EA Opens It’s Doors In Russia

Electronic Arts Inc., the world’s leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment, today announced the creation of a new EA entity in Russia. The new office, established to directly serve Russian consumers and retailers, is another step in the company’s growth strategy in Central and Eastern Europe and adds to EA’s global presence in over 40 markets outside of North America. EA intends to contribute to the rapidly growing market for interactive entertainment in Russia. The Moscow-based team will focus on bringing more localized game offerings to Russian players, more direct engagement with the gaming community and greater collaboration with retail partners.

At an event planned later today in Moscow, EA will host members of the government, industry and media to outline plans for bringing the best and latest innovations in interactive entertainment to Russia. Later this year, two of EA’s most popular franchises among Russian consumers, Need for Speed and FIFA Football, will launch in fully localized Russian versions for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, adding to the company’s existing portfolio of games localized in Russian for the PC.

“Russia represents a significant opportunity for the games industry,” said Peter Laughton, EA Vice President and General Manager of Central and Eastern Europe. “This is a very dynamic marketplace, with a world class retail environment and consumers who have the intellect and appetite for interactive entertainment. We’re looking forward to bringing tailored offerings to Russian consumers that incorporate local language, music, and celebrities into some of our most popular titles”.

The Russian video game market is estimated at $250 million today, and is expected to more than double in the next three to five years. An increasing number of gaming consoles, PCs and game-enabled mobile phones will encourage the trend, along with compelling games content and a vibrant retail environment.

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe PreView Screenshots

Publisher: Activision, Inc.
Developer: Next Level Games (Xbox 360, Wii, PS2) Artificial Mind & Movement (NDS, PSP) Beenox (PC)
Release Date: Fall 2007
SRP: TBD (Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, NDS, PC)
ESRB Rating: “E10+” (Everyone 10 and older – Cartoon Violence) – Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, NDS, PC
“RP” (Rating Pending) – PSP

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
Inspired by the Spider-Man film trilogy and the classic Spider-Man comics, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe challenges players to defeat and then join forces with notorious movie nemeses including Doc Ock, Green Goblin, Venom and Sandman, and embark on an epic quest to overcome a worldwide evil threat. Throughout the game’s original story and thrilling battles, fans control Spider-Man and one of numerous Super Hero or Super Villain sidekicks and master unique fighting moves and styles while switching between characters to execute team combos and defeat foes. For the first time ever in a Spider-Man game, Spider-Man: Friend or Foe features a unique co-op mode in which a friend can join the game at any time and take control of Spider-Man’s sidekick as they battle through the game side-by-side and replay favorite levels.

KEY FEATURES:

Spider-Man: Friend or Foe allows players to choose a sidekick from Spider-Man’s allies – Pick from a long list of Spider-Man’s powerful allies, like Blade and Iron Fist, and swap between the web-slinger and the chosen sidekicks at any time during gameplay. Each sidekick, good or evil, features their own unique attributes and powers that will assist Spider-Man throughout the game’s challenges.

Fight against movie Super Villains and then alongside them in Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – Using an innovative combat system, face off against and defeat some of the Spider-Man movies’ most notorious Super Villains such as Doc Ock, Sandman and Green Goblin, and then convert them to join Spidey’s list of potential sidekicks.

In Spider-Man: Friend or Foe, gamers team up in two-player co-op – A unique co-op mode lets friends join the game at any time and take control of Spider-Man’s sidekick. Playing in two-player co-op mode allows gamers to discover new ways to overcome obstacles and enemies. As players progress through the game, battle arenas are unlocked where raw one-on-one brawling with any Super Hero or Villain can take place at any time.

Come back for more, again and again, with Spider-Man: Friend or Foe – Replay the game or experience Versus mode with a different sidekick and eventually play as Black-Suited Spider-Man (Spidey’s darker, more aggressive persona) featuring unique powers and abilities. Throughout the different worlds, a host of secret areas containing special tokens can be discovered in the first play through, which players can go back and explore at any time. Gamers can also uncover a variety of hidden items scattered throughout the game which unlock collectables, powers and mini-games.

Universal Orlando To Host 2007 WCG USA National Finals

The World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized blue chip leader for international video game competitions, today announced that Universal Orlando Resort is the official venue for the 2007 WCG USA Championship: National Final. From September 14th - 16th, America’s best gamers will square off in Universal Studios’ Soundstage # 33 on eleven (11) top video game titles for the chance to take home a share of more than $100,000 in cash and prizes. More importantly, twenty-two WCG USA National Final gold and silver medalists will earn coveted spots on TEAM USA, where they will compete against the world’s best players at the WCG 2007 Grand Final in Seattle, Washington this October 3rd - 7th (Opening ceremony is on 4th) for a prize purse in excess of half a million dollars and international e-Sports stardom. WCG USA finalists will enjoy the benefits of onsite accommodations at Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort, unlimited admission to the parks and express access to rides and attractions during their stay and access to special hotel and park rates for friends and family. In addition, all gaming fans will be able to access these special rates via a special joint promotion that will soon be available at www.worldcybergames.com/usa and www.universalorlando.com.

