Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Funcom Invite Previous Age Of Conan Players Back With Free Play For 2 Weeks And Double XP

Funcom have announced that they are inviting all previous players of Age Of Conan back to the game. Double XP and free play for two weeks. For those players who choose to subscribe to the game after the trial period a series of benefits will be available.

  • Subscribing for 1 month gives 7 days extra game time for no additional cost
  • Subscribing for 3 months also guarantees a spot in open beta for The Secret World
  • Subscribing for 6 months also gives a level 40 helmet with a 10% XP modifier
  • Subscribing for 12 months also gives a free copy of the Rise of the Godslayer expansion and all previous benefits

Press Release

DURHAM, N.C. --(Business Wire)-- Nov 11, 2009 Funcom has decided to repeat the successful re-evaluation campaign that went live earlier this year for the best-selling massively multiplayer online role-playing game “Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.” Previously active players are encouraged to come back to the game and play free of charge for two entire weeks. As an additional incentive for players to come back and play for free, they will also receive a double experience boost throughout their free period. Those who decide to continue playing beyond their free period can also look forward to fantastic rewards such as guaranteed access to the beta test for The Secret World, a free copy of the expansion and more.

“We are very proud of what we have been able to do with the game since launch,” says Morten Larssen, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Funcom. “The game has grown and improved at a remarkable pace, and we continue to introduce new content, new features and new improvements. We are introducing these fantastic rewards as we know that coming back to an MMO demands effort, and we want to make sure that as many former players as possible are exposed to the new and improved ‘Age of Conan.’”

Besides receiving an incredible experience boost throughout November, players who choose to continue subscribing to the game after their free period can look forward to a range of exclusive rewards:

*Subscribing for 1 month gives 7 days extra game time for no additional cost
*Subscribing for 3 months also guarantees a spot in open beta for The Secret World
*Subscribing for 6 months also gives a level 40 helmet with a 10% XP modifier
*Subscribing for 12 months also gives a free copy of the Rise of the Godslayer expansion

In addition, the rewards for the lower tier subscriptions are also included in the higher tier subscription, which means that you will get all these exclusive rewards if you choose to subscribe for 12 months. This is a time-limited offer only, and is also available to current players. Players who have signed up for these subscription plans in October have already secured their respective reward. The Secret World beta reward includes access to the later stages of the closed beta, and a date for access will be announced later. The free download of the expansion will become available when the expansion launches.

New players are also encouraged to take advantage of these offers. New players who purchase the game now and sign up for one of these subscription plans will also have secured their respective rewards.

Since launching last year, “Age of Conan” has seen a vast number of improvements, new content and new features. In fact, the game has received such a significant make-over that Funcom decided to create a new website that shows both former players and everyone else how the game has grown. Previous players will find new content such as the adventure region of Ymir’s Pass, new dungeons such as The Iron Tower, and new features such as the player vs. player notoriety system and a complete re-design of the items and character statistics mechanics of the game. The technology platform has also been vastly improved, allowing for better performance across a wide range of computer systems.

Read more about what’s happened to “Age of Conan” since launch on the new website!

ABOUT FUNCOM
Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC, consoles and mobile platforms. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Recent titles include “The Longest Journey,” “Anarchy Online” and “Dreamfall: The Longest Journey.” For corporate information please visit www.funcom.com. For information about Funcom games visit http://www.anarchy-online.com www.dreamfall.com, www.darkdaysarecoming.com or www.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM.

ABOUT CONAN PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL
Conan Properties International LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paradox Entertainment Inc., controls rights to Conan, many associated characters and the Hyborian world, as created by Robert E. Howard and various rights expanded upon by many acclaimed authors and artists. Many consider Conan the world's best-known fantasy character. For more information about Conan Properties International LLC, visit www.conan.com. For information about Paradox Entertainment Inc., visit www.paradox-entertainment.com.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

New Zero Punctuation - Uncharted 2

After a week of, this weeks Zero Punctuation is on Uncharted 2. will he enjoy the game as much as the reviewers did?




