Tag: gaming

NAMCO BANDAI BRINGING TWO FRANCHISES TO NINTENDO 3DS

ACE COMBAT 3D, and PAC-MAN PARTY 3D to Release in (You Guessed It) Stereoscopic 3D

PRESS RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 7, 2011) -Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced that ACE COMBAT(r)3D and PAC-MAN PARTY ™ 3D are in development for Nintendo 3DS(tm). These titles illustrate the company’s commitment to bringing its most popular gaming franchises to all new and emerging platforms. Leveraging the power of the Nintendo 3DS system, each of the games takes full advantage of the system’s unique features, bringing a new dimension to these classic series.

“The Nintendo 3DS presents us with a great opportunity to craft captivating game worlds for players to enjoy in full 3D, bringing them closer to the action than ever before,” says Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “From the arcade to portable devices, we’ve strived to give loyal fans the best gameplay experience and look to expand this proud legacy by bringing some of NAMCO BANDAI’s most cherished IPs to the Nintendo 3DS.”

ACE COMBAT 3D soars to the Nintendo 3DS platform with an intense 3D experience that delivers supersonic flying, exciting dogfights and high-altitude acrobatics. With touch screen targeting and added control mechanics, players take full command of every intense skirmish to enable split-second counter-maneuvers, dynamic dogfight action and satisfying enemy takedowns. Fans of the series can look forward to a wide variety of real-world aircrafts to pilot, and a diverse range of missions to take on.

PAC-MAN PARTY 3D brings together family and friends with a fun experience that includes dozens of mini-games for gamers to play with or against each other. Perfect for the whole family, PAC-MAN PARTY 3D features a variety of control styles that utilize the system’s buttons, touchscreen, microphone, and accelerometer. With support for download play, friends can join in on the fun using just one cartridge shared across Nintendo 3DS systems.

ACE COMBAT 3D and PAC-MAN PARTY 3D will be available for Nintendo 3DS later this year.

GO VACATION(tm) COMING TO Wii THIS FALL

NAMCO BANDAI Takes Wii Players to Four Unique Destinations and Dozens of Vacation Activities

PRESS RELEASE

SANTA CLARA, Calif., (June 7, 2011) – Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. today announced Go Vacation(tm) for the Wii(tm) system will be available Fall 2011. Set on the resort of Kawawii Island, Go Vacation brings an open-ended world of exploration and adventure that includes engaging activities for the entire family to enjoy. With a fun variety of activities to play, Go Vacation is the perfect gaming getaway.

From snowcapped mountains to the bright lights of a bustling cityscape, Go Vacation gives gamers the option to take part in heated street races, relaxing scuba diving excursions and pulse-pounding skydiving sessions and more-all accessed by actually visiting each location in-game instead of simply choosing them from a menu. With support for a whole suite of Wii hardware accessories, including the Wii Balance Board(tm), the Wii Zapper(tm) and Wii MotionPlus(tm), every activity offers a fun and natural control scheme that allows gamers to easily jump in and play.

“Go Vacation offers the perfect break for parents, kids, friends and family to escape the hustle and bustle of work and school to just relax, have fun, and for the first time in this genre, actually roam around these exotic locales in search for the perfect activity,” said Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing, NAMCO BANDAI Games America. “Each game and activity across these massive resorts builds upon NAMCO BANDAI’s strength in making fun and engaging gameplay experiences that everyone can enjoy-a craft we’ve been cultivating for decades since PAC-MAN(r) and Galaga(r).”

Each of the resort locations in Kawawii Island offer their own distinctive landscape and thematic adventures. From inline skating, hang gliding, surfing, skydiving, horseback riding, tennis, fishing, snowboarding, street racing, dancing and more, there is no shortage of activities for players to take part in.

