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Release Date For Age of Conan Pushed Back

Funcom announce a new release date for ‘Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures‘. The highly anticipated MMO is now set to release on the 25th of March 2008. By setting a new release date for the game, Funcom can continue the focus on honing, polishing and improving the heralded qualities of the game, ensuring a fantastic MMO experience when it launches next spring.

“We naturally regret that we have to push back ‘Age of Conan’. However, after careful consideration, and analysis of recent Beta feedback, we believe that the new release date is in the best interest of the gamers, our company and our owners,” said Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom. “We are fully committed to delivering games with absolute qualities, and in the current MMO marketplace we know that only the best is good enough to truly succeed. With the new release date we have therefore given ourselves more time to meet and deliver on the massive expectations for the game. We are certain that our choice will ultimately pay off, and that all ‘Age of Conan’ players will get a special online experience.”

”We are honored by the immense reception our game is constantly getting, with an astounding amount of positive press coverage, awards and magazine covers, but we still see that we need to polish some aspects of the game even further, especially when it comes to the entry barriers,” said Gaute Godager, founder of Funcom and Producer / Director on ‘Age of Conan’. “With the added development time we can now deliver something even more unique and powerful, something which is worthy of the incredible Conan legacy.”

‘Age of Conan’ is consistently mentioned as one of the most anticipated PC games in development. It has received numerous magazine covers and awards, including ‘Best MMO of E3′ awards from IGN, GameSpot, GameSpy and Yahoo. ‘Age of Conan’ is a key title in Microsoft’s Games for Windows line-up, as well as being a showcase DirectX 10 title for nVidia. The game is currently in general Beta, and applications for testing are available at www.ageofconan.com.

Worlds Largest Gaming Center Is Now Open In The UK

Omega Sektor, the brand new gaming and entertainment centre, today opens its doors in the heart of Birmingham. The venue, the largest of its kind in the world, features 450 state-of-the-art Intel Core 2 Quad-based PCs from leading UK manufacturer SCAN, a dedicated next-gen console room, and offers visitors more than 100 games to choose from. The Intel quad-core equipped SCAN PCs, and specially selected Razer peripherals enable gamers visiting the centre to experience all the action using the best gaming technology available. The centre is the largest permanent collection of Intel based gaming PCs available in Europe.

Commenting on Intel’s support of the centre, Adrian Le Mans, sales and marketing director for Omega Sektor says,

“Intel is synonymous with quality and performance, and its continuing investment in creating the ultimate gaming experience and supporting serious gaming talent, is a perfect match for Omega Sektor.”

“At Intel, we’re excited at the emergence of mainstream gaming, and Omega Sektor gives gamers, both serious and casual, the chance to try out our latest quad-core technology. It represents a new breed of centres that enable a gaming experience that the whole family can enjoy, and emphasises the fact that gaming is a thoroughly engaging and hugely sociable pastime,” Graham Palmer, at Intel Corporation (UK) Ltd. says.

The centre offers something for all types of gamers from casual right through to professional, with a number of tournament organisers signing up to use the centre for major events, and top-class gamers coming from all over Europe to play at the centre. In addition to externally organised tournaments, the centre will also host its own smaller tournaments, offering visitors the opportunity to try out multi-player gaming and win prizes.

The venue houses a range of brand new and classic games from major publishers including Activision, THQ, Square Enix, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Blizzard Entertainment – with 12+ and under games on the ground floor – and 15+ and above games on the first floor. Membership for the first 5,000 people to register for the centre is free, and there are a number of different gaming price packages available, including one hour of gaming for £3 and three hours of gaming for £5. The centre also has a VIP gaming room, the OS Club that can be hired for private events and special tournaments.

Omega Sektor is located at 90-98 Corporation Street (corner of Bull St), Birmingham, B4 6SX. The centre opens daily from Monday to Saturday from 8am until 11pm, and on Sundays from 9am until 11pm. There will also be late night sessions available on Fridays and Saturdays.

Tabula Rasa Pre-Order Bonus Pack With Beta Account Ships to Retailers

NCsoft, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, announced that the pre-order bonus pack for Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa has begun shipping to retailers. The pre-order box offers customers several perks, including exclusive in-game items and a three-day head start when the product launches this fall. Customers will find the pre-order bonus pack and digital pre-sale availability at various retailers in North America and Europe, as well as the NCsoft store at PlayNC.com. Richard Garriott is best known for creating the Ultima series, including Ultima Online, one of the first commercially successful massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) in North America. Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa, which is one of the most anticipated PC titles of the year, is set in an epic science-fiction story where players will be challenged by dynamic and fast-paced adventures on unique alien worlds.

