France Bans BlackBerry’s in the Government

I just have to ask why the hell would we spy on France? Since when did the U.S. Gov really care what the french was doing? Oh wait could it have been the ties to Iroq and Syria…. hmmm

BlackBerry handhelds have been called addictive, invasive, wonderful — and now, a threat to French state secrets.

That, at least, is the fear of French government defense experts, who have advised against their use by officials in France’s corridors of power, reportedly to avoid snooping by U.S. intelligence agencies.

“It’s not a question of trust,” French lawmaker Pierre Lasbordes told The Associated Press. “We are friends with the Americans, the Anglo-Saxons, but it’s economic war.”

People forget what it’s like to be a KID - “Bring on the Noise!”

Some Long Island kids having fun was unwelcome noise, and some Long Island neighborhood residents wanted two neighborhood girls playing in a backyard pool to pipe down.

The complaints fell on deaf ears Wednesday night when Bayville’s acting village justice dismissed a summons accusing the girls’ parents, William and Rachel Poczatek, of violating a village noise ordinance.

“I think the village did the right thing,” William Poczatek said.

Poczatek said he was shocked when he and his wife were slapped with a summons. Sure, he said, Ashley, 11, and 5-year-old Chloe make noise when they’re outside enjoying their aboveground swimming pool.

“What, are you telling me that a kid can’t make noise?” he protested. “It’s not fair.”

The Poczateks were cleared because the ordinance is usually reserved for “the shouting and crying of peddlers, hawkers and vendors, which disturbs the peace and quiet of the neighborhood,” their attorney said.

Celebrity Judges For Guitar Hero II Competitions

The World Series of Video Games (WSVG), Presented by Intel, announced today that Mötley Crüe’s Vince Neil leads the pack of special guest judges that will evaluate “Guitar Hero II” competitors. Attendees can look forward to seeing the legendary heavy metal icon at the finals of the upcoming Dallas event July 5-8 at the Gaylord Texan Resort.

Video game industry experts at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville this weekend will be MTV Style VJ Coltrane Curtis, legendary video game composer Tommy Tallarico, and Becky “Aktrez” Young, Leading Lady of the Girl Gaming Network. In Dallas, video game journalist and host Geoff Keighley and PC GameSpy.com’s editor-in-chief Sal “Sluggo” Accardo will assist Vince Neil with the judging. Additional judges for later events will be announced at a later date.

“It was clear from the beginning that we would need to call in the experts to separate the rookies from the rock stars,” said Matthew Ringel, president and commissioner of the World Series of Video Games. “We are committed to creating a video game tournament that is as fun for spectators as it is for participants. Our new judging format will help deliver the same immediacy and fun to Guitar Hero II competition as some of the most highly-watched music shows on television.”

At each event, the judges will score competitors based on accuracy, difficulty and in an interesting twist, showmanship! All areas of performances will be evaluated; from the ability to work the crowd, put together a unique and thought-out set and the precision of strumming and ripping.

More than $60,000 in cash prizing will be up for grabs in “Guitar Hero II” competition and a total of $750,000 will be awarded in cash and travel at this year’s World Series of Video Games, Presented by Intel circuit. Highlights from the competitions will air nationally on CBS Sports as part of four hour-long WSVG specials. Each episode will include segments on the competitors, as well as extensive competition footage for the featured titles, which include Activision’s “Guitar Hero IIT,” Blizzard Entertainment®’s “World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade®”, and “EA SPORTST Fight Night Round 3.”

Summer Release dates from Nintendo

As we move into summer Nintendo is launching a range of games which will keep everyone from hardcore gamers to complete newcomers entertained. The unprecedented success of the Nintendo DS has helped to expand the gaming audience more than ever before and is the fastest selling console to reach the 10 million mark in European history, now with sales of almost 12 million, while the newly released Wii has already sold approximately 2 million in Europe since launch. Now Nintendo’s already strong software line-up is being bolstered even further by a selection of new titles launching in the third quarter of 2007.
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AVENCAST: Rise of the Mage RPG Preview and Screenshots

AVENCAST: Rise of the Mage, a upcoming Action/RPG game for PC.

