.

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Tribes Free
Posted by M @ 11:50 a.m. NZST

Vivendi Universal Games will be distributing Starsiege: Tribes and Tribes 2 free on a special-edition DVD-ROM bundled with the newsstand edition of the June issue of Computer Gaming World magazine and online via FilePlanet.com. The giveaway is meant to celebrate the fourth-quarter release of Tribes: Vengeance, the next installment in the venerable Tribes franchise of PC action games.

The special versions of these games will be available in the June issue of Computer Gaming World, which will hit newsstands starting May 4, 2004, and will be simultaneously accessible for online download through FilePlanet.com.

Released in 1998, Starsiege: Tribes was the first major online-only first-person action game. The combination of team-based gameplay, expansive outdoor terrains, multiple play modes, customizable characters, and controllable vehicles created a game that was an instant hit among fans and press alike. Its sequel, Tribes 2, was released in 2001 and further refined the genre, winning numerous industry awards. Together, both games have sold nearly a million copies worldwide.

Coming in the fourth-quarter, Tribes: Vengeance is the next installment in the Tribes franchise. In Tribes: Vengeance, gamers become immersed in a roiling galactic thriller. Throughout the game, the player catches glimpses of myriad interrelated stories that unfold behind-the-scenes and is given the opportunity to experience the full scope of the single-player story through multiple viewpoints and characters. Utilizing the Vengeance Engine powered by Unreal technology, the world is brought to life with characters that have facial expressions and fully-realized personalities, vehicles that kick up dust as they pass by, and weapons that display spectacular effects.

Tribes: Vengeance will also build upon the Tribes series' legendary online multiplayer action by continuing to focus on team-oriented goals and fluid movement. Developer Irrational Games has hired one of the Tribes community's leading developers to head up the design and creation of the game's multiplayer component. Particular focus is being given to making Tribes: Vengeance easily accessible to the video game modification (MOD) community. Irrational Games and VU Games have worked together to ensure that Tribes: Vengeance's game modification tools are easily accessible and robust.

Call of Duty Expansion
Posted by M @ 11:49 a.m. NZST

Activision has confirmed that gamers can enlist for a second tour of duty on the intense front lines of WWII with Call of Duty: United Offensive, the expansion pack to the highly acclaimed, best-selling Call of Duty from Infinity Ward.

Delivering a compelling, all-new single player campaign filled with new weapons, character abilities and other expanded features, Call of Duty: United Offensive also offers a robust multiplayer experience introducing new maps and modes of play. Building on Call of Duty's award-winning cinematic intensity and chaos of battle, players are thrust alongside their squad mates into more authentic action on Europe's most historic battlefields. Currently in development at Gray Matter Interactive Studios, Call of Duty: United Offensive is expected to release in Q3.

"There are so many untold stories of WWII left to uncover," states Dusty Welch, vice president of global brand management, Activision, Inc. "Gray Matter Interactive has a great vision of how to bring these stories to life in Call of Duty: United Offensive, with incredible new effects and features that heighten the sense of realism, building on the best game of 2003 which has racked up over 70 Game of the Year and 50 Editors' Choice Awards worldwide."

"We are very excited to be working with Activision and Infinity Ward on Call of Duty: United Offensive," states Robb Alvey, senior producer, Gray Matter Interactive Studios. "Infinity Ward kicked-off the Call of Duty franchise with a landmark title and we can't wait to deliver the next chapter in intense, epic battlefield action."

Call of Duty: United Offensive's single player campaign allows gamers to experience more of WWII's most crucial and legendary conflicts, including The Battle of the Bulge, The Battle of Kursk and the invasion of Sicily, as they fight through more than ten intense all-new maps. The game features new weapons, character abilities, weather effects and explosions, adding even more realism to the chaotic battlefields.

Additionally, Call of Duty: United Offensive expands on the popular multiplayer experience of Call of Duty, offering new multiplayer maps that set the stage for tank combat, as well as tank-and-foot-soldier combined arms action, providing the ultimate battle of Axis vs. Allies. Fans will also enjoy three new multiplayer gameplay modes, including Tank Battle, Capture the Flag and Domination - where squads must take control of key locations while preventing enemy troops from advancing.

Armageddon opened in Auckland today with the usual mix of gaming, animated arts and other entertainment. Gameplanet had a look around this afternoon and was also present at Microsoft's get-together on Thursday night to celebrate upcoming changes of Xbox Live and the launch of Codemaster's V8 Supercars 2.

We'll have more details on Microsoft's announcements and games on show later, but for now check out the pics from today so you know what to expect if you're planning on trying out any of the gaming stuff over the weekend.

Game of the Year Voting Begins
Posted by M @ 12:01 p.m. NZST

Voting is now open for Gameplanet's game of the year awards. Shortlists were prepared based on nominations from the forum for games release in the last calendar year, and you can now place your votes for each of the six genres at the Gameplanet forums.

Check out the relevant threads at the top of the General section. We'll also have more threads for voting by platform later today. These will be found in the Gameplanet General (PC), Nintendo (GameCube/Game Boy Advance), PlayStation 2 and Xbox General forums.

The awards will ultimately be decided by Gameplanet along with several additional awards to be announced next month ahead of E3.

NVIDIA GeForce 6 Series Previews
Posted by Egor @ 8:47 a.m. NZST

Some previews of NVIDIA's newly announced GeForce 6800 Ultra video card are available on Anandtech, FiringSquad, Guru3D, [H]ardOCP, Hardware Analysis, Hexus, HomeLAN Fed, Hot Hardware, NVNews, PC Perspective, The Tech Report, and Tom's Hardware.