Cryptic Studios Have Released The System Requirements For Star Trek Online

http://www.startrekonline.com/themes/startrek/img/sto_logo.png

Cryptic have revealed the PC system requirements for Star Trek Online.

System Requirements

* OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
* CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8 Ghz or AMD Athlon X2 3800+
* Memory: 1GB RAM
* Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7950 / ATI Radeon X1800 / Intel HD Graphics
* Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
* DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
* HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
* Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
* Disc: 6X DVD-ROM

Recommended System Configuration

* OS: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista / Windows 7 (32 or 64-bit)
* CPU: Intel E8400 Core 2 Duo or AMD Athlon X2 5600+
* Memory: 2GB RAM+
* Video: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 / ATI Radeon HD 3850+
* Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible Soundcard
* DirectX: Version 9.0c or Higher
* HDD: 8GB Free Disk Space
* Network: Internet Broadband Connection Required
* Disc: 6X DVD-ROM


From http://www.startrekonline.com/node/494

Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

Here is today's Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays news.
Don't forget,you can subscribe to the Audio Re-Cap Podcast on iTunes. if you do, it would be great if you can review and rate the podcast.

A podcast is available on iTunes from:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=328547861

A RSS Feed from Podbean:
http://qtegamers.podbean.com/feed

And on qtegamers.blogspot.com:
http://qtegamers.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio Re-Cap



Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest)

  • QTE Blog: Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/B1sV

  • QTE Blog: Audio Re-Cap of Yesterdays News (oldest to newest) http://ow.ly/160IG8

  • A Minesweeper adventure game is in the works from Charles Cecilm, Broken Sword Series, for One Big Game. http://ow.ly/B1yU

  • the upcoming Criterion developed Need for Speed game is set to be released next year. http://ow.ly/B1B9

  • EA Will be revealing their plans for the Medal Of Honor Series in the next few months,. http://ow.ly/B1Cy

  • Sega don't own rights to Toe Jam & Earl. possible DLC for Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing. DS game rejected by publishers http://ow.ly/B1EJ

  • iPhone: R-Type is coming out soon, Ghost & Goblins came out in Japan over the weekend. http://ow.ly/B1Gt

  • Sainsburys + Morrisons cheapest price for Modern Warfare 2. Tesco/Amazon.co.uk are £32, Game £42, HMV £44.99 http://ow.ly/B1Iv

  • Activision have said that they shipped 3 Million Copies of Modern Warfare 2 to the UK http://ow.ly/B1Jv

  • PC: Grand Theft Auto IV The Lost And Dammed DLC is expected to come to Games For Windows after achievements were found http://ow.ly/B1L2

  • More Modern Warfare 2 review scores have been released now the embargo is down. 8/10 - 9/10 seem average http://ow.ly/B1MW

  • A Poll of developers has found that many see Piracy as Problem, but not a threat to their business. http://ow.ly/B4a0

  • PS3: there are reports that some Modern Warfare 2 Trophies are not being awarded correctly. http://ow.ly/B4gl

  • Sega Europe has annoucned a Bayonetta Special Edition. it has a soundtrack and hardcover art book http://ow.ly/B4hy

  • 360: its being reported that the Wireless N Adaptor is on sale today in the USA for around $100 http://ow.ly/B4ja

  • PS3: Naughty Dog are polling Uncharted 2 fans asking what multiplayer modes they want as DLC. http://ow.ly/B4og

  • QTE Blog: This Weeks WiiWare, DSiWare, And Virtual Console Releases http://ow.ly/160Ma7

  • iPhone: BSkyB will show live Football on the iPhone/iPod Touch over a Wifi Connection for £6 a month. http://ow.ly/B4AI

  • PC: The Steam version of Modern Warfare 2 won't unlock until Friday now. http://ow.ly/B65a

