Tuesday, June 9, 2009
WebWars - Play Your Game Whilst Surfing The Internet, All In One Browser - Press Release
Player VS Environment will be the first game to use this new platform, which is a fantasy book style game focused around collecting, and is expected to be out in July.
Press Release
AUSTIN, Texas --(Business Wire)-- Jun 09, 2009 WebWars, the innovator in layered reality gaming, today emerged from stealth mode with a new approach to digital entertainment. Led by CEO Cindy Armstrong, WebWars will develop new game titles based on its unique technology platform, where the Web browser itself becomes integral to successful gameplay, via an easily installed toolbar.
Layered reality gaming (LRG) turns the Internet itself into a game, allowing users to play while they surf the Web, browsing news, entertainment and sports sites, among others. This increases engagement and adds depth to gameplay, while allowing players to multi-task on the Web. The first game built on the WebWars platform will be a Player vs Environment offering focused around collecting, with a fantasy look and feel. Beta testing for this game will open in July.
“The online games development model has been broken for some time, and we see the WebWars platform as a transformational offering in terms of how these games are created,” said Cindy Armstrong, CEO of WebWars. “By making the Web browser itself into a fundamental component of the game, we are able to deliver rewarding gameplay while still offering gamers flexibility in how and when they play. Layered reality gaming is the ideal form of entertainment for many players because it removes the barriers between the game they enjoy playing and the Web sites they enjoy visiting. This allows them to experience the Web in a brand new way.”
Game studios have traditionally been hampered by protracted development processes and the need to create complex, custom technical systems in order to build just one successful game. However, the WebWars development approach is based on a number of easily extendable games ‘modules,’ which provide flexible building blocks for any type of online game development. These modules are ‘event-driven,’ and can be easily customized and re-used in other games, making it easy to build in features that players would naturally gravitate toward.
Using high quality Flash, the WebWars modular design process enables interchangeable themes, gameplay mechanics (such as Player vs Environment, or Player vs Player) and standard games components (social networking, chat features, billing etc), in order to roll out new games on a much more aggressive development timeline.
Through this platform, WebWars is simplifying the online game development model by leveraging existing open source technology within a re-usable modular game system developed by the company. Through this system of game and entertainment components, WebWars is able to pick and choose from a variety of features for its future title development, drastically reducing time-to-market and costs. The modules are also backwards compatible, enabling WebWars to upgrade existing games with future developments, in order to extend a successful franchise.
“The business model on which WebWars is built has significant opportunity in today’s gaming market. WebWars has found an approach that addresses current consumer playing needs and style, while the platform extends the longevity of the game by adapting to changing gamer sentiments,” said Michael Pachter, managing director of research at Wedbush Morgan Securities. “The US market is ready for this type of gaming and the international potential, especially in Asia, is even greater.”
The management team includes Cindy Armstrong as CEO and Mike Heisley as chairman of the board. Armstrong has more than 20 years of experience in online entertainment and was most recently the CEO of WEBZEN America. Mike Heisley, founder of The Heico Companies, LLC and majority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, is also a key investor.
“I recognized both the immediate and long-term opportunities with WebWars, and was compelled by the clear-sighted business vision that a games industry veteran like Cindy brings,” said Mike Heisley, chairman of the board at WebWars. “The WebWars proposition is built for the mass market, yet doesn’t sacrifice the fundamentals of innovative, exacting games development. In this way, it appealed to all my best instincts as a business man and as an avid entertainment fan.”
About WebWars
WebWars, the innovator in layered reality online gaming and entertainment, is changing the way users engage with online entertainment by removing the barriers between Web gaming and Web sites. Pioneering modular online game development, WebWars can easily create new features and titles through their unique technology platform. Founded in 2008, WebWars is privately held and based in Austin, TX. For more information, please visit www.webwars.com.
Namco - Brain Exercise with Dr. Kawashima Released Today On iPhone/iPod Touch - Press Release
The game features global leaderboards and you can compare with friends on Facebook. the Facebook version offers a Lite version for people to try the game for free.
The game will cost in the UK £3.99, for Europe €4.99, and in the US $5.99
Press Release
SAN JOSE, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Jun 09, 2009 Fans of Apple’s iconic iPhone® and iPod touch are now able to use their favorite gadgets to mentally roll back the years thanks to Namco Bandai Networks Europe. The mobile gaming leader has today launched Brain Exercise™ with Dr. Kawashima, world-renowned neuroscientist and founding father of the brain training gaming genre. The game, which is published by Namco Networks America Inc, is specifically developed to take full advantage of the iPhone platform, is available to download from the App Store immediately and introduces a range of challenging games, scientifically proven to test and improve the performance of different areas of the brain.
Barry O’Neill, President, Namco Bandai Networks Europe commented, “It’s not often that Apple aficionados have to play catch-up but the 27 million users of Dr. Kawashima’s various brain training platforms are testament to the rise of this genre of casual gaming. We look forward to seeing how iPhone users rank against others who are already using Dr. Kawashima’s approved brain training games on the move.”
Namco Bandai has also simplified the process allowing Apple users to get their brain training fix. iPhone users can upload their brain age to the Global leaderboard and compete with the best brains in the world. They can also compare test scores with friends on Facebook, tracking their progress against the people who really matter. The Facebook application also offers a free “light” version of the game to let Facebook addicts test their mental muscle before embarking on their mobile training program.
The puzzles and games featured in Brain Exercise have all been officially tested by Dr. Kawashima at Japan’s distinguished Tohoku University to certify their brain-enhancing credentials. Users can test their brain age and track the progress of their daily training regime through a calendar. Over time, gamers can improve brain age and unlock new games as rewards for completing different stages. A full Sudoku game with bonus levels has also been included to help raise a mental sweat.