Players who purchase the pre-order for Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa not only get a three-day head start on the live service, they also receive exclusive character emotes, exclusive in-game pets to accompany their characters, access to the beta test, and a DVD with the game client, bonus wallpapers and art.

“There is an amazing amount of anticipation for Tabula Rasa’s launch within our development team and the player community,” said Richard Garriott, executive producer. “The player feedback at this point has been extremely helpful and we’re putting the final touches on the game. This pre-order release truly marks the final stages in developing this epic adventure, and since owning the pre-order allows players beta access, it is a great way to try Tabula Rasa out before we launch the game.”

Please contact your local retailer for details on when Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa will be available on the shelf, or download it from the PlayNC store beginning Friday, August 10

Would You like Fries with that Halo 3?

For the first time in video game history and on par with the scope of major movie releases, some of the world’s biggest consumer brands have aligned to support the launch. Many plan to offer a variety of promotions that give consumers the opportunity to obtain unique “Halo 3”-branded products and prizes and participate in one-of-a-kind “Halo 3”-themed events.

The Doctor says, “Congratulations! Its a 9 pound Baby Boy, would you like your limited edition copy of halo 3 or the regular one?”

Full Story »

StarCraft 2 and StarCraft: Brood War Game Info And Map Site

The first details on StarCraft II are starting to hit the game sites. Designed to be the ultimate competitive real-time strategy game, StarCraft II will feature the return of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg races, overhauled and re-imagined with Blizzard’s signature approach to game balance. In addition to its unique single-player campaign, which picks up the epic saga where the last entry in the series, StarCraft: Brood War, left off, StarCraft II will offer fast-paced online play through an upgraded version of Battle.net. We found CreepColony great site for maps, game info along with some good info about StarCraft: Brood War and StarCraft2.

Check it out some good Starcraft info old and new.

Kick Some Ass on Your Cell Phone With Street Fighter II

Capcom is unleashing the first family of fight for mobile with the North American release of Street Fighter II. A direct translation of the classic 90’s arcade hit, Street Fighter II mobile has been built from the ground up to play fast and frenetic on today’s handsets, while appealing to the most ardent Street Fighter fans.

“Since the series debut 20 years ago, Street Fighter has defined the fighting genre, setting sales records as it makes its way to newer and newer platforms,” said Midori Yuasa, President, Capcom Interactive, Inc.” “With the launch of Street Fighter II for mobile, history is once again poised to repeat itself by offering players the experience they know and love in an ultra portable package.”

Designed to be the definitive Street Fighter II mobile title, the game allows players to control and eventually master eight different fighters including Ryu, Ken, Chun Li, E Honda, Blanka, Zangief, Guile, and Dhalsim. And like its big screen cousins Street Fighter II mobile incorporates dozens of combos and special moves for players to learn as they attempt to gain the coveted title of world champion.

Later this year, Capcom Entertainment, Inc. will publish Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. Originally developed by Capcom for the arcade, the game makes its downloadable debut on Xbox LIVE Arcade and PLAYSTATION Network. Capcom will stay true to the foundation of the popular game by utilizing the original game code, while creating a fresh upgraded experience with new artwork and high resolution 1080p graphics. All of the art will be completely redrawn and created by UDON Comics, which currently publishes the official Street Fighter comic.

Playable Preview of “Space Trader” A Trailer and ScreenShots

HermitWorks Entertainment, an independent game developer, has announced today the playable preview of their action-trading game Space Trader is now available to the public. Space Trader’s innovative game design lets players experience fast paced trading with intense combat.

About Space Trader
Players assume the role of Space Trader in an alternate future universe. Their goal is to make as much money possible within a time limit. Players make money by leasing cargo ships, traveling to planets and trading with merchants. Merchants trade anything from iron ore to organs, finding successful trade routes between these merchants is the skill of the Space Trader. On the planets surface shady informants reveal the location of black markets while legitimate merchants are extorted by underground gangs. Players can turn a blind eye to these transgressions or hunt down the gangs for rewards and return stability to the markets.

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Pricing And Availability
The playable preview of Space Trader for Windows is available at http://www.playspacetrader.com .

The full version of Space Trader is available for Windows and can be purchased at http://www.playspacetrader.com for $19.95 (USD).

Speed Racer As a Movie and Wii Game?!?!

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will launch the Speed Racer videogame based on the upcoming film written and directed by the Wachowski brothers. The game will be available in 2008 on the Wii and Nintendo DS systems along with the Playstation 2 system.

In the Wii and PlayStation 2 system games, players will be able to take on the role of the characters from the film, getting behind the wheels of each character’s signature vehicles to experience firsthand the film’s high-adrenaline, combative racing style. The car-fu style of action within the game will closely represent the action style being designed by the Wachowski brothers for the film itself as they lend direction and assets to the development team directly from their Berlin set. John Gaeta, a long-time Wachowski collaborator and Co-VFX Supervisor on the Speed Racer film, is working with Sidhe and WBIE to assist in maintaining a close film-to-game aesthetic connection.