  • QTE Blog: EA Has Released New Screenshots And A Trailer For Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online http://ow.ly/160MJU

  • Wii: New Super Mario Bros. Wii will ship in red Cases when it comes out http://ow.ly/B65X

  • PC: Guild Wars 2 may not come out until 2011. a closed beta should start during 2010. http://ow.ly/B672

  • Eidos Interactive has now been re-branded as Square Enix Europe. http://ow.ly/B67F

  • Level 5 President says that having Hershel or Luke in Smash Bros. or Mario Kart "Would...be a wonderful opportunity" http://ow.ly/B4rF

  • QTE Blog: EA Has Announced That A Dante's Inferno Demo Is Coming This December http://ow.ly/160Nx2

  • QTE Blog: EA Has Released New Screenshots For The Saboteur And A Fact Sheet http://ow.ly/160Of3

  • PC: valve has added 4 Vs 4 Competitive matchmaking to left 4 Dead on Steam. there are also bug fixes in this update http://ow.ly/B8vC

  • PS3: European owners of The Beatles Rock Band are having issues connecting online after they purchase the Abby Road DLC http://ow.ly/B8xU

  • Yesterdays cuts from EA are rumoured to have hit Pandemic, Maxis, Command & Conquer Team, Rapture Studios + more http://ow.ly/B8CX

  • its being reported that Io Interactive have a game coming that's "unlike anything else." http://ow.ly/B8En

  • Japan version of Final Fantasy XIII Done. EU/USA version in final stages of development. http://ow.ly/B9iM

  • DSi: the Japan boxart for the DSi LL has been released. http://ow.ly/B9le

  • QTE Blog: Nintendo Announce That UK Demos For Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Will Be Available Via The D... http://ow.ly/160PA3

  • QTE Blog: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announce Partnership With Nintendo To Provide A Nintendo DS With Personal Trainer... http://ow.ly/B9PI





Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nintendo Announce That UK Demos For Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Will Be Available Via The DS Download Service


Nintendo has announced that 3 demos will be made available for Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky. the first demo will go live November 13th, Second on November 20th, and final one will go live November 27th.
These Demo's will continue to cycle between them until January 2010.

How to download demos from the Nintendo Channel:
1. Make sure your Wii is connected to the Internet and go to the Nintendo Channel. If you don’t have the Nintendo Channel yet you can download it for free from the Wii Shop Channel.

2.Click on the “Find Titles for You” link and then select the “DS Download Service” option.

3.You’ll see a list of currently available demos from which you can select the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky demo.

4.Now turn the power ON on your Nintendo DS and select the option “DS Download Play” from the menu.

5. Once your Nintendo DS has connected to your Wii console, you just need to accept the software download and you’re ready to play!


Press Release


Become a Pokémon and discover the conclusion of the series! After Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time comes the final episode in the trilogy. Enjoy great new features like the Special Episodes, which delve into the background of other characters, and choose your favourite amongst the new starter Pokémon.

If you fancy a sneak peek at the game, you can download the first of three brand new demos from your Wii console to your Nintendo DS right now! The first demo is available until Friday 13th of November, the second until the 20th of November and the third until the 27th of November. If you miss your chance to download any of them, don’t despair! The demos will continue to cycle through December and into January next year, giving you plenty of time to pick up and play. Never downloaded a demo to your Nintendo DS before? Just follow the simple instructions below!

How to download demos from the Nintendo Channel:
1. Make sure your Wii is connected to the Internet and go to the Nintendo Channel. If you don’t have the Nintendo Channel yet you can download it for free from the Wii Shop Channel.

2.Click on the “Find Titles for You” link and then select the “DS Download Service” option.

3.You’ll see a list of currently available demos from which you can select the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky demo.

4.Now turn the power ON on your Nintendo DS and select the option “DS Download Play” from the menu.

5. Once your Nintendo DS has connected to your Wii console, you just need to accept the software download and you’re ready to play!