The road to the WCG 2007 Grand Final started all over the world earlier this year with Local Qualifiers in over 70 countries, where competitors faced off for spots in their country’s National Championship programs and similar chances to compete for spots with their national teams for the WCG 2007 Grand Final. WCG USA Online Qualifiers will be wrapped up in late July, with live Regional Qualifiers taking place at the following locations:

· WCG USA Atlantic Regional: Samsung Experience (8/4 - 8/5) New York, NY
· WCG USA North Regional: Net Heads (8/4 - 8/5) Indianapolis, IN
· WCG USA South Regional: Mug and Mouse (8/11 - 8/12) Frisco, TX
· WCG USA Pacific Regional: CG Centre (8/11 - 8/12) Irvine, CA

Spectators are invited to witness a who’s who of video gaming’s most talented players as they battle it out at the biggest games on Xbox 360 and PC. In addition, gaming fans and players attending the WCG USA Regional Qualifiers and National Final should be on the look out for the World Cyber Games Circuit City Tour. Circuit City, Samsung and Microsoft, have teamed up to create the ultimate gaming dream machines: Two state-of-the-art motor coaches, decked out with the hottest Xbox and Samsung gaming gear will travel to all six of the WCG’s USA-based live events, starting with all four WCG USA Live Regional Qualifiers.

Just prior to the Live Regionals, special mini-tournaments in certain games, held “right on the bus” at local Circuit City stores on August 2nd - 3rd and 9th - 10th in the WCG USA regional markets will award last chance “wild card” WCG USA berths into the corresponding live regional events. The WCG Tour motor coaches will also be heading to the WCG USA National Final in Orlando and the WCG 2007 Grand Final in Seattle. The tour will make at least 28 stops along the way at Circuit City stores in various WCG event markets. For more information on the WCG Circuit City Tour and a list of eligible wild card games, visit www.circuitcity.com/wcg. Plus check out our live forum on July 29th to chat with gamer/blogger “TriXie” from Xbox live’s TriXie tells all and “MrMilo”, a current WCG champion. You’ll learn what it takes to be a pro gamer and how to get involved in competitions.

New Metal Gear Solid: And It Looks Like Candy. Eye-Candy.

Sorry it’s a tutorial-esque video, not a wham-blam, thankyee mam gameplay vid, but it still showcases the graphics capabilites in the PS3. I am sure Sony will be bending over in front of Konami for this latest offering, that will not appear on the 360.

Well, enjoy, the graphics are just… wow.

And read the comments on that page, the flaming is just HALARIOUS!

Battlefield: Bad Company Preview Information

Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE AB, Stockholm
Ship Date: 2008
Category: First Person Shooter
Game System: PS3 , Xbox 360

Set in the near future, the Battlefield: Bad Company single-player campaign drops gamers into a dramatic Eurasian conflict. As part of a squad of four soldiers, players risk it all to go AWOL on a personal quest, fighting their own war within the war. Featuring a dramatic storyline flavored with attitude, Battlefield: Bad Company leads gamers far from the traditional frontlines on a wild ride with a group of renegade soldiers who decide that sometimes the gratitude of a nation just isn’t enough.

The Battlefield: Bad Company cinematic single-player experience captures the freedom and intensity of the franchise’s legendary multi-player sandbox gameplay in a dynamic world where nearly everything is destructible. Gamers have total freedom to be daring and innovative, adapting to and tackling challenges in unexpected “Battlefield-style” ways. Create sniping positions by blowing out a piece of a wall or drive your tank straight through a small house. The ever-changing battlefield forces players, their teammates and enemies to react accordingly.

The game also features a full suite of the franchise’s trademark multi-player gameplay, supporting 24 players online. Battlefield: Bad Company is the first game built from the ground up for next-generation consoles using DICE’s bleeding-edge Frostbite game engine, delivering unrivaled graphics, effects and gameplay.

Key Features

Cinematic single-player experience – A deep campaign loaded with attitude follows a wayward band of ordinary soldiers who risk it all on a quest for personal gain.

War, your way – Battlefield: Bad Company environments are 90 percent destructible, meaning that any structure can be demolished down to its foundation. Gamers can shape the battlefield to match their play style – the possibilities are literally endless.

New vehicles, weapons and toys – Land, air or sea, dozens of new tools are waiting for explosive experimentation. Battlefield: Bad Company gives gamers the building blocks to get creative and usher in a new era of their own “Battlefield moments”.

