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.

Army Of Two game Trailer for the PS3 and Xbox360

Chair Entertainment to use Unreal Engine 3

Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced that it has signed an exclusive deal with Epic Games to license the award-winning Unreal® Engine 3 for all its present and upcoming game development projects.

The deal covers all games developed for Xbox® 360, PlayStation® 3 and PC and the first game that will be released under the new agreement will be Undertow® for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, which is due to go live worldwide this summer. The game, which reveals some of the most stunning graphics seen on Xbox LIVE® Arcade, features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op, and two robust multiplayer modes for up to 16 players which has been delivered in just 50mb – something that has not been achieved in any other Xbox LIVE® Arcade to date.

20th Century Fox to Sell Halo stuff

As seen on Variety.com

Less than a year after its plans to co-produce with Universal a movie based on Microsoft’s hit videogame franchise were abruptly canceled, 20th Century Fox has signed a deal to become the primary licensor for “Halo.”

That means the studio will handle worldwide merchandise licensing for “Halo” on behalf of the tech giant.

Though the unsuccessful film development helped bring the two companies closer together, Fox’s licensing division has a longer relationship with Microsoft. It handled similar duties for “Perfect Dark Zero” and “Kameo: Elements of Power,” two Microsoft-published games that came out in late 2005 in conjunction with the launch of the Xbox 360.

“Those two games established our relationship with them as a licensing agency, and those conversations continued during the same time that a ‘Halo’ film was in development here,” said Elie Dekel, exec VP of domestic licensing for Fox.

He added that Fox’s licensing division focuses primarily on teens and young adults instead of kids, as some other studios do, which makes “Halo” a good fit.

Fox is aiming to launch a broad array of products, from books to apparel to collectible merchandise, in conjunction with the release of “Halo 3″ in September. But given the huge popularity of the vidgame series, Dekel said he’s confident his division can continue to sell licensed products in the next few years until a fourth “Halo” game comes out.

“Halo” is one of the videogame industry’s most popular franchises. Original game and “Halo 2″ have sold more than 14.5 million units.

Fox is already in various stages of discussion with several dozen licenses and will be talking to potential partners at this week’s Toy Fair in Gotham.

The Downfall of HD-DVD

Blockbuster have announced that the company will offer high definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format in 1,450 of its stores from next month, with those stores failing to carry any HD-DVD titles. If you have HD-DVD well you can rent from blockbuster anymore.

The move, being announced Monday, could be the first step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Blockbuster has been renting both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year and found that consumers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time.

“The consumers are sending us a message. I can’t ignore what I’m seeing,” Matthew Smith, senior vice president of merchandising at Blockbuster, told The Associated Press.

Blockbuster will continue to rent HD DVD titles in the original 250 locations and online, the Dallas-based company said.

The decision was helped in large part by the lopsided availability of titles in Blu-ray, Smith said. All major studios except one are releasing films in Blu-ray, with several, including The Walt Disney Co., releasing exclusively in Blu-ray. Only Universal Studios, which is owned by General Electric Co., exclusively supports HD DVD.

Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., and Paramount Pictures, which is owned by Viacom Inc., release films in both formats.

“When you walk into a store and see all this product available in Blu-ray and there is less available on HD DVD, I think the consumer gets that,” Smith said.

The rollout of Sony Corp.’s PlayStation 3 game console, which comes standard with a Blu-ray drive, also helped give the format momentum, Smith said.

Blockbuster’s decision, while significant on it’s own, could boost Blu-ray even more if other retailers follow suit.

ARMORED CORE 4: MULTIPLAYER AND ONLINE FEATURES

Xbox 360 players will experience extreme online and system link multiplayer action in games of up to eight players. The Xbox 360 version also features full leader board support. PlayStation 3 gamers can join in multiplayer online matches for up to eight people, as well as enjoy system link multiplayer via network cable and split-screen action for two players on the same console.

The release of Armored Core 4 marks the first time gamers have been able to play an Armored Core title online in Europe. The game is the latest release in the historic mech-battling action and simulation saga, and is the first ‘next-generation’ incarnation of the internationally beloved franchise. In addition to the online support, Armored Core 4 features extensive modes for single-players and offline multiplayer action for two players.

Armored Core 4 exploits the power of next-gen systems to deliver an action game whose astonishing visuals are matched by clever game-play tricks, massive levels of depth and customization and a completely reworked and enhanced control system for the most precise and enjoyable white-knuckle mech game yet seen.

Armored Core 4 releases on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on June 22nd.

Half Life 2 Episode 2 Due Out October 9th

Half-Life 2 Episode 2 is finally, finally, due out on the 9th of October. The game will release for the PC, 360, and PS3, and will be joined by Team Fortress 2. Electronic Arts is distributing the games at retail as a package entitled Half-Life 2: The Orange Box, which also includes the original Half-Life 2 and last year’s Half-Life 2: Episode One. It will sell for $49.99 on PC and $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

I still say Valve / Steam is the Devil here to take over the world.

XBox 360’s New Intercooler EX

Here is a kick ass little piece of equipment for your Xbox 360. I just did not know they got that hot and needed the cooling so bad.

Keep your Xbox 360 Elite running at optimal conditions. The Intercooler EX for Xbox 360 is a snap on cooling attachment that easily connects to the Xbox 360. The Intercooler EX provides increased air flow away from the 360 which allows the console to perform in a cooler, better ventilated environment ideal for cramped entrainment centers. No internal modification of the Xbox 360 is required. A pass through power connection utilizes the existing Xbox 360 power supply negating the need for an extra AC adaptor. The unit also powers on and off automatically with 360 and the Intercooler’s small size will fit in tight spaces like entertainment centers with your 360 displayed in either horizontal or vertical format.

Nyko’s Intercooler EX, the latest version of the company’s incredibly popular cooling system for the Xbox 360, improves upon the original by adding a variety of new, user demanded features, including support for the wireless adapter. In addition to providing a superior cooling solution that improves air circulation away from the Xbox 360, the Intercooler EX also features a new locking mechanism that ensures an easy, secure installation. To match the Xbox 360 Elite’s color scheme, the Intercooler EX comes in a black matte finish. The Intercooler EX is now available at select retailers and Nyko’s online store for $19.99. A white version of the Intercooler EX is also available that matches the original Xbox 360 color scheme.

OVERLORD Demo for the PC and Xbox 360

Don the Overlord’s illustrious armor, assemble a team of fighter minions and head off for a session of serious destruction in the once tranquil area of The Mellow Hills. Descend upon the unsuspecting populace and wildlife, use your loyal minions to gather life-force from the somewhat unwilling sheep, grow the size of your minion horde, and let the Halflings-gone-bad know there’s a new boss in town.

Make use of minion upgrades, including pumpkins as minion helmets, throw in some peasant intimidation and a show-down with the Guard Troll and you’ll have a taste of the havoc that a minion horde can wreak.

Experience the power of the mighty Overlord with the PC demo now available from www.codemasters.com/overlord. A demo is also available from Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for the Xbox™ 360. Overlord release date is June 29th for PC and Xbox 360.

Video game systems and the rise of drug use!

With all the data we as a society track now days this is one that has been over looked. All the talk about violent video games and what they are doing to our kids, I thought I would look at the numbers a little more. Scanning the U.S. Department of Justice crime numbers thinking I would not find anything new. I found something so crazy that I could not even believe what I was looking at. If you will look at the numbers you will see what I see. Full Story »