“Speed Racer is an exceptionally creative property and teamed with the Wachowski brothers’ vision it makes for action-packed racing gameplay,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “The game will capture the intensity of the racing in the film to give gamers and movie fans a chance to take the wheel after they experience the film.”

“We are very excited about this natural extension from the Speed Racer film to the videogame. Larry and Andy are videogame fans themselves, so they believe that an interactive game is a key component to the entire Speed Racer experience,” said film producer Joel Silver.

The game’s development for the Wii and PlayStation 2 system platforms is led by the New Zealand-based Sidhe, a game development studio recognized for producing high-quality entertainment titles with world-class creative and software development skills. Developing across console, handheld, and PC, Sidhe has created a range of innovative products including a variety of racing titles.

Written and directed by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix trilogy, V for Vendetta) and produced by Joel Silver, Speed Racer is based on the classic series created by anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida. A live-action family adventure, Speed Racer follows the young race car driver Speed in his quest for glory on and off the track in his thundering Mach 5. The film will feature other characters that fans of the show will remember, including Speed’s family and his mysterious arch-rival, Racer X. The new high-octane actioner will combine the kind of revolutionary visual effects and cutting-edge storytelling that have become the benchmarks of the Wachowski brothers’ films, bringing Speed Racer into the 21st century. The film stars Emile Hirsch (”Alpha Dog”) as Speed, Christina Ricci (”Black Snake Moan”) as Trixie and Matthew Fox (TV’s “Lost”) as Racer X as well as Oscar winner Susan Sarandon (”Dead Man Walking”) and John Goodman (”Evan Almighty”) as Mom and Pops Racer.

Cryptic Studios Adds Some Big Hitters To The Board of Advisers

Cryptic Studios, a leading independent developer of massively-multiplayer online games, announced today a newly formed Board of Advisers that will provide strategic counsel to the company as it works to expand its leadership position in the interactive entertainment market.

Cryptic Studios appointed five members to its Board of Advisers, including experts in marketing, technology, and business development. This elite group will direct the development studio in regards to current projects as well as future opportunities.

The joining board members are:

- Jeff Braun: A 20-year game industry veteran, Mr. Braun co-founded Maxis with Will Wright. Under Mr. Braun’s leadership as Chairman and CEO, Maxis became world famous for its “Sim” branded video games. Maxis went public on the NASDAQ exchange in 1995 before selling to Electronic Arts in 1997. He remained with Electronic Arts as SVP North American Studios until 2000. Mr. Braun is currently involved with a number of private companies in the fields of interactive entertainment, media production/services and community collaboration.

- Kevin Cloud: Mr. Cloud began his career in game development in 1985 as a computer artist for Softdisk. In 1992, he joined id Software to assist on game art as well as packaging and advertising. Kevin is now co-owner, artist, and executive producer for id Software, an independent game developer and technology provider with iconic brands such as Wolfenstein, DOOM, QUAKE, and Enemy Territory.

- David Higley: Mr. Higley served as the Managing Director and the Global Head of Digital Media at UBS Investment Bank, leading the coverage of Interactive Entertainment, Wireless Content, and Media Related Technologies. Mr. Higley successfully built a team of leading global franchise managers, with clients throughout Europe, Asia, and the US. Mr. Higley has nearly $20 billion of transaction experience and has worked with virtually every leading Digital Media company during his career. Prior to investment banking, Mr. Higley was an attorney at the law firm now known as Thelen Reid Brown Raysman & Steiner.

- Ed Roffman: Mr. Roffman held several key financial positions at Activision from 1979 to 1987 and from 1989 to 1991, including Controller, Vice President of Finance, and CFO, and was a key contributor to Activision’s successful 1983 IPO. After Activision, Mr. Roffman served as CFO and COO of Palladium Interactive, a PC gaming company, where he was instrumental in the company’s sale to The Learning Company. He has also held CFO positions for several business software companies including Forte Software (sold to Sun Microsystems) and Illustra Information Technologies (sold to Informics).

- Strategic Marketing Partners: Strategic Marketing Partners, Inc. (SMP) is the largest independent PC and video games sales force in North America. For the past 15 years, its clients have represented the highest quality software and video game publishers and accessory manufacturers to all North American resellers and distributors. Its current list of clients includes LucasArts Entertainment Co., Sony Online Entertainment Inc., Palo Alto Software, DeLorme, Disney Interactive Studios, Sega, Square Enix, and Sony Media Software.

7 New ScreenShots From Medal of Honor: Airborne

How about 7 new screens from the great looking PC verison of Medal of Honor: Airborne.