World Cyber Games USA 2008 National Final Video Game Tournament To Be Held at the E For All Expo

The road to elite video gaming’s TEAM USA 2008 is now confirmed: The World Cyber Games (WCG) USA 2008 National Final will be held in at this year’s E for All Expo in Los Angeles, October 3 – 5, ,International Cyber Marketing (ICM) and IDG World Expo announced today. The WCG USA 2008 National Final at the E for All Expo will feature 200 of America’s very best players, all competing for the rare chance to make TEAM USA and represent the United States at the WCG 2008 Grand Final, to be held in Cologne, Germany, this November 5th – 9th. The WCG’s Grand Final is the culmination of the world’s largest video game tournament.

America’s top gamers will be the showcase tournament attraction at the 2008 E for All Expo, the premier consumer video game event, organized by IDG World Expo and scheduled to take place at the Los Angeles Convention Center October 3-5, 2008. The WCG USA 2008 National Final will fill more than 15,000 square feet of dedicated space on the E for All show floor. In addition to determining TEAM USA and national champions in 14 WCG “Official Game Titles” the WCG USA will include the Samsung Mobile Challenge tournament, a women’s gaming invitational tournament, an “old school” pinball competition, numerous walk-up video gaming contests and many more exciting attractions. Feature matches in some of the world’s most popular PC and Xbox 360 videogames will take place on a main stage complete with live play-by-play commentary keyed to the in-game action being projected on giant video screens. World Cyber Games’ partners Samsung Electronics, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Games For Windows, Phillips amBX, Dust-Off and several others will feature expo booths with interactive displays, product demonstrations and gaming kiosks in the WCG USA tournament area at E for All, creating a high-energy gaming and youth lifestyle festival for consumers. E for All attendees will have countless opportunities to walk away with merchandise prizes via giveaways and promotions in the WCG USA area during breaks in the tournament.

“E for All is the perfect stage for the World Cyber Games, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to see the who’s who of elite competitive gamers in-person as they show their mastery of today’s most popular video game titles,” said Mary Dolaher, Chief Executive Officer of IDG World Expo, the leading producer of world-class tradeshows and events around the globe. “Through our partnership with ICM, we’re not only establishing a home for the 2008 WCG USA National Final, we’re underscoring our support of the growing global eSports gaming community.”

“E For All has quickly established itself as a premiere video game event in the United States. This World Cyber Games USA National Final at E For All will immerse gaming fans and attendees into the ever-expanding genre of International eSports competition – this is the only place to see America’s best gamers, live and in person, battling for the treasured opportunity to represent the USA on competitive gaming’s most coveted stage, the World Cyber Games Grand Final this November in Cologne Germany.” said Michael Arzt, General Manager of WCG USA.

Hail to the Chimp Ships to North American Retailers

This summer, democracy comes to the animal kingdom in Wideload Games’ presidential party game Hail to the Chimp. Video game publisher Gamecock Media Group today announced that Hail to the Chimp has shipped to North American retailers and is available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system. Players can now jump into the biggest political race the animal kingdom has ever seen in this fast-paced original game that delivers exciting gameplay and a comic look at politics. It’s a bare-knuckled fight to win the crown of President of the animals and whoever gets the most clams (votes), wins!

Hail to the Chimp begins after the Lion is deposed as King following a series of embarrassing scandals. The rest of the animals decide it’s time to give democracy a chance and hold an election for the first President of the Animal Kingdom. The election quickly becomes a frenzied multiplayer free-for-all, with each candidate using a combination of brute force and dirty tricks to try and win the most votes. Ten distinct animals will compete to win the election.

“Gamers complain about the lack of innovation and originality in video games. Hail to the Chimp is the antidote,” said Rick Stults, console chief for Gamecock Media Group. “Hail to the Chimp blends political satire with over-the-top beat-‘em-up action that no one else has attempted before now.”

“Hail to the Chimp is designed for fun, pure and simple – quick, easy, party game fun for everyone,” said Alex Seropian, founder of Wideload Games. “In addition, the immersive character-driven backstory and underlying humor provide an entertainment experience that anyone can enjoy.”