XFIRE AND GAMERSFIRST ANNOUNCE MULTI-GAME BUNDLE PARTNERSHIP

Bundled Games To Offer Increased Level Of Social Interactivity

PRESS RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, June 7, 2011 – Xfire (http://www.xfire.com), the world’s leading social tools resource and provider for PC gamers, today announced its partnership with GamersFirst (http://www.gamersfirst.com), the world leader in Free2Play® massively multiplayer online games, to bring its services to three of their premier games: *APB Reloaded, WarRock, and Sword 2*. Xfire provides GamersFirst with its private-labeled in-game social toolset, such as: in-game text and voice chat, user generated content for screen captures, video capture and live video streaming, game-hour tracking, one-click game joining, and much more. Xfire is also managing socially driven campaigns to promote GamersFirst titles to Xfire users, including Xfire Play2Win events. The programs are expected to drive significant volumes of high quality traffic for GamersFirst.

“We all know the market is shifting its focus to socially connected games; the days of playing video games by yourself are long gone; now it’s all about being interconnected via the web and other devices,” said Xfire President, Mark Donovan. “GamersFirst and many other free-to-play publishers are recognizing the need to add enhanced social features to their games, but they are tough and expensive to build. Customized Xfire bundles and promotional programs are the most cost-effective solution to drive acquisition and engagement for game publishers.”

With Xfire, users can text and voice-chat with their friends and even browse the Internet directly inside GamersFirst-bundled games, along with more than
2,300 other titles, so players do not have to leave their game. Gamers can capture and share screen shots and videos; in fact, Xfire users recorded more than 20 million screen shots in 2010 and Xfire has the world’s largest cache of gaming content. Xfire users can broadcast live game play on the Internet, and they currently stream 75 million minutes of live game play each month. Xfire users can also track their game-play through their personal gamer profile.

“Our partnership with Xfire parallels closely with GamersFirst’s ongoing mission to place the player’s community first while adding value for our gamers and improving our player acquisition and engagement. Today’s gamer wants to share, interact, cooperate and compete with other players, and our partnership with Xfire extends us further into the gamers’ community,” said Rahul Sandil, SVP of Marketing and Public Relations for GamersFirst. “Active player communities have been a key factor to our decade-long experience in sustainable free to play MMOs and we are certain that Xfire will further enhance our position in the global market.”

*GamersFirst Game Highlights*
• *APB Reloaded*: Currently in its open beta testing stage,* APB Reloaded* is a massively multiplayer online third-person shooter game based in the modern-day fictional city of San Paro. In a state of near anarchy, players choose between two factions, Enforcers and Criminals, in order to control the city. Criminals and Enforcers battle in this open-world environment to control territories, commit or stop petty crimes, and gain notoriety within their own organizations. Be it on foot or from the driver seat, *APB Reloaded* melds player-on-player combat within the immersive world of a city on the edge of total chaos. With a robust set of customization tools, gamers can choose the exact look of their in-game avatar, character crests, clothing and even the cars they drive.

• *WarRock**: War Rock* is GamersFirst’s premier tactical massively
multiplayer online first-person shooter. Set in the fictional land of the Republic of Derbaran, War Rock allows players to join the fight for freedom as a NIU Rebel or enlist in the Derbaran Military to crush subversion. Gamers can choose one of five branches of service with unique abilities and team roles. As an Engineer, Medic, Assault Trooper, Sniper or Heavy Trooper, gamers can traverse the battlefield as they progress from objective to objective, gaining rank and unlocking new weapons, vehicles and equipment while experiencing live one-on-one or squad-based combat.

• *Sword 2**:* *Sword 2* is an action-packed tactical fantasy MMORPG
inspired by Europe’s exploration of the Americas. Gamers can delve into a visually stunning world of fantastic Baroque architecture and conspiracy and have the possibility of becoming a key representative of one of the political factions that constantly vie for power. Players explore and adventure in a world of political intrigue, conflict and danger either solo or by joining forces with other Pioneering Families to battle enemies and eventually control the world of Granada Espada.

King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame Gameplay Trailer Unveiled

When the greatest tale of chivalry ends, the nightmare begins.