Brain Exercise has also ensured that brain training is no longer a solo sport. A new challenge mode allows up to four players to pit their neurons against each other by playing on one device.
EA - Army Of Two The 40th Day Pictures
Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)
UK Games chart, Sims 3 no.1, Red faction Guerrilla, UFC 2009, EA Sports Active and Wii Fit are top 5. http://tinyurl.com/n6zdwx
PS3: Media Molecule has teased more about this weeks ICO DLC Pack by showing Sackboy Ico and Yorda. http://tinyurl.com/ny6to9
360: LastFM service looked at more closely. browse artists, tracks & custom playlists. share via party radio. http://tinyurl.com/lax4j6
QTE Blog: EA - Fight Night Round 4 - 14 New Screenshots Featuring Gatti, Morrison and Barrera. http://tinyurl.com/mu8g3d
PS3: Next Singstar Store Update will feature 26 new tracks and two song packs. http://tinyurl.com/lyrpwz
iPhone: ESA say that iPhone games should be rated, can't rate all of them. currently no games are rated. http://tinyurl.com/mxdocl
QTE Blog: EA - Collaberation Between Pixie Lott And Sims 3 Announced - Press Release http://tinyurl.com/mmttou
Apple keynote live blogged by Engadget can be found here http://tinyurl.com/pqdrbm . Possible iPhone announcements and iMac and more.
Apple have announced new versions of the iPhone, Mac Book, Macbook Pro and Mackbook Air. http://tinyurl.com/3k496u
PS3: Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen will have merchandise in Home, only by a treasure hunt! http://tinyurl.com/mkw5sh
PS3:Batman Arkham Asylum is rumored, by Playstation Nation podcast,to have digital PSP comics that will flesh out the game. said at 1.13.58
PSP: Sony have said there won't be trophies on the PSP because the system is not secure enough. http://tinyurl.com/nv7pu8
QTE Blog: Sony - Review of Trash Panic On PS3/PSN. 6.5 Score. http://tinyurl.com/n8g67x
PSP: Resident Evil is hinted as a complete departure from other games in the series. created with PSPgo in mind. http://tinyurl.com/n5xpcr
360: Comparison pic's of N64 Perfect Dark and 360 Version show more has been done to it than just upscaling. http://tinyurl.com/mefs2b
iPhone: Full rundown of iPhone 3GS specs can be found at the link. http://tinyurl.com/mpfwp5
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sony - Review of Trash Panic On PS3/PSN. 6.5 Score.
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Game | Console |
6.5
|
Trash Panic | PS3/PSN |
The Good
- Cheap
- Interesting Gameplay
- Loading Times
- High Level Of Difficulty
- Graphics
- Music
Full Review.
EA - Collaberation Between Pixie Lott And Sims 3 Announced - Press Release
EA have announced a collaboration between pop singer Pixie Lott and The Sims 3. Pixie's debut single will get a Simlish version recorded, which will be available to download simultaneously with the english recording as well as with a music video showing Pixie singing her single with her Sims 3 character. both will be available from June 7th.
Press Release
GUILDFORD, SURREY, UK – JUNE 5, 2009 — Electronic Arts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the collaboration between exciting new pop singer Pixie Lott and the highly anticipated PC game from the EA Play Label, The Sims™ 3. Activity kicks off with a Simlish recording of Pixie’s debut single, Mama Do available for simultaneous download with the English version of the game plus a music video showing Pixie singing a duet with her Sim character
"The Sims 3 takes the infinitely creative world of Sims to the next level, and once again its music is no exception," said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. "Pixie Lott now joins artists like Black Eyed Peas, Lily Allen, Robyn and Natasha Bedingfield in bringing her tremendous vocal talents to the Simlish arena. Her amazing talent and love for the game makes Pixie a perfect ambassador for The Sims."
Pixie Lott releases her incredible debut single Mama Do available on the 7th June, through Mercury Records. Pixie’s personality, her rich vocals and her magnetic persona are all over her first single Mama Do, an archetypal teenage tale of sneaking out on mischievous dates under the cover of night and an appetite for adventure, action and the unknown. Pixie learned and recorded this song in the unique language of The Sims, Simlish.
“It was really good fun re-recording Mama Do in Simlish,” Pixie Lott added. “Singing Simlish words to a tune you know really well was a really strange experience and had me in fits of giggles but I got the hang of it and I love the end result. The Sims 3 allows for so many fun adventures, which fits how my world is so I’m happy to be a part of their newest creation!”
Get inspired by the endless creative possibilities and unexpected moments of surprise and mischief in The Sims 3! Customize your Sims’ appearances and choose up to five traits to create individual personalities. From the “romantic” trait or “kleptomaniac” trait to “evil” trait, create millions of unique Sims from the vast amount of personalities. New goal-oriented game play enables you to choose which short or long-term objectives you want your Sims to pursue and even determine your Sims’ destinies in life. Create and edit your own movies by capturing your gameplay moments or select from a library of clips. Then join The Sims 3 online community where you can show off all of your creations, receive additional content, hear the latest news, and more! Download exclusive content and hear the latest news of The Sims 3 at www.TheSims3.com.
Combined Activity:
• Re-recording of Mama Do into Simlish
• Simlish video created for Mama Do
• Pixie Lott to perform live at exclusive launch event for The Sims 3
• Pixie Lott to perform live at the Apple Store on Regent Street as part of joint launch activity for The Sims 3 and Pixie’s debut single, Mama Do
• Downloadable Pixie Lott avatar for The Sims 3