Up to four players participate online or on a single console to become the new President. Everything unfolds on GRR News, the animal kingdom’s 24-hour news channel, as Woodchuck Chumley and his crew of reporters cover the political mayhem. Choose from a wide range of animal candidates, ranging from Monkey to Musk Ox to Octopus to Hippo, each with unique political platforms and competitive strengths. Players participate in 16 unique events in the race to the top, such as Political Minefield, Hack the Vote, and Character Assassin, and battle it out in 10 different arenas: waterfalls, mountain tops, factory floors, and more! A unique “teamup” option lets two players mix cooperation with competition, forming alliances and inflicting betrayals – whatever it takes to finish on top.

Hail to the Chimp pokes fun at today’s political news coverage and is content-rich with hours of cut scenes that include fake commercials, political ads and political debates that are fun to play or just watch.

Hail to the Chimp is available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 system at a great price point of $39.99.

For more information on Hail to the Chimp, visit www.HailtotheChimp.com and www.GRRnews.com.

’30 Days of Coldplay’ to Launch July 15 on XM

GRAMMY Award-winning band Coldplay will have a dedicated channel on XM Radio, it was announced today. Beginning July 15, the month-long channel, “30 Days of Coldplay” (XM 51), will provide fans with music from the Coldplay catalog, including import-only released tracks and other hard-to-find recordings and tracks from their new album, an uncut, exclusive concert broadcast from the Viva La Vida North American Tour, plus other live performances, interviews and more. Viva La Vida, the band’s fifth full-length album was released in the U.S. last week and holds the record for the biggest number of pre-sales on iTunes. Their Viva La Vida North American Tour kicks off in Los Angeles on June 29.

“Coldplay is one of the most successful bands of the last decade, winning over fans across the musical spectrum with their unique sound and superb musicianship,” said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM. “With broadcasts of live performances, interviews and the band’s musical catalog, “30 Days of Coldplay” will offer an unparalleled Coldplay experience for both die-hard fans and those who are curious to hear what everyone is talking about.”

Since the band’s formation in London 10 years ago, Coldplay has risen to become one of most popular music acts of the decade, selling more than 30 million albums and winning five GRAMMY Awards. After surfacing in 2000 with the breakthrough single “Yellow,” Coldplay quickly became one of the biggest bands of the new millennium. Parachutes went multi-platinum and earned the band their first Grammy. In 2002, Coldplay released sophomore album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, winning Grammy Awards for “Clocks” and “In My Place.” Coldplay’s third album, X&Y was released in 2005, followed by their latest album, Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends.

“30 Days of Coldplay” (XM 51) will be available on XM from July 15 through August 15. Programming information will be available online soon at http://www.xmradio.com/coldplay.

WALL-E Now Available

THQ Inc. today announced WALL-E, the video game based on the highly-anticipated Disney/Pixar film, has shipped into retail outlets throughout North America for Wii, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP system, Nintendo DS, Games for Windows, Mac and mobile phones. Developed by Heavy Iron Studios, the game will also be made available worldwide in more than 69 countries including UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan and Australia over the coming months. WALL-E is rated E for everyone and is now available for the suggested retail prices of $49.99 (Wii, Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 system), $39.99 (PlayStation 2 system), $29.99 (PSP system, Nintendo DS) and $19.99 (Games for Windows, Mac).

THQ’s long-running and successful relationship with Disney/Pixar has achieved shipments of more than 35 million units worldwide. The launch of WALL-E marks the second installment in the company’s well-established and successful association with Disney/Pixar, which includes rights to create games based on four newly created Disney/Pixar film properties. Last year’s Ratatouille video game was the first property released by THQ under this agreement and was a top performing kids title in 2007.

Genius announces new touch speaker system for $99

Genius, a division of KYE Systems Corp., announced today a new speaker system that has a touch panel screen to control function, volume, bass or treble all with the touch of a finger. Combing fun with great sound, everything is controlled right from the front of the speaker. The adjustable light for the slide bar illuminates when adjustments are made to the SP-T1200, creating a high-tech look and feel. The compact size, mixed with 30-watt sound, make these speakers the perfect companion for laptops and notebooks of all kinds.

Priced at $99.00 MSRP, the 2.0 Touch Speaker System comes in black-onyx for a contemporary look and feel. Perfect for gaming or listening to music in-between class or while on the road, these new speakers are easy and fun to use. The touch panel speaker also features a jack for headphones, audio cable and an accessible “mute” button to turn off the sound when needed. The SP-T1200 are currently available at New Egg.com, Amazon.com, Mac Mall, Tiger Direct, Buy.com or other retailers and distributors listed at http://www.geniusnetusa.com/buy.php.