PRESS RELEASE

E3 Los Angeles June 7th, 2011 – Paradox Interactive announced today their first in-game trailer for King Arthur II: The Role-Playing Wargame, the highly anticipated sequel for the fantasy role-playing RTS series. The story begins long after young Arthur pulled the enchanted sword out of the stone and united the war-torn lands of Britannia. Where legends normally end, King Arthur II begins its own gruesome tale…

To watch the King Arthur II in-game trailer, please visit:

Critically praised by reviewers and gamers alike, King Arthur was seen as one of the biggest surprises to emerge on the gaming scene in 2010, and now the fantasy roleplaying RTS returns in a sequel to push the boundaries of the genre even further.
Features:

– Dark fantasy setting. King Arthur is now the Maimed King, trying to mend a land torn asunder as he strives to heal himself
– Stunning plotline, heroic battles and expanded morality chart that unlocks new features
– Large scale battles, with bigger armies to defeat more powerful foes
– Intense boss fights, where the hero’s forces are pitted against unique and terrifying foes
– Wide range of camera control options, revised animations and an extensive tutorial creating a more accessible and visually stunning experience

Majesco teams with NBA to develop new franchise

The new NBA video game is scheduled for commercial release in spring 2012.

PRESS RELEASE

EDISON, N.J., June 7th, 2011 – Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ:COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced that it has teamed with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to begin development of an original video game basketball franchise.

The new NBA video game, which will be unlike most traditional sports video games, is scheduled for commercial release in spring 2012. Utilizing motion-based gaming technology, the game will be a fun and casual interactive experience.

“Majesco consumers are interested in branded gameplay, and we are excited to be teaming with a global brand like the NBA, to develop a unique and fun gaming experience,”said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco.

YOOSTAR ENTERTAINMENT AND MTV TEAM UP FOR KINECT FOR XBOX360

New Product Allows Players to Star In And Share Scenes From Top MTV Shows

PRESS RELEASE

NEW YORK, NY, June 7, 2011 – Yoostar’s social “video karaoke” performance platform introduces a new way for fans to interact with the MTV universe as Yoostar Entertainment Group (www.yoostar.com) and MTV today announced Yoostar on MTV. Making its debut this week at the 2011 E3 Expo, Yoostar on MTV utilizes the Kinect for Xbox 360 to offer players fun and excitement as they are transported directly into some of the best and most memorable MTV shows, programming and events.

“MTV has always been on the cutting-edge of pop culture, constantly defining the passions of today’s youth,” said Nicholas Reichenbach, Chief Content Officer, Yoostar Entertainment Group. “With our newly upgraded Virtual Green Screen technology, VGS 2.0, players can seamlessly insert themselves into some of the best and most beloved MTV programming and franchises ever.”

“We are truly excited to partner with Yoostar to provide fans with a fully interactive way to experience some of their favorite MTV shows of all time.” said Alex Ferrari, COO, MTV Music Group and LOGO. “This venture with Yoostar allows us to expand and deliver MTV content in a new manner, deepening our audience engagement through a fun video game and social
performance network that allows players to relive their favorite moments
from MTV shows and put themselves right in the middle of the action.”

In addition to unveiling the exciting new content of Yoostar on MTV at E3 Expo, the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games and related products, Yoostar will showcase its new technology upgrades. VGS 2.0, the next revolution in Yoostar’s performance video technology, works in conjunction with the Kinect for Xbox 360 to enhance in-game image quality and deliver virtual green screen performance like never before.
Yoostar on MTV will also include full support of the Xbox 360 4GB Console, giving players the ability to save and upload their scenes without the need for a hard drive.

Yoostar on MTV will be on display at the 2011 E3 Expo in meeting room #309 in the Yoostar Entertainment Private Meeting Room #309 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. To highlight the public E3 debut of the game, Snoop Dogg will be making a public appearance on Wednesday, June
8 @ 11:00 a.m. in the Yoostar Entertainment Private Meeting Room.