Frostbite™ game engine – DICE’s Frostbite game engine raises the bar for next-gen gaming, with stunning HD graphics that bring characters, vehicles, and environments to life like never before.

Genre-defining multiplayer – Support for 24 players online* in a world designed to take full advantage of the game’s massively destructible environments.

True “Through the gun” experience – DICE’s attention to detail is applied to the act of firing a weapon. Dozens of subtle changes to the FPS formula add up to a vastly improved shooting experience.

Activision Is #1!

Activision, Inc. is the #1 third-party U.S. console and handheld publisher for the first six months for this year 2007, according to The NPD Group. The company increased its market share over the six month period to a record 13.7%, a 5.1% increase over the same period last year. Activision is the #1 U.S. publisher on both the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and the PlayStation 2 system, according to The NPD Group. they also ranked as the #1 third-party publisher on the PLAYSTATION3 system and the Nintendo platforms in the U.S.

“Our record performance was fueled by strong sales of our proven franchises Guitar Hero II, Spider-Man 3 and Shrek The Third, as well as our new intellectual property TRANSFORMERS: The Game,” stated Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. “Our balanced portfolio has enabled us to continue our leadership position across the console and handheld platforms.”

Army Of Two Hitting Retail Stores This November

Never go into battle alone! The deadliest two-man military outfit a government can buy is hitting retail stores this November. Electronic Arts today announced that ARMY OF TWO will be on retail shelves starting November 15, 2007 in North America and Europe. Launching on the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, ARMY OF TWO gameplay focuses on two-man missions, two-man strategies, two-man tactics and a two-man advantage to bring a new and groundbreaking gaming experience to players worldwide, online and offline. Co-op is no longer a mode, it’s the game.

ARMY OF TWO will captivate gamers with a politically charged storyline, centering on the impact and ethical issues of Private Military Corporations. EA Montreal has also enlisted world renowned composer, Trevor Morris, to bring all aspects of the storyline and epic two-man gameplay to life through a powerful soundtrack. Morris has worked on numerous Hollywood blockbuster titles including Black Hawk Down, Bad Boys II, The Last Samurai and Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2.

Single-Player Demo The Darkness On Xbox LIVE Marketplace

Embrace The Darkness! 2K Games has released a new demo of The Darkness video game on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. This demo features a single-player experience from three early levels in the game, including the Tunnel, Cemetery and Grinders Lane.

Developed by award-winning developer of The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay, Starbreeze Studios, The Darkness is a next generation, first-person action game that features an immersive and gritty storyline written in collaboration with famed comic-book writer, Paul Jenkins (also of Civil War: Frontline). Set in the dark and seedy underbelly of New York City, players experience the role of mafia hit-man Jackie Estacado, heir to “The Darkness,” an ancient power that awakens within him on his 21st birthday. Jackie must use traditional weapons as well as learn to command his terrible new powers to seek revenge on his own crime family. The Darkness is based on the popular comic of the same name published by Top Cow Publishing and created by Marc Silvestri and Paul Jenkins.

The Darkness was released June 25 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. The Darkness has been rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB.

E3 - No Price Cut for UK .. But You Get More Junk

Sony Entertainment UK has confirmed that there will be no price drop for the PS3 in the UK, despite a recent drop of $100 in the US. Instead a new bundle was introduced with two controllers and two free games.

The “Starter Pack” collection will remain at the current price of £425 for the 60GB hard drive version of the console. The collection will include two controllers, instead of just one, and a choice of two first party games. The Starter Pack will be available in the UK about July 18th and in continental Europe by August 1st.

E3 - Turok 3 Kicks Some Dino Ass

Published by: Touchstone
Developed by: Propaganda Games
Genre: First-Person shooter
Number of Players: 1-16
Release Date: US: Q1 2008 , Europe: Q1 2008
MSRP: $59.99
Also Available On: Xbox 360 , PS3

Turok (PS3, Xbox 360) will release worldwide on February 5, 2008. The date was announced at Disney’s E3 2007 press conference. Joseph Turok crash lands on an genetically-altered alien planet filled with dinosaurs and other things. A trailer of the game is out, which highlighted Turok snapping a raptor’s back along with a number of other brutal attacks. Players take on the role of Joseph Turok, a former Black Ops commando, now part of an elite Special Forces squad on a mission to take down a war criminal on a alien genetically-altered planet.

Features

• Next-gen gameplay, high-resolution graphics and immersive sound
• Sophisticated AI and advanced tactics
• Dinosaurs and other deadly creatures – trick them into attacking your enemies or each other
• Choose your combat style - obliterate enemies with excessive firepower, or utilize fast stealth weapons there are multiple ways to survive depending on strategy.
• Operate a fleet of high-tech military vehicles
• Engage in robust online multiplayer modes