GAME SUMMARY

What’s unique about AVENCAST: Rise of the Mage? It effectively balances both combat and non-combat interactions for a perfect combination of both brains and brawn. By drawing from player-skilled action games like shooters and beat-em-ups, and combining those elements with the game mechanics of an RPG, Avencast offers players the excitement of crafting a powerful character, but also requires them to bring their own skills to unleash their hero’s potential. The game will bring a refreshing new approach to the present action RPG genre given its combat system that favors skillful gameplay over dull mouse clicking. But, Avencast is not only about combat. There are strong adventure elements involving numerous perilous quests, scouring vast environments for powerful items, solving riddles, and engaging with various NPC’s to advance the compelling story.

The player begins their journey as an adept attending the renowned magic academy – Avencast – a place of learning in a world of wizardry, wonder and untold mystery. As an apprentice, the player is expected to complete a number of diverse quests to hone their skills in potions, spell casting, weaponry, and melee combat. As the story unravels, your character’s purpose becomes clear –
things at the academy are not as they appear and when Avencast is descended upon by demonic hordes the very survival of his world is at stake. Armed with over 60 different combat moves and spells, and over one hundred different equipment items plus variations, the player must fight various nightmarish creatures and transcend dimensions into the past. The intriguing plot thickens revealing treachery, deceit, the tragic destiny of a forgotten people, and an astonishing truth that will forever change the battle scarred Wizard.

FEATURES

• Many hours of exciting gameplay set in diverse worldsOver 30 Fantasy Based Monsters with Advanced A.I.– Each with their own combat strategies, attacks, and defensive moves, their reactions are dependant upon the player’s behavior, attack strategy, and even health
• Strong Player Personification – In third person view, the character’s appearance changes as they acquire new equipment, armor, and weapons
• State-of-the-art 3D Engine not only allows for a fluid combat system but also generates special lighting and shadowing effects for a fully engaging experience. Players are immersed into ominous settings like dark dungeons with looming pillars and large corridors; creatures are more imposing with their highly detailed silhouettes
• Learn Special Moves from Different Skill Trees – Blood Magic (elementally charged blows with varying speeds, ranges, and damage properties) and Soul Magic (covers all kinds of ranged magic spells allowing better area control) – both allow players to summon reinforcements during combat
• An RPG by mechanics, but also a game that can be enjoyed by a broad range of players – RPG, Action, and Adventure

Spaceforce – Rouge Universe Screenshots and Game Info

JoWooD is pleased to announce that the release of the Spaceforce – Rogue Universe demo was a great success. The game ranked on top of many most wanted lists during the last couple weeks. At the moment, Provox Games is working on several improvements and little fixes based on feedback from players and press. Changes will be ready for the release of the German, Italian and French version and available per download for the UK version.

New improvements are:

• Fixed bug where resolution couldn’t be changed
• Added support for 1440×900 resolution
• Added support for 1280×800 resolution
• Durability cost changed to 1500 c
• Pirate first class is now more balanced (first mission also)
• Fixed joystick bug where thruster is turned on by default for all joysticks
• EMP now takes 20 units of the shield
• Fixed bug where the game freezes (all ships stay on one place)
• Fixed bug where player shield suddenly become undefined
• Fixed bug with infinite motion blur
• Illegal cargo for the current system we are in is now colored red in inventory
• Crafting screen is now available in inventory (only for crafting info)
• Crafting screen is now available in repository (only for crafting info)
• Easy mode is now much easier
• Added support for 8x antialiasing mode (NVIDIA 8xxx series card)
• Fixed problem with missing piece of time and cloak device in Andromeda and Pyxis map
• When the player hits other objects the bounce power is now lower

About Spaceforce – Rogue Universe

Experience the most beautiful, open ended space simulation game ever created for PC. Play as a starship pilot and discover the universe with one of 14 different powerful ships. More than 2000 missions are waiting in 46 star systems in the Milky Way galaxy.

Discover, trade and fight your way through the galaxy – it is up to you to become one of the most famous or infamous pilots in all known space… it’s your life get out there…

Features:

• An open ended beautiful and innovative 3D space environment; decorated with stars, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, star bases, floating cities and all ready for exploration, development, trade, diplomacy, or conflict.
• Player is able to explore the galaxy as a member of one of 10 civilizations placed on different starting locations across the universe
• Non-stop action with a wealth of star vessels within beautiful constellations make SpaceForce-Rogue Universe an intriguing and exiting space game
• True 64 bit HDR rendering if card supports it, HDR fresnel, HDR specular, HDR bloom and glow, star effect, tone mapping (adaptive exposure), HDR antialiasing, blue shift
• Each ship can be modified in your own creative style by upgrading: speed, target system, jammer, shield, armour, weaponry, afterburner, cargo space and weight

Sonic Rivals 2 exclusively for the PSP

Sonic Rivals™ 2 is in development exclusively for the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. Building upon the success of Sonic Rivals™, which saw Sonic The Hedgehog and friends race head to head through wildly twisting tracks at breakneck speed, this latest version, Sonic Rivals 2, will speed onto shelves in Autumn 2007.

