Unreal Engine 3's new toolset is designed specifically to accelerate developers' productivity for ultra-complex, next-generation content. Additional information on Unreal Engine can be obtained at unrealtechnology.com.

Romantics lose Guitar Hero case
Posted by M @ 12:31 p.m. NZDT

A federal judge in the US has denied the Romantics' request to stop the use of the song What I Like About You in Activision's popular video game, Guitar Hero Rocks the 80s, ensuring that sales of the game will continue. In making the ruling, Judge Edmunds indicated that to the extent there were any copyright issues, Activision did exactly what the company was supposed to do in developing the product.

Activision says it is pleased with the ruling and thinks that the case is without merit. "Respect for all artists is an important value of the company and Activision has a long history of supporting artists from a range of entertainment fields." The company believes video games represent a growing opportunity for the music industry to reach new audiences and a strong source of potential license revenue for both bands and music publishers.

Founded in 1979, Activision posted nett revenues of US$1.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007.

International CES focusing on free trade
Posted by M @ 12:08 p.m. NZDT

The 2008 International CES, the world's largest tradeshow for consumer technology, scheduled for January 7-10 in Las Vegas, will again feature the latest and most advanced consumer electronics products the world has to offer. And this year for the first time, the show will also focus on an important and often overlooked component of the success of the CE industry: international free trade.

A distinguished series of speakers and panels, as well as other activities, will highlight the importance and need for free trade policies that will expand economies and create new jobs.

"The technology