The cards are due for retail release in the U.S. within six weeks. No word yet on local release, though it's likely to be similar. Initial pricing is expected to be the same as the previous generation GeForce FX series at release. (Better get a Lotto ticket if you want one.)

Gamer TV E3 DVD
Posted by M @ 8:36 a.m. NZST

Gamer.tv (www.gamer.tv) will covermount a fully interactive DVD on the August issue of Edge magazine, on-sale in July, featuring an exclusive 30-minute television show titled Edge E3 Experience.

This is the second year running a Gamer.tv DVD covermount has graced the hallowed front cover of Edge and the new show will blend the widely-acclaimed magazine's stylised design and intelligent gaming content into an informative and entertaining broadcast quality programme.

The Gamer.tv DVD covermount is a joint venture and will be created by both Gamer.tv's in-house producers and Edge's editorial team to focus on key E3 gaming titles, features and news stories, delivering a top spec, broadcast quality production.

"We are flattered that Edge has commissioned us to covermount another DVD show," commented Ian Sharpe, Business Development Manager, Gamer.tv. "Edge's front cover is a hard-hitting platform for us to show off our expertise of how to make entertaining TV and our solid understanding of the computer gaming industry in front of a large, intelligent readership."

Gamer.tv combines the world's most powerful media ?television, mobile and the Internet ?to deliver cutting-edge and entertaining TV programmes, mobile video clips and online content.

Gamer.tv has a total of six gaming-related programmes in production including Gamer TV, a weekly magazine show broadcast in over 60 countries, as well as Gamiacs, EndZone, 10Play, Evolver and the hugely popular Around the World in 80 Games.

Edge is the world's leading interactive entertainment magazine, renowned for its unique style and approach to gaming editorial. Dedicated to introducing the best in multiplatform gaming to leading opinion formers, Edge reflects the continuing evolution of the global computer games market.

"Gamer.tv's proven track record in producing high-quality broadcast content makes it an ideal partner for Edge," commented James Binns, Publisher, Future Publishing. "With strong editorial involvement, we aim to provide a unique insight into the E3 experience for our readers." As part of an ongoing relationship with Future Publishing, the DVD covermount on Edge will be one of a series of Gamer.tv DVD covermounts that will be appearing on Future titles over the coming months.

Gamer TV screens on Prime TV every Saturday at 4pm. Edge magazine is sold at GPstore for $19.95.

Retail graphics boards based on the GeForce 6800 models are slated for release in the next 45 days.

V8 Supercars 2 Out Now
Posted by M @ 12:34 p.m. NZST

The Xbox version of V8 Supercars 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator is out today. With online play for up to 16 players and a huge selection of trucks and cars, Supercars looks set to become the most popular Xbox racer of all. Check out Gameplanet's hands-on preview or join in our Xbox forums to talk shop and organise your online races.

The PC version is due for release on 8th May.

Free Ace Add-On
Posted by @ 12:26 p.m. NZST

Hot on the heels of the New Zealand release of the Ace Expansion Pack for the WWII flight simulator IL-2 Forgotten Battles is news of another free add-on. Details as yet are somewhat vague, but the official site has some screenshots showing a flyable B-25 bomber over a new desert map. There is speculation over a couple more new planes, as well as new variants of the Spitfire.

The dedicated server code for Ace is due out not long after the add-on is released. Visit the Gameplanet IL-2 forum for online events.

We'll have more information for you as it comes to hand.

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Silcon Knights Ends Nintendo Deal
Posted by M @ 6:18 p.m. NZST

Silicon Knights, developer of GameCube titles Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes has ended its four-year exclusivity deal with Nintendo.

"We decided it was best to go our own separate ways," said Silcon Knights president and founder Denis Dyack. While Dyack hasn't revealed the reasons behind the decision, there have been no decisions on which formats the company will support in the immediate future. "The relationship [with Nintendo] is still good-very positive. It's not clear which direction we're going in."

A Nintendo spokesman said in a statement following the announcement, "Nintendo respects the creative work of Silicon Knights, and the parties have left the door open to work on future projects that meet the creative vision of both companies. [We] have reached an agreement to allow Silicon Knights to pursue its vision of video game entertainment with other companies."

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Sony Halts PSX Production
Posted by M @ 5:59 p.m. NZST

Sony has ceased production of the PSX due to continuing poor sales, according to media reports this week.

"We have a structure where we run our production lines according to the movement of demands [in the market]," a Sony spokesperson is reported as telling the Weekly Gendai magazine in Japan. "We are currently deciding on the timing of when to restart production, with consideration given to adjustments in our inventory."

An unnamed source has also been quoted as saying, "A lot of things have been said about the failure of the PSX inside the company, but it was probably due to the unrealistic way that its development was conducted. "The development [of the PSX] was being handled by the games division and the next-generation Blu-ray Disc development division. The [PSX's] controls were being developed by the games division, while the Blu-ray Disc division was doing the AV parts. But the divisions couldn't work too well together. As a result, the capabilities of the PSX became incoherent, and it ended up as a machine that's neither a game console nor a DVD recorder."

The PSX is due for international release at the end of the year. While the Japanese launch in December was marred by unannounced downgrading of major functions, two upgrade discs have since been released to restore lost features. It is expected the Western model will include full-spec functionality, though the machine's usefulness looks to remain restricted by Sony-format memory functionality, positioning of the controller ports at the rear of the machine and the inability to plug in a multitap.

