PopCap and NCsoft have announced they are bringing PopCap World to South Korea. PopCap World is a multiplayer social game service that will come with 13 of PopCap's games that will be playable for free. these games will be built for Korean players and later on, additional optional paid premium services will be added. This announcement is just the beginning, with both making it clear that this is the start of something new that can grow and perhaps come to other countries. PopCap World is set to come out in 2010.
Press Release
SHANGHAI, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- PopCap Games, worldwide leader in casual games, today announced a deal with NCsoft, leading provider of online & MMO games, to bring PopCap's first online multiplayer social game service to Korea later this year.
The new platform, PopCap® World, is the first product to be developed and released by PopCap's Shanghai game studio and marks a major milestone for the company in terms of its global online and social strategies.
PopCap World, operated by NCsoft, will launch with 13 of PopCap's award-winning games such as Bejeweled®, Plants vs. Zombies™ and Zuma® as well as an all-new multiplayer game, Super Zuma™, built exclusively for Korean players. All of the games are free to play, with optional, premium paid elements to be added later.
James Gwertzman, PopCap's Vice President for Asia/Pacific, said:
"When Disneyland first opened, it revolutionized the amusement park industry and ushered in the era of the modern theme park. In the same way, we believe PopCap World has the potential to redefine casual games in Korea and beyond by offering players the most immersive PopCap experience yet.
"Our announcement today is just the beginning. We are very excited about our partnership with NCsoft – their formidable presence in the online market combined with PopCap's leadership in the casual and social spaces makes for an interesting recipe that we look forward to serving up to players in Korea – and beyond."
PopCap - and flagship franchise, Bejeweled - is widely regarded as a founding father of the casual games industry. Over the past 10 years, the company has solidified its reputation as a games pioneer by innovating new games genres exemplified in games such as the BAFTA-nominated, Plants vs. Zombies. PopCap is one of the few game developers/publishers that has successfully adapted itself to an ever-increasing variety of new gaming platforms and technologies.
Most recently, the company has gained notoriety for its success in the mobile and social spaces: its first iPhone game, Bejeweled 2, has been in the top 20 apps since its July 2008 launch; while the company's first social game, Bejeweled Blitz, launched in December 2008, is one of the top games on Facebook with over 4 million daily active users (DAU). As PopCap prepares to launch its second social game, Zuma Blitz, on Facebook later this month, there is palpable excitement surrounding projects on both sides of the world – and how these might eventually inform each other.
Mr. Whang, NCsoft's Vice President for Web Business Center, said
"We are thrilled to be collaborating with PopCap Games on this new project. PopCap is famous not only for the high quality of their games – they are a very talented developer – but also for appealing to an extremely wide audience. We look forward to a successful launch, and to opening up this new world of fun to both our existing Korean users, as well as a whole new audience for whom this may well be their first online game."
PopCap games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by players worldwide; its flagship title, Bejeweled, has sold more than 50 million units across all platforms.PopCap World will launch later in 2010 with all games localized in Korean.
About PopCap
PopCap Games (www.popcap.com) is the leading multi-platform provider of casual video games: fun, easy-to-learn, captivating games that appeal to everyone from age 6 to 106 and are available anytime, anywhere. Based in Seattle, Washington, PopCap was founded in 2000 and has a worldwide staff of more than 300 people in Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Vancouver, B.C., Dublin, Seoul, and Shanghai. Its games have been downloaded over 1.5 billion times by consumers worldwide, and its flagship title, Bejeweled, has sold more than 50 million units across all platforms. Constantly acclaimed by consumers and critics, PopCap's games are played on the Web, social platforms, desktop computers, myriad mobile devices (cell phones, smartphones, PDAs, Pocket PCs, iPod, iPhone, iPad and more), popular game consoles (such as Xbox and DS), and in-flight entertainment systems. PopCap has been one of the most innovative companies in the video industry since its inception a decade ago. Pioneering new game mechanics, sales models, and platforms ranging from mobile devices to online and location-based games of chance, PopCap is the only video game provider in the world with leading market share across the entire spectrum.
The PopCap logo and all other trademarks used herein that are listed atwww.popcap.com/trademarks are owned by PopCap Games, Inc. or its licensors and may be registered in some countries. Other company and product names used herein may be trademarks of their respective owners and are used for the benefit of those owners.
Nintendo Have announced that new DSi XL colours are coming out across Europe on 8th October. the new colours, as seen in the picture above, are Yellow, Green, and Blue. each of these new coloured DSi XL's will come pre-loaded with A Little Bit of...Dr Kawashima's Brain Training: Arts Edition and Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function, as well as the Nintendo DSi Browser.
Hudson have released a new developer interview video for Lost In Shadow as well as new screenshots. the screenshots show in-game action of the games main character facing off against a very large enemy. The developer video has the games Director, Tsuchihashi, Design Chief, Echigo, Program Chief, Nakaoka, And Sound Designer, Bando, talking about the inspiration behind the game and how it grew into Lost In Shadow.
EA Have released a new video for FIFA 11. this is a tutorial video that shows how you take penalties in the game. the version of the game used is the Xbox 360, so the prompts are for a 360 controller, but it would be fair to assume that the PS2/PS3 versions control similarly. the video also shows that it would be best to practice penalties in the games practice mode, as there you'll be able to toggle on/off a indicator showing where your aiming.