The sequel to Sonic’s fast and furious 3D action platformer, has several new features to enhance the player’s experience. A revamped rival “jostling” gameplay system allows for closer head-to-head competition, whilst rivalry is further improved with upgraded power-ups and range weapons allowing players to attack or defend themselves regardless of their position. A brand new Battle mode allows two players to jump into six different multiplayer challenges by sharing just one disc using the PSP system’s Wi-Fi function.

Miles “Tails” Prower and other new characters have been added to the mix of characters available to play as, whilst the new single player Free Play mode will allow players to enjoy each level at their own pace. Each character in the game will also have their own unique signature moves that fit their varied personalities.

Card trading and collection in Sonic Rivals 2 has been greatly increased and will now include 150 collectible cards. This will enable players to customise character’s track suits, as well as unlocking new PSP backgrounds and Cup Circuits.

SEGA Rally Info

Developer: SEGA Racing Studio
Format: PS3, XB360, PC
Genre: Racing
Release date: Autumn 2007

GAME OVERVIEW
The introduction of SEGA Rally to the arcades in 1995 had the single biggest impact on the racing genre. Subsequent console rally games concentrated on a realistic simulation of the sport, but their popularity, reflected in sales, steadily dropped over the last decade. Now, SEGA Rally is back and set to reinvigorate the genre with the vital ingredients that many of the modern racers lack – fun, character and beauty, with few rally games able to match its unique and rewarding experience. Rally’s dead, long live SEGA Rally.

DEFORMATION
The all new SEGA Rally retains all the pedigree of the 1995 arcade classic, whilst using all the resources available in the cutting edge next-gen hardware. One major innovation in the game which until now, no developer has managed to achieve - straining even the considerable computing power available today - is proper deformable track surfaces.

DEFORMABLE SURFACES, WHAT PLAYERS GET FROM IT.
As with the original SEGA Rally arcade cabinet, in single player mode the new SEGA Rally is about racing successive laps of the track against a number of opponents. Although, this time as well as AI players, players can race each other online or head to head.

As players race each successive lap in the game, they and their competitors churn and wear the track leaving a scrubbed or rutted track surface behind. Unlike other games which have tricked players into believing they’re cutting up the track with visual trickery, SEGA Rally really is deforming the surface and this will affect the gameplay in a number of ways.

As well as learning the race tracks to gain split-second advantages, players will start to see, hear and feel nuances in taking one racing line or another. For example, players might see a contour made by another car through some gravel, which if they follow will help them gain speed, whereas if they take a fresh route through the gravel it could potentially slow them down. It’s these gameplay elements that give extra depth, is what players expect from a next-gen console and is something no game has done before.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Trailer

Valve Announces Major Update for Steam

Looks like Valve will be adding some new things to Steam. I sure wish they would fix the old problems first.

This summer Valve will ship a major update to its online gaming platform Steam, introducing an advanced set of community features to more than 13 million gamers around the world.

Beginning in July, Steam users can set up their own personal Steam pages and profiles, create and join groups, schedule games with friends, review who they’ve played with, see how well everyone played, chat with groups, chat via voice, and more. These new community services and features can be used with all Steam games, which include new releases and classic titles from leading publishers and independent developers.

Free of charge, the new community features will be accessible via the Steam desktop client and via the web.

“Our community has given us great direction on the ways they want to see Steam evolve,” said Gabe Newell, co-founder and president of Valve. “Adding these new community features to make it easier to connect with other gamers is something we’ve wanted to see on Steam for a long time and this latest update is just the start. We’ve got a long list of items that we’re working on to make it easier for gamers to connect and play games on Steam.”

This upgrade marks the largest extension to the Steam platform since its first commercial release in March 2004. In its three year history, Steam has defined the next generation online gaming platform delivering hundreds of games to millions of users with services such as Guest Passes, Automatic Updates, Free Weekends, and allowing gamers to access their games from any PC.