The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass for the DS

What do you get when you combine the world’s best-selling video game system, the Nintendo DSâ„¢, with one of Nintendo’s best-loved franchises, Zelda? An epic new adventure that satisfies longtime fans but draws in new players with intuitive touch-screen controls. Launching Oct. 1, The Legend of Zelda®: Phantom Hourglass, complete with crisp 3-D cartoon graphics and multiplayer battles over Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, marks the debut of the franchise on Nintendo DSâ„¢.

“Since 1987 The Legend of Zelda franchise has sold more than 52 million units worldwide,” says George Harrison, Nintendo of America’s senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. “The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass stays true to the richness of the console Zelda franchise while introducing new controls that allow veterans and first-time gamers to become fully immersed in the adventure.”

The game involves legendary hero Link and Tetra, the leader of a band of pirates, as they discover a ghost ship in dense fog. Link falls into the ocean when Tetra gets into trouble, and he wakes up alone on the shore of a mysterious island. Throughout the game, Link collects sand for his Phantom Hourglass, which allows him to explore deeper and deeper into a time-limited dungeon in his quest to find Tetra.

You can play the entire game with only the Nintendo DS touch screen. Walk up to characters and tap them to start a conversation. Slash your stylus across the touch screen to swing Link’s sword. If players touch an enemy with the stylus, Link attacks. Players can even navigate their ship or set a route for their boomerang simply by drawing a path on the touch screen.

The robust single-player adventure will have Zelda veterans and newcomers alike engrossed by the story as they move through the game with the stylus. A special two-player battle mode lets players connect locally or via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. One player controls Link as he tries to gather as many Force Gems as possible, while the other player manages the enemies who pursue Link. The replayability of these winner-take-all matches is virtually endless.

In both style and characters, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass echoes the smash-hit The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wakerâ„¢ for Nintendo GameCubeâ„¢, which sold more than 2.2 million in the United States alone. But the inviting, easy-to-understand story and ease of control will attract casual and younger players who might be new to Zelda games.

As a special bonus for Nintendo’s rewards club, My Nintendo members who register the game and their Nintendo DS hardware at MyNintendo.com and fill out a short survey will receive a special Nintendo DS stylus that looks like an old-fashioned quill pen, modeled after an item in the game (subject to availability).

Brain game pulled in UK Over Derogatory Term

The problem emerged after a Belfast woman contacted BBC Radio Ulster’s Nolan Show. Nicola told the show she had been playing the game - aimed at ages three and above - to pass the time while in hospital giving birth to her baby son, Austin, four weeks ago.

It was a fraught time for the young mother, who had lost her other son, Logan, just before Christmas. The three-year-old - who suffered from cerebral palsy and was severely brain damaged - passed away after contracting pneumonia. Nicola was shocked when she had performed poorly at one part of the game and it rated her efforts in a manner derogatory to the disabled. For the Full Story View it here.

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution for Console systems

Take-Two Interactive Software announced today that it will publish Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, the first next generation game designed by world famous game designer Sid Meier. Slated for a spring 2008 release for next generation consoles and handhelds, Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution is being developed by Firaxis Gamesâ„¢, 2K’s world-renowned development studio.

Sid Meier put computer gaming on the map when he delivered Civilization® to the gaming world, launching the “God Game” genre and creating one of the most award-winning and addictive strategy series of all time, including Sid Meier’s Civilization IV™, the Gamespy and GameSpot 2005 Game of the Year. Driven by sheer passion for the game concept, Meier is now handcrafting a brand-new Civilization experience designed and built from scratch for next gen consoles and handhelds.

“Civilization Revolution is the game I’ve always wanted to make!” said Sid Meier, Director of Creative Development at Firaxis Games. “We are excited to take advantage of the power of next generation consoles and the ingenuity of handhelds, to create a great and unique strategy game for newcomers to the series, as well as the millions of fans around the world who enjoy Civilization on the PC.”

In Civilization, players strive to become ruler of the world by establishing and leading a civilization from the dawn of man into the space age - waging war, conducting diplomacy, discovering technologies, going head-to-head with some of history’s greatest leaders, and building the most powerful empire the world has ever known.

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution is a watershed game, offering players a chance to experience the epic empire-building world of Civilization in an all new accessible, visually immersive, and action-packed world specifically designed for the console and handheld gamer. Delivering Civilization’s renowned epic single-player campaigns featuring vast re-playability and unmatched addictive gameplay as well as revolutionary features like real-time interaction with leaders and advisors, extensive multiplayer capabilities and integrated video and voice chat, it will completely transport the Civilization series to a level of gameplay that fans have never seen before.

“Civilization is one of the world’s top selling PC game series with more than 8 million units sold, and continues to be recognized as one of the greatest franchises ever created,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We are excited to have Sid Meier getting back to his roots as the game’s Lead Designer to carry on its legacy with Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution.”

Some of the key features that will resonate with fans of strategy games and the Civilization franchise include 16 civilizations to master and lead to victory, an array of famous historical leaders to play as or compete against, and accessible maps and streamlined time scale for quicker games, intense combat, and constant action. In online multiplayer mode, players will compete for world conquest and glory among their peers as they battle in teams, head-to-head or epic free-for-all matches. In addition, auto-matching, ranked games, leaderboards, achievements, downloadable extra content and integrated video and voice chat make the online play more versatile and fun than any previous version of Civilization and will allow players to see where they stand against the competition. Finally, the position of ruler of the world can be settled online.

Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution will be released in spring 2008 for next generation consoles and handhelds.