Gangsters to Live Longer with 1.2 Patch
Posted by M @ 3:59 p.m. NZST

Obviously recognising the brilliance of Trigger Man's save system (see previous article), a save point patch for this month's upcoming mafia PC game Gangland is now available to download online from www.whiptailinteractive.com. The 1.2 patch allows players to save their progress within single-player missions at pre-determined checkpoints, complementing the existing auto save function which ensures a player's progress is saved after each conquest or challenge.

"In the early stages of Gangland's development MediaMobsters anticipated that the game's individual conquests and challenges would take players less time to complete than they do in the released version of the game; introducing a save game feature during gameplay became relevant when the conquest and challenge playing time increased," says Adam Gregersen, director of MediaMobsters.

As well as enabling players to take advantage of the 'Save Game' function, the 1.2 patch makes several improvements to both single and multiplayer gameplay. In single player, these include an ingame pause feature as well as enhanced minimap functionality. In multiplayer there have been improvements to the functionality of the command console and the ability to disable computer players ingame. The 1.2 patch also contains all of the improvements featured in the previously released 1.1 patch which increased stability and performance within Gangland.

Copycat Killers
Posted by M @ 3:43 p.m. NZST

As if we don't have enough already, Crave Entertainment is releasing Trigger Man, a third-person, mission-based action/adventure game that immerses the player in the role of an underworld hit man. Developed by Point of View and scheduled for release in Q3 of 2004, Trigger Man will be available for the Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Trigger Man takes players to the loading docks and glitzy casinos that are frequented by the 'capos', 'consiglieri' and the 'made men' of two warring families.

Featuring eight different missions, which require a deadly mixture of cunning stealth and brute force to survive, each mission has checkpoints where the player can save the game during the mission without having to replay the entire mission. Players will need to outfit themselves with the tools of the trade from body armor and over 14 weapons, to silencers to make the hit.

Atari has advised that Australian band Regurgitator has contributed original music to the soundtrack of the upcoming PlayStation 2 game Transformers, due for release on 14th May.

Music written by the band Regurgitator will feature in sections of the locally produced game. Developed in Australia by Atari Melbourne House, Transformers is an action/adventure game based in the Transformers universe. Quan Yeomans wrote and produced an original music score to accompany the battle as the player attempts to defeat Cyclonus in the Deep Amazon level.

Also included is a bonus remix, by Regurgitator, of the Transformers theme song hidden within the game. The theme song remix can be found by locating a "datacon" placed in the environment of the game.

Top Spin Patch Now Available
Posted by M @ 11:41 a.m. NZST

Xbox Live users will receive an automatic update to the popular tennis title Top Spin from today as the long-awaited patch arrives to overcome multiplayer issues.

Microsoft recently announced it will not be releasing updates to its sports titles this year, though development of Top Spin 2, which is already underway, would not have been completed this year at any rate.

The patch allows players to see opponent stats, attributes of the character being used and a lag rating. The patch also elminates the 'death drop shot', a move which allowed players to return serve with a drop shot that hits the net and fades over into play. The development team has refrained from fixing other probelms with risk shots for fear of creating more problems than they solve, and will leave such changes to Top Spin 2. In the meantime, official XSN tournaments have instigated rules prohibiting most risk shots.

New Catwoman Trailer
Posted by M @ 11:10 a.m. NZST

There's a new trailer showing off Catwoman's feline powers available now. We'll have it up on our server soon but in the meantime you can check it out here at EA's website.

Catwoman is due for release on everything (except maybe the Phantom) to coincide with the movie this Winter.

"Gamers will control Catwoman as they play the movie, utilising her unique catlike skills, senses and cunning to defeat her enemies. Boasting incredible acrobatic skills, Catwoman can leap across roofs, run up walls, pounce on prey, utilize inimitable "cat senses," and avoid enemy bullets with feline grace. In addition, she can use her whip to swing through the air, and utilize the fully interactive enviroments to trap or knock her foes unconcious. The game will take players through numerous levels set in seven different locations from the movie."

WCG 2004 Official Games Announced
Posted by Egor @ 10:32 a.m. NZST

The official games for the World Cyber Games 2004 have been announced. The WCG is the computer gaming equivalent of the Olympics, bringing gamers from around the world together to represent their country and compete for cash prizes. This year's WCG will be held in Los Angeles.

Six PC games and two console games have been selected for the 2004 event:

• Counter-Strike: Condition Zero
• FIFA Soccer 2004
• Need for Speed: Underground
• StarCraft: Brood War
• Unreal Tournament 2004
• WarCraft III: Frozen Throne
• Halo (Xbox)
• Project Gotham Racing 2 (Xbox)

Rockstar Goes Handheld
Posted by M @ 9:26 a.m. NZST

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing division of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., has formed Rockstar Leeds through the acquisition of Mobius Entertainment Ltd., a Leeds, England based developer of handheld video games.

"We were very impressed with the Mobius development team from the time they began work on the Game Boy Advance version of Max Payne," commented Sam Houser, President of Rockstar Games. "They bring a uniquely progressive vision to the titles they develop and we believe this studio is ahead of the industry on next generation handheld development. We are proud to have them join the Rockstar family."

Mobius Entertainment, now Rockstar Leeds, was founded by industry veterans Gordon Hall, Jason McGann, Dave Box and Ian Bowden in December 1997. They have focused their development efforts primarily on titles for the Game Boy Advance as well as Sony's forthcoming PSP handheld game platform. The studio has approximately 30 developers who have created some of the industry's most highly regarded handheld games, including the award winning Game Boy Advance version of Max Payne for Rockstar Games and Remedy; Drome Racers for Lego and THQ; and Pop Idol for Codemasters.