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Announce Partnership With Nintendo To Provide A Nintendo DS With Personal Trainer: Cooking To Hotel Guests

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide have announced that they have entered a partnership with Nintendo to offer Nintendo DS systems with Personal Trainer: Cooking Software to Guests of their hotels.
This is an attempt by Element Hotels, a part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, to cater to the Eco- and Health Concious travellers who stay in their rooms by giving them software which acts as a culinary coach, making it easy for quests to choose recipes, prepare shopping lists, and cook meals.



Press Release

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. --(Business Wire)-- Nov 10, 2009 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) and its new eco-chic brand, Element Hotels, today announced a partnership with Nintendo to provide Nintendo DS™ systems pre-loaded with Personal Trainer™: Cooking software to hotel guests. The software, which acts as an interactive culinary coach, makes it easy for travelers to choose recipes, prepare shopping lists and cook meals in the comfort of their fully equipped in-suite kitchens. This is the latest in a series of initiatives being launched by Element Hotels to cater to eco- and health-conscious travelers looking to maintain a well-balanced, healthy lifestyle on the road.

Guests at all Element hotels have the option of checking out a complimentary hand-held Nintendo DS system that comes with a copy of the Personal Trainer: Cooking software. After selecting recipes based on cooking requirements such as calorie count, cooking time or skill level, guests can view ingredients, watch how-to videos and even set an on-screen timer. The intuitive software provides help every step of the way through voice-led instructions, text, images and video. Users can choose from more than 245 recipes from a variety of regions around the world. The touch-screen controls of the Nintendo DS system let users browse recipes or mark ingredients to buy with a tap of the stylus. If your hands are busy with cooking, Personal Trainer: Cooking also accepts voice commands to continue to the next page, repeat a step or go back.

“We know that many of our guests, especially our longer stay guests, don’t necessarily want to eat out every night of the week, but they also don’t have the time to come up with recipes and create shopping lists,” said Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Specialty Select brands for Starwood Hotels. “Providing our guests with this best-selling hardware and intuitive software that serves up healthy meal options at the touch of a button makes it easy for travelers to customize meals that please the palate in their own kitchens.”

To further promote whole, healthy living while traveling, every Element hotel also has an on-site, 24 hour a day pantry, Restore, which features an array of all-natural and local, when possible, ingredients, pre-prepared meals, snacks and beverages. In addition to fully-equipped in-suite kitchens, guests who want to prepare a meal in the great outdoors can take advantage of each hotel’s communal outdoor grilling areas. A complimentary daily Rise breakfast buffet includes signature hot breakfast wraps and sandwiches, freshly baked breads, pastries, fresh fruits and yogurts, and a complimentary shuttle service takes guests to nearby grocery stores and local farmers markets, when possible.

Element Hotels also feature a variety of on-site fitness options, including Motion, a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, bikes-to-borrow, and a chlorine-free pool.

About Element Hotels
Launched by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. in 2008, Element delivers a no-compromise, eco-chic experience enhanced by comfortable and inspiring public spaces, modern touches and smart design. Element Hotels is the first major hotel brand to mandate that all its properties pursue the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

The Element brand’s green features are cleverly designed to be as aesthetically appealing as they are eco-friendly, so guests never compromise on style and comfort. Eco-friendly materials are used whenever possible and natural light is maximized throughout the hotels. To reduce waste, guest room bathrooms are equipped with amenity dispensers, kitchens are supplied with silverware and glassware instead of plastic utensils and paper cups, and filtered drinking water is available rather than plastic water bottles. Recycling bins are available in guest rooms and public areas. Element hotels conserve water and energy with low-flow faucets and fixtures, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and energy-efficient appliances. Even the ubiquitous “Do Not Disturb” sign has been replaced with an environmentally-friendly magnet. For more information, please visit www.elementhotels.com.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 966 properties in more than 100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched Aloft®, and Element SM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visitwww.starwoodhotels.com.