Video Games Console ‘Chipping’ Criminals BUSTED

Yesterday saw the successful launch of a new multifaceted crime-fighting initiative in which three people from the North East of England were put under investigation for producing and selling modified games chips and ‘chipped’ Nintendo® Wii™ and DS™, Microsoft® 360™ and Xbox®, and Sony® PlayStation®2 and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) consoles.

In a radical new departure for the way anti-piracy operations are handled, Police officers from the Cleveland Police Economic Crime Unit in conjunction with Stockton Police, two Trading Standards authorities and members of ELSPA (the Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association) Anti-Piracy Unit, joined forces to hit three premises simultaneously.

The raids: two at separate addresses in the Billingham area and another in Lingdale were carried out at 7:30 yesterday morning, where an Aladdin’s Cave of illegal ‘chipping’ equipment, counterfeit and pirated games plus other infringing items were seized.

I do not have a problem with Mod ‘Chipping’ I like Mod Chips. I have one on my Xbox not for using pirated games, but for using EvolutionX menu system and functions. At the Time my son was 8 when I did this and well, he was not the best for taking care of his game CDs. With the help of the mod chip I was able to make back ups of his games and place them on the hard drive. I can play Homebrew games along with using it as a media player (Scheduled recording, fast forward, rewind, pause Live TV, almost like a TiVo).

It appears that at least two of the three suspects questioned were offering pirated games for sale over the Internet and a significant quantity of advanced electronic devices and chips that allow counterfeit gaming to be played on almost every current console; they were also selling illegal copies of the games themselves.

Prevention and disruption of illegal Internet trading is now the number one priority for all UK economic crime authorities, where traders of counterfeit goods and pirates have been operating with relative anonymity and virtually unchallenged. Criminals operating on the Internet or in the marketplace now face tough and effective counter-measures to deny them opportunities to profit from the sale of counterfeit goods and the theft of Intellectual Property.

Mod ‘Chipping’ should not ever be considered a crime. Its your game system you can drop it off the roof if you want and no one should care. Its only a crime when you use it to pirate games. I know the downfall of all the people busted in the raids, is that they also sold pirated games and that’s a NO NO. The mind set of people is that “Well if it can be used to pirate games then, Oh my that must be what you are doing with it”. That would be like saying “You own a gun you must be robbing people with it”. IT does not work that way folks. A DVR with a DVD recorder in it can be used to copy a movie off HBO. Should they be outlawed as well since you could sell them? IT is the game corps using the “I will Burn the town down to get the 1 person I really want” approach.

Sonic RPG Game For The Nintendo DS! WTF?

SEGA® of America, Inc. and Canada-based developer studio BioWare® Corp. today announced a partnership to create a new video game based on the classic SEGA flagship icon, Sonic The Hedgehog. The exact name of the game is undetermined, but this new title developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS will ship in 2008.

“BioWare is one of the hottest names in RPG development in the world,” said Simon Jeffery, President and COO, SEGA of America, Inc. “Everyone at SEGA has huge confidence that Sonic is in the safest of hands, and that BioWare can create the ultimate handheld RPG experience for gamers of all ages.”

BioWare is the award-winning independent developer that has created some of the world’s best-selling titles including the Baldur’s Gateâ„¢ and Neverwinter Nightsâ„¢ series, the 2003 Game of the Year, Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢ and the 2005 RPG of the Year, Jade Empire.â„¢ BioWare is currently developing one of the most anticipated next-generation titles of 2007, Mass Effect.â„¢

“We’re thrilled to be working with SEGA on Sonic, one of the industry’s most enduring and compelling icons,” said Greg Zeschuk, president of BioWare. “As huge fans of Sonic ourselves, we’re committed to delivering a truly amazing story-driven experience within the Sonic universe, focusing on capturing the character’s broad appeal and placing him in a completely original adventure,” added Ray Muzyka, chief executive officer of BioWare.

The relationship with BioWare reinforces SEGA’s increased emphasis on Western content development for Western audiences. In the past few years SEGA has announced partnerships with developers Bizarre Creations, Gas Powered Games, Monolith Productions, Obsidian Entertainment, Planet Moon Studios, Pseudo Interactive and Silicon Knights. SEGA has also acquired development studios The Creative Assembly, Secret Level and Sports Interactive.

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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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.

Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command for the Sony PSP

Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command marks the first time that the brutal, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe will be playable on the PSP. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command features fast, action-packed combat through turn-based strategy and an engaging, authentic single-player storyline.

Gamers play as the elite Space Marines of the Ultramarines chapter and strive to combat the encroaching evil of the ruthless and daemonic influenced Chaos Space Marines through 13 cinematically-tied missions. With a robust multiplayer mode featuring 9 unique missions, gamers will team up and go head-to-head with other gamers worldwide as either the Imperium of Man or Chaos Space Marines, ensuring hours of unique replayability.

Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command will also fully utilize all the portable functionality of the PSP, bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to life on handheld.

Features:

• Compelling single player game consisting of 13 unique missions
• 9 unique multiplayer maps for Local or Global games, with small, medium and large map variants to cater for games from 2 to 8 players
• Fully destructible, real time 3D battlefields mean that no two games will be the same
• Pick from two Space Marine chapters or two Chaos Space Marine Legions to play as in Multiplayer games, in battles between Imperium vs. Imperium, Forces of Chaos vs. Forces of Chaos, or Imperium vs. Forces of Chaos
• Over 20 ranged and close combat weapons taken directly from the Warhammer 40,000 universe, including the Bolter, Plasma Gun, Chainsword and Power Fist