"From inception, we have grown in size, confidence and enthusiasm, and have remained committed to producing the highest quality games for an ever-changing market," stated Gordon Hall, Managing Director at Mobius. "With our new identity as Rockstar Leeds, we will further leverage our creative and dynamic development team by delivering products that exceed industry expectations for quality, technical achievement and critical acclaim."

Ghost Recon 2 for PC, Console
Posted by M @ 9:16 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has confirmed development of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2, the long-awaited sequel to the best-selling modern military shooter that changed the online multiplayer experience for both PC and console fans around the world.

With this title and two other key announcements to come in the next few days, Ubisoft is expanding its lineup of war games to every segment of the military category, from historical to near future, and aggressively positioning itself in the competitive war games market which accounted for 5 out of the top-selling 10 shooter franchises in 2003. The Ghost Recon franchise contributed greatly to the strength of this segment with more than 5 million copies sold worldwide.

"Ghost Recon is now recognised as a top-selling franchise, and we've kept the values that made the first opus such a success," said Alain Corre, Ubisoft's Managing Director for Europe, Asia Pacific and South America. "Now with Ghost Recon 2, we have brought up the intensity and adrenaline in order to throw the player right into the middle of modern war-chaos. Our teams have been working on bringing immersion to the next level - and the result is simply amazing. You will really feel like you are at the centre of a true war machine when playing this game."

Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Red Storm studio, Ghost Recon 2 launches on console and PC mid-year. The game is set "in the chaotic battlefields of tomorrow, and will offer gamers an insider's view of the way large scale conflicts will be fought in the near future."

"Ghost Recon has established itself as a mega-selling franchise, and we've retained the core elements that made the first game such a success," said Laurent Detoc, President of Ubisoft, Inc. "But for Ghost Recon 2, we wanted to dial up the intensity and adrenaline to create an experience of total war. We've retooled and improved every aspect of the game, and have integrated a host of incredible new features - and the result is amazing. You will truly feel like you are the hero of a near-future war movie when playing this game."

Ubisoft says Ghost Recon 2 will continue the tradition of intensity and realism associated with Ubisoft's Tom Clancy brand, with an emotionally charged storyline, a completely redesigned graphics engine and the most intuitive gameplay to date, to fully immerse gamers into the chaos of a high tech war. The game will offer more action than ever before, as it puts players in command of an elite squad of special forces thrust into a tense political situation in East Asia.

4 comments

Gameplanet has teamed up with Sony and TelstraClear to give you a chance to win the Ultimate Gaming Pack containing:

1) A PlayStation 2 Net Starter pack

2) A SOCOM II: US Navy SEALs pack with the new Logitech USB headset

3) A Paradise.net high-speed Internet connection and DSL modem from TelstraClear

Simply check your email or follow the link above, answer the simple question (the answer is also in there) and you could be online for free with the most popular online console game in the world and the new and improved USB heaset with mute function from Logitech.

Burnout 3 Shots not Rendered: Criterion
Posted by M @ 8:54 a.m. NZST

Alex Ward, director of design at Burnout 3 developer Criterion Games Ltd, has written to Gameplanet to advise the screenshots featured in our PlayStation 2 hands-on preview are actual grabs taken from the game.

Unfortunately due to Easter we were not able to ask more about the claim, but while we are aware the shots are from the game in action, we can confirm the build we tested looked somewhat raw compared to those screens and are still wondering how the images have been rendered to look so smooth.

As you will be able to see, the images look smoother than the resolution of a standard TV, which is as much as the PlayStation 2 can output. Also, the PAL Xbox does not output in high definition resolutions, so for now we'll have to say it's a mystery and something we'll try to have more details on next week.

Rest in Peace, SpamTin
Posted by Egor @ 8:36 a.m. NZST

It is with great sadness I must report that Leigh Shar, aka SpamTin, has passed away at Auckland hospital.

Leigh was responsible for bringing you most of the news on Counter-Strike NZ over the last year. I met her in person only once, but I count her as a friend and I know she will be dearly missed by a great many members of this community, a community to which she contributed an enormous amount of her time and energy without ever asking anything in return.

Leigh had been suffering from a bone cancer of the pelvis for some time, a condition which left her in a wheel chair. In the time I knew her, she seemed to be regularly in and out of hospital for different treatments. She told me herself that her chances were not good; yet she was always bright and put a smile on things. My heart and thoughts go out to her family.

Her service will be on Monday.

Further to the announcement of a GameCube version of Rainbow Six 3, Ubisoft is working on Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Black Arrow for Xbox to release in Q3. Developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studios, Black Arrow improves upon "the most successful Xbox Live game of all time with new single- and multi-player missions, new online modes, split-screen for cooperative gameplay, and a host of new features that maximises the possibilities of Xbox Live."

Black Arrow will be the one of the first games to deliver the new Xbox Live 3.0 features to the gaming community.

Black Arrow continues in the vein of last year's game, which received a number of awards including 'Console First Person Action Game of the Year' from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS).

Rainbow Six 3 for GameCube
Posted by M @ 8:56 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has today announced that a GameCube version of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3 will be released in June.

Completely redesigned for next-gen console players, Rainbow Six 3 gives players the opportunity to command an elite, four-man international anti-terrorist squad, and features the trademark realism of the Clancy games, immediate, immersive close-quarters action, state of the art in-game cinematics, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell-quality graphics and a nail-biting plot ripped from today's headlines.

In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3, the first title in the wildly popular series for current-generation consoles, players lead an elite team of multinational counter-terrorist operatives in 15 intense missions against deadly, intelligent foes. When a terrorist plot threatens to tilt the balance of peace between the United States and Saudi Arabia, Team RAINBOW is the only answer. In locations around the world, from Europe to the United States to South America, execute Team RAINBOW's missions with deadly force and precise tactics in order to protect the innocent and ensure peace.

Key Game Features:

• Immersive storyline with spectacular events that directly affect gameplay
• Split-screen mode for offline 2-player collaboration
• Give commands to your team-mates with the Quick Order Interface.
• Squad-based, action-oriented gameplay keeps the excitement flowing ?lead an international team of 4 elite operatives, each with their own look and personality
• Movie-quality cinematics enhance the immersion in the world of Team RAINBOW
• Incredible graphics and lighting effects
• Trademark Tom Clancy realism

Far Cry Coming to Consoles
Posted by M @ 8:26 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has announced that its award-winning Montreal Studio is currently producing Far Cry Instincts, console versions based on the recently released, tropical PC shooter. The console version will be an entirely new game built from the ground up using the most advanced technology Far Cry fans have come to expect.

"Looking at Far Cry's incredible success in Europe, which is currently the number one-selling PC game in all territories' charts, we are confident that Far Cry Instincts will be one of Ubisoft's most striking games this year," said Florence Alibert, Ubisoft's Marketing Director for EMEA territories. "The Montreal-based development team, gathering most of the talented members behind the original Splinter CellTM, plans to further reinforce Far Cry Instincts' position as one of Ubisoft's key brands for the future."

Just as Far Cry redefined the FPS genre on the PC, Far Cry Instincts will introduce wide open environments and unique, immersive gameplay elements that are destined to become the definition of survival action. In addition to the PC version's signature locations, non-scripted A.I., and unprecedented view-distance, Far Cry Instincts will feature brand new gameplay scenarios that will challenge players to use an even broader range of strategies and survival tactics in order to uncover the many secrets within the beautiful-but-deadly islands.

With New Zealanders famous for their early adoption of new technology with the take-up rate of the (belatedly delivered) Xbox console just one example of the local habit, that may mean digital distribution becomes entrenched here sooner than overseas.

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Rocky Legends for Q4
Posted by M @ 5:57 p.m. NZST

Ubisoft today announced it will release Rocky Legends for the PlayStation 2. Rocky Legends will let players experience the pummelling action and untold backstories that lead up to the events chronicled in the blockbuster Rocky movies. Pound the competition as legendary fighters Rocky Balboa (the Italian Stallion from the streets of Philly), Apollo Creed (the Master of Disaster), Clubber Lang (straight out of a Chicago jailhouse) and Ivan Drago, (the Iron Fist of mother Russia), rise from their raw beginnings as unproven amateurs toughing it out along the way to their professional careers as boxing champions.

The game is being developed by Venom Games with a team comprised of many individuals who created the highly-acclaimed first Rocky videogame. Rocky Legends will deliver the ideal mix of arcade fun and simulation boxing. The game promises to provide fresh features including new boxers and venues, intuitive gameplay and improved graphics. In addition, the game will be playable online via Xbox Live, allowing toe-to-toe matchups and competitive leagues.

"The ongoing partnership and resulting Rocky Legends video game with Ubisoft is the direct result of commercial and critical success from the first Rocky game," said Neil Haldar, Vice President, Production and Business Development, MGM Interactive. "Rocky Legends will again showcase our diversified and successful approach in collaborating with strong partners for our videogame business."

Rocky Legends is slated to enter the gaming arena next Spring.

Far Cry DVD Arrives
Posted by M @ 5:57 p.m. NZST

GPstore News has advised the DVD-ROM version of Far Cry has arrived. Far Cry was released last week after being held up at the classifications office.

GPstore carries daily product release news and updates in games, hardware, DVDs, music and more.

Yesterday - Metal Gear Solid: the Twin Snakes arrives (GC), Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Athena Sword expansion (PC) now 16th April, more.

Revelation will be developed by UbiSoft Montreal, a first for the series.

Third Installment of Driv3r Trailer Now Available
Posted by M @ 11:46 p.m. NZST

Atari has unveiled the third and final episode of Run the Gauntlet, the first of its kind Hollywood-produced, live action short film based on Atari's Driv3r game and created by Tony and Ridley Scott's RSA USA, Inc., today on www.DRIV3R.com.

Atari commissioned Ridley Scott Associates (RSA) to produce the original three-minute live-action film inspired by Driv3r.

The Web site also received another weekly update of exclusive information and assets. The Driv3r Web site is updated every Thursday with all new materials for fans of the game and the series.

This week's update includes:

• Five new, exclusive screenshots from the Xbox version of the game
• Update on in-game vehicles with images of the motorbikes included in the game
• A new "virtual car" - a 3D version of the in-game taxi from Istanbul has been added for fans to explore
• Fans can log on to www.Driv3r.com to see all the new materials in the "Updates" section at the bottom left corner of the page. Driv3r.com is home to videos, information, screenshots, screensavers, wallpapers and much more. The Web site is also where fans can view all trailers and episodes for Run The Gauntlet.
• Driv3r is scheduled to be available worldwide in June on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Crystal Xbox this Week
Posted by M @ 11:54 a.m. NZST

Microsoft has announced the long-awaited Crystal Xbox console will be available this week as part of the Xbox Crystal High Performance Pack.

"Following the success of the translucent-green Limited Edition Xbox, the Crystal console looks set to rapidly become a collectors item as well as a style icon.

Whether online with Xbox Live, offline or even switched off, the Xbox Crystal High Performance Pack is the ultimate fusion of sexy design, the most powerful console hardware available, and fantastic gaming experiences."

The Xbox Crystal High Performance Pack incudes:

Limited Edition Crystal Xbox console

Project Gotham Racing 2

One Crystal Xbox controller Crystal Hig.

Unfortunately there is no word on a PAL version of the Pure White or Kasumi-chan Blue editions available in Japan.

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Alias Goes Under New Price
Posted by M @ 11:41 a.m. NZST

Monaco Corporation has advised today that Alias, the video game based on and developed alongside the television series of the same name, will carry an RRP of $89.95 rather than $119.95.

The game is scheduled for release on 23rd April on PS2 and Xbox.

Gameplanet will have a hands-on preview of Alias later this week. Stay tuned.

Massive Assault Network Free Till Release
Posted by M @ 11:28 a.m. NZST

Following successful beta testing as offered at Gameplanet, Wargaming.Net has made Massive Assault Network pre-release build is ready and available for download here.

Everyone can play the fully functional version of this innovative online game free until the release, set for 13th April.

"We decided to get more people involved into the game, while some minor features are being polished," said Victor Kislyi, the president of Wargaming.net. "It's a nice opportunity for strategy gamers to experience M.A.N.'s innovative online gameplay for free - after the release this service will be offered for $6.95 monthly".

Massive Assault Network is an online 3D strategy game based on original Secret Allies political concept, where two commanders fight for global domination in sci-fi environment.

For more information visit http://www.massiveassaultnetwork.com.

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One of the best GBA games is coming to GameCube for multiplayer action for up to 16 players (vis shared controllers).

The GameCube version of WarioWare will centre around hundreds of similar rection-testing microgames lasting just a few seconds to the classic GBA title.

"All of Wario's fellow game developers get in on the action with their own twists on the GBA classics. In Mona's game, you actually have to perform stunts like playing a game while yawning or while looking away from the screen. Since your opponents will rate your performance when you're done, there's no cheating! And this is just the beginning - there are a dozen multiplayer modes to turn your micro party into a mega party."

F-Zero: GP Legend Coming in June
Posted by M @ 12:07 p.m. NZST

Nintendo has announced F-Zero: GP Legend is coming to Game Boy Advance in June. The Japanese version has recently released.

New to the Game Boy Advance comes an advanced story mode. Players begin the game as a character called Rick Wheeler. As players progress through the Story Mode for Rick, they can unlock new characters, including F-Zero favourite Captain Falcon, Samurai Goroh and the mysterious Black Shadow. Each story is accompanied by in depth cut scenes and dialogue that is unique to the perspective of each character. There are eight characters to unlock in total and 40 missions to complete in the Story Mode.

The game also includes a number of other additional challenging racing modes. The Grand Prix mode has three different skill levels and three cups in each to win while The Zero Test mode requires players to master all manner of racing techniques to progress through 48 challenges. For the die hard racers there's the Time Attack mode and a Training mode, in which players can perfect racing skills and shave off vital seconds to their lap times.

F-Zero: GP Legend is a single or multiplayer racing game for up to four players using a single game pak and four Game Boy Advances linked together. If each player has a copy of the game, then even more tracks and vehicles will become available to race.

F-Zero joins Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Pinball, Donkey Kong Country 2, Mario Tennis, Pokemon Fire Red and Pokemon Leaf Green and a new Kirby game on the GBA release schedule this year, with Mario Golf arriving in June also.

Chaos League Explained
Posted by M @ 11:43 a.m. NZST

Gameplanet is intrigued by this title, though after playing Spawn Armageddon it's a little easier to imagine the idea behind its no-holds-barred perspective. Almost as brutal as its handling of opponents is its take on genres, crossing RPG, RTS and sports.

Britsoft publisher Digital Jesters is preparing to unveil further details about its latest signing and those keenest to hear more about this genre-busting title can now head over to the game's official website, which has just been launched at www.chaosleaguegame.com.

Chaos League is a fantasy sports game in which teams of nine players compete in a brutal field sport. Controlled using a real time strategy interface, the object of the game is simple: put the ball in the opponent's end-zone. The rules are equally simple: do it any way you can. And if that includes issuing commands such as 'stamp', 'facial kick' or 'ball of fire'... well, so be it. Just as long as you win.

The game's website boasts a wealth of information, much of it exclusive. For example, detailed information on the game's many races. Various downloads will be premiered here, from the usual wallpapers and screensavers, to extra mods and content with which to supplement the full game.

The Chaos League site is planned for a long-term community, with stacks of new material hosted in the lead up to, and far beyond release.

"Chaos League is a little bit different to most releases," says Leo Zullo, Marketing Director, Digital Jesters, "so we're keen to ensure that the website reflects its individuality. It's our prime focus over the [next few] months, so be sure to keep an eye out for the first playable demo and latest news."

Chaos League will be available mid-year on PC CD-ROM.

Codemasters has released a new Colin McRae Rally 04 multiplayer PC demo, now available for download from www.codemasters.co.uk/colinmcraerally04 in the Downloads section.

With the ability to rip through 3 of the game's 48 stages, the demo lets up to 8 players compete, over online or LAN, in head-to-head or co-operative team challenges. Take to the Citroen Xsara, hook up and lead the field in rally stages from Australia, Spain, and Sweden.

The full Colin McRae Rally 04 game delivers pure intense gear-grinding action, as the superb car handling combines with new championships, custom rallies, new single and multiplayer gaming modes, and unique car part testing challenges to win advanced technology for your car.

Maximising the rally gaming experience that tests both the cars and the player's rallying skills, Colin McRae Rally 04 is due in NZ in late April on PC and already available on Xbox and PS2.

King of Fighters Website Opens
Posted by M @ 11:54 p.m. NZST

SNK NeoGeo has has launched the official fan site for the first original The King of Fighters title for PlayStation 2, www.kofi.com. This will be the top source for new information about KOF: Maximum Impact, the first 3D version of one of the most popular fighting game series in the history of video games. The website will be stocked and constantly updated with new information, screenshots and movies for KOF: Maximum Impact. Additionally, the website will be the spot where SNK will unveil brand new characters for the series.

Maximum Impact will ship in Q4 and is the first KOF title to be designed specifically for the PlayStation 2 rather than being based on any existing SNK KOF arcade edition.

"We recognise that the video game category is evolving. We've created KOF: Maximum Impact in recognition of that expansion, commented Ben Herman, SNK NeoGeo president. "Now our fans will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds. In addition to incredible 3D versions of many of our gaming franchises, we will continue to develop our 2D arcade licenses as well. With our announcement to begin development for the Sammy Atomiswave arcade system we are looking to advance our capabilities for our 2D fans. We will continue to develop the best games that we can for our loyal fan base- in both 2D and 3D."

Game Storyline:

The annual King of Fighters tournament is set to begin in one week. As the gala festivities begin, turf wars are breaking out among the underworld street gangs. The conflict is so severe that it threatens to drag the participants of the KOF tournament into the fray. The honor and tradition of the tournament is at stake. The gangs must be stopped at all costs.

Features:

• First ever 3D KOF title, developed specifically for the PlayStation® 2
• Five exciting modes of play featuring Story Mode, VS Battle, Survival, Practice and Training
• A total of 24 incredible SNK characters featuring 14 returning favorites mixed with 6 all new to the franchise and 4 hidden bonus characters
• Enhanced character movement including the all new sideways feature and 4 different jump moves
• Spectacular combo moves specific to each character to inflict massive damage
• Attack your opponent and send him airborne with the new Knock Back Attach feature

NZ Brings D-Day Add-on for Combat Flight Sim 3
Posted by M @ 11:33 p.m. NZST

GMX Media has today announced that it has secured the worldwide rights to D-Day 1944, an add-on for Microsoft Combat Flight Sim 3.

Released in time for the 60th anniversary of the invasion, D-Day 1944 is the work of an international team from Canada, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. With new aircraft, new sound, new effects, new scenery and new campaigns, D-Day 1944 captures the flavor of those spring days that saw the beginning of liberation for Europe.

An in-game movie has also been released that will show gamers what they are in store for at http://www.gmxmedia.net/dday/downloads/.

The single missions track the D-Day campaign battle by battle: the Allied landings and the battle for Caen; the battle for Villers-Bocage, and then the American race across the Cotentin Peninsula. The historical divisions and weapons are in place, and the map moves day by day as it did in the actual battle. But watch out - the weather turns bad on June 18th and Allied supplies grow suddenly thin.

D-Day 1944 features 120 single missions arranged in four linear campaigns, beginning with the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. The linear campaigns are available for American, British, Canadian or New Zealand aircraft flying the P47D, Mosquito FB VI, the Tempest Mk V, or the Spitfire Mk IX respectively. The dynamic campaign allows a broader selection of aircraft, and spans 86 days with three missions per day for a total of 378 missions in this complete package.

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Pacific Storm
Posted by M @ 10:54 p.m. NZST

Not to be outdone by Electronic Arts in bringing WWII action from this part of the world, Lesta Studio is working on an RTS/war game scheduled for release in Q1 2005 on PC, Pacific Storm.

On December 7, 1941, a major part of the U.S. Pacific navy stationed at Pearl Harbor was assaulted by Japanese planes. Japanese fighters were destroying American aircraft on land and in the air, without giving them a chance for a counterattack.

The furious battle of Pearl Harbor became the first in the sequence of gory sea combats.

Now you can take part in all major Pacific battles of the World War II in the Pacific Storm game that is a mixture of RTS, war-game and simulator. All major and important sea battles of World War II, which took place in the Pacific Ocean, are included and you can play either for the USA or Japan.

Mine the resources (money, iron and nickel ore, bauxites and oil), train various units and retaliate!

Sink'em all!

Key Features:

• Detailed 3D models of war machines, including battleships, aircraft-carriers, destroyers, cruisers and rocket cruisers, submarines, torpedo boats, tankers, cargo ships and transports, fighters, attack planes, torpedo-bombers, strategic bombers, reconnaissance planes, land cannons and antiaircraft guns - all designed according to drafts from historical archives and 100% comply with the historical reality;
• A wide system of upgrades including the option of producing nuclear or bacteriological weapons;
• Total freedom of strategic and tactical decisions;
• First-person view available (while taking control of a plane or a submarine);
• Units gain experience and can be carried from battle to battle without losing their experience and characteristics;
• Realistic 3D landscapes and weather conditions - mist, storm, rain;
• Multiplayer via LAN supports battles on the tactical map and in the simulation mode.

The Other Ultimate Racer on Track, Demo Pending
Posted by M @ 11:18 a.m. NZST

SimBin has announced its upcoming standalone GT racer, GTR - The Ultimate Racing Game, is on track for a mid-year release. GTR is based on the popular GT mod for EA's F1 2002, the brilliant Formula 1 PC sim.

SimBin has promised a GTR demo will be available in a few weeks, and Gameplanet will have full run-down on the game this week along with some more screenshots.

In the meantime, more information and two audio downloads is currently available at www.simbin.com.

Electronic Arts has slashed the RRP of several key titles across PC, Xbox and PS2.

The PC, Xbox and PlayStation 2 Red Hot Range includes Freedom Fighters, Rugby 2004, Soul Calibur 2, SSX 3, Battlefied 1942, Sim City 4, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault and more.