Sony Online Entertainment have released new screenshots for DC Universe Online. these screenshots show Gorilla Grodd and his gorilla soldiers. the screenshots are in-game and mostly show many different super heroes fighting the gorilla solders and Gorilla Grodd attacking the heroes.
RedLynx have announced that in just over a year, Trials HD has sold over 1 million units via XBLA. RedLynx have also confirmed that the Big Thrills DLC for Trials HD is still set for a Q4 release.
Press Release
September 14, 2010 (Helsinki, Finland) — RedLynx (redlynx.com) today announced that its game Trials HD has recently passed the one million sales mark, accomplishing this feat little more than a year after its release.
"Only a handful of downloadable console games have reached this plateau," said Tero Virtala, CEO of RedLynx. "For a company of about thirty-five people, it's a significant achievement, and it validates our strategy of focusing on online and downloadable games that have the potential to evolve into long-term, successful game franchises."
This one million sales mark represents sales of the Trials HD game through Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. It does not include sales of the first expansion pack, Trials HD - Big Pack.
"Congratulations to RedLynx for creating such a beloved, fun game that powerfully showcases the Arcade experience," said Scott Austin, Director of Digitally Distributed Games at Microsoft. "We look forward to bringing more Trials HD content to the Xbox LIVE community with the upcoming release of Big Thrills."
The second expansion pack for the game, Trials HD - Big Thrills, was announced recently and is targeted for a Q4 release this year. Big Thrills will contain some 40 new tracks, including 10 tracks created by the game's most dedicated fans, those who competed in the recent Track Creator Challenge.
"This is a satisfying milestone," said Antti Ilvessuo, Creative Director and co-founder of RedLynx, as well as the lead designer on Trials HD. "But it's just the beginning. With the Big Thrills DLC, we are including ten of the very best user-created tracks right alongside our own."
He sighed, and donned a long judge's robe and powdered wig, then picked up a gavel. "Thousands of tracks were entered into the competition," he said. "For the next few weeks, I shall be a very busy, track-judging man."
For videos, screens, and more information visit the Trials HD game page on xbox.com.
TimeGate Studios have announced that they are making a sequel to Section 8 titled Section 8: Prejudice. No platforms have been announced as yet, but TimeGate do say the game is set to come out in early 2011. Section 8: Prejudice has been built with feedback on Section 8 in mind. the aim is to take what was popular from the first game and take the franchise further.
Section 8: Prejudice will have a single player campaign and will feature Captain Alex Corde and the 8th Armored Infantry, nicknamed Section 8. Section 8 are pursuing the last of the resistance but discover something more terrible. Multiplayer will make a return to Section 8: Prejudice, and the game will have more than 50 customizable weapons, tools, and upgrades.
Press Release
Sugar Land, Texas - September 13, 2010 – Award-winning independent developer and publisher, TimeGate Studios, Inc. today unveiled the sequel to its sci-fi shooter Section 8. Dubbed Section 8: Prejudice, the follow-up will expand on the dynamic first-person gameplay of the original by launching TimeGate’s futuristic IP to new heights.
“As you can see, we are very committed to this universe. The development team has tremendous passion for the IP,” said Adel Chaveleh, CEO of TimeGate Studios. “Feedback from the community and media has been used to drive every single development decision on this project. Prejudice is taking everything popular about the first game of the series and pushing the envelope further. We’ve created a brand new and compelling story-driven single-player experience, expanded the world with new environments and massive amounts of new equipment. Prejudice is a full-blown sequel in every sense.”
Picking up where Section 8 left off, Prejudice reunites players with Captain Alex Corde and the 8th Armored Infantry, nicknamed Section 8 for their willingness to take on extremely dangerous missions. As they cope with the fallout of the war with the Arm of Orion, Corde’s squad pursues the last of the resistance only to discover a mysterious new threat powerful enough to shake humanity to its core.
In addition to a brand new and lengthier story-driven campaign, Prejudice delivers a one-of-a-kind multiplayer experience that gives players unprecedented tactical control over ever-changing team-based combat. Players have the ability to drop spawn on the battlefield wherever they choose, while multiple game modes and Dynamic Combat Missions ensure diverse gaming experiences. Gamers can also expect more than 50 customizable weapons, tools and upgrades for an even greater level of control in defining their own play style.
Prejudice is currently planned for release in early 2011 with additional details, including platforms, to be revealed in the coming months.
For more information, visit www.warisprejudice.com.
About TimeGate Studios
TimeGate Studios Inc. (www.timegate.com) is a world-class independent entertainment company specializing in redefining video game genres. The company is dedicated to bringing next-generation, cutting-edge gaming experiences to multiple platforms.
Located in Sugar Land, TX, the company has scored major successes on all major platforms since its founding in 1998. TimeGate distributes its original IP games at retail, through digital download services and via TimeGate’s online storefront.
PopCap And NCsoft Announce PopCap World, An Online Social Game Service For Korea
Nintendo Announce New DSi XL Colours Are Coming Out Across Europe On 8th October
Hudson Have Released A Developer Interview And Screenshots For Lost In Shadow
EA Have Released A New Video For FIFA 11 Showing How To Take Penalties
Sony Online Entertainment Have Released DC Universe Screenshots Showing Gorilla Grodd
RedLynx Announce Trials HD Has Sold Over 1 Million Units
TimeGate Studios Announce Section 8: Prejudice