EA has also reduced the entire Sims range, with games now priced from $19.95.

The price cut comes days after Microsoft reduced the RRP of several key titles including Counter-Strike, Project Gotham Racing 2 and Crimson Skies to accompany its Xbox console price cuts, incuding the Elite Force Pack with clear green console and Halo.

8 comments

Far Cry Shipping
Posted by M @ 10:59 a.m. NZST

GPstore has sent out pre-orders for Far Cry for arrival tomorrow morning along with the nation-wide instore release.

There will also be a DVD-ROM version available next week.

"You are Jack Carver, running your own boat charter business in beautiful Micronesia. With a past best left behind you, you'll be focusing on your present assignment: escorting an ambitious journalist named Valerie Cortez to the island of Cabatu. It seems like a piece of cake, but you'll soon learn: paradise can be hell.

Experience a new style of FPS gameplay featuring massive outdoors environments and unprecedented long-range gameplay."

Check out GPstore News for the latest daily product release updates in games, music, DVDs and more.

Yesterday - Lords of the Realm III release update, new anime DVD releases, Painkiller goes gold, more.

Rockstar Working on Warriors Title
Posted by M @ 10:16 a.m. NZST

Take-Two has announced the latest PlayStation 2 project from Rockstar Games, based on Walter Hill's 1979 cult film The Warriors.

As in the film, the storyline of the game takes place at night, underground, in the sub-culture of gang warfare that rages from Coney Island to Manhattan to the Bronx. Rockstar says the Warriors game is as intense and stylised as the cult film it pays homage to.

"A battle of gigantic proportions is looming in the neon underground of New York City. The army of the night numbers 100,000 strong, and tonight they're all after the 'Warriors' - a street gang wrongly accused of killing a rival gang leader. The Warriors must make their way from one end of New York to their turf on the other side of the city. All that stands between the Warriors and their survival are 20 miles and thousands of street gang members. The army of gangs owns the streets and there's no turning back, the Warriors must fight for their lives and learn the meaning of loyalty as danger and uncertainty emerges from the city night.

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Pacific Fighters Announced
Posted by @ 9:09 a.m. NZST

Ubisoft has released details of a new flight simulation in the works by the team that created IL-2: Forgotten Battles and the upcoming Aces expansion pack.

Pacific Fighters is the first Pacific-based WWII sim since Microsoft's excellent CFS2 four years, and will allow the player to fight the campaign from either the American, Japanaese, British, or Australian perspective. As well as the 40+ flyable aircraft, Pacific Fighters will include 16 new maps including Pearl Harbor, Singapore and Guadalcanal. Based on the IL-2 engine, many improvements are planned. The greatest addition naval aviation enthusiasts will be please to hear is the addition of carrier opperations.

"Players will appreciate the variety of famous fighters, however, in this title more than any previous Maddox sim, we're emphasising flyable bombers such as the SBD Dauntless, Aichi Val, Mitsubishi G4M Betty, and at least four versions of the North American B-25 Mitchell," said producer Ilya Shevchenko.

Pacific Fighters is due for release around November. You can bet we will be keep a close eye on development until then.

For more information, visit the official IL-2 website, and check out www.pacific-fighters.com.

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Microsoft Takes Year off for Sports Titles
Posted by M @ 12:37 a.m. NZST

Microsoft has confirmed it will delay updates to its XSN Sports franchises until 2005 in response to negative consumer feedback and the "quality gap" between some of its in-house and competing EA Sports and ESPN titles.

Kevin Browne, XSN Sports Studio Manager, said genre leaders Top Spin and Links were not necessarily the kind of title to receive annual updates but acknowledged other titles needed more time to improve.

"We're not going to ship a [new] set of games because there are areas that we definitely need to work on, from graphics to control. There are areas that we definitely need to take advantage of in terms of the console's architecture. We haven't done a serious re-architecturing of the games since we initially launched on the platform, and as you know, when watching games that have been built subsequent to the initial shipment of the console, there's a heck of a lot more that you can do when you have time," said Browne.

Browne confirmed the existing online leagues will remain up for previous titles.

Dev-Chat this Sunday
Posted by M @ 12:12 a.m. NZST

Majorem Ltd and the Stratics Massively Multiplayer Gaming Network Stratics Massively Multiplayer Gaming Network are pleased to announce a dev-chat with the developers of Ballerium, the massive multiplayer strategy game.

The chat will be held on Sunday, April 4th at 6PM GMT in #BalleriumHoC on the Stratics IRC servers. The topics will be "Ballerium - Beta in progress" and discussion on the game's current development status.

To determine the chat time in your local timezone, you can refer to http://www.worldtimezone.com. Make sure to consider the DST changes as applies.

To connect to one of the Stratics IRC servers you need to download an IRC client (mIRC, pirch, Ircle, or one of your favorite linux clients) and have it connect to irc.stratics.com port 6667 or, alternatively, to one of the following servers, preferably the one closest to you:

irc.frws.com port 6667 USA - Colorado

irc.glowfish.de port 6667/6668/7000 EU - Germany

irc.epaxsys.net port 6667/6668/7000 USA - Colorado

Once you are connected, you can join the #BalleriumHoC channel by typing /join #BalleriumHoC

Ballerium is a fully persistent MMORTS (Massive Multiplayer online Real-Time Strategy Game) that's currently in beta. In developing the game, Majorem is using its revolutionary OPIUM technology to create a fully persistent world that is able to theoretically handle an infinite number of players. Ballerium looks to be an innovative new entry to the massively multiplayer gaming market, providing players with never before experienced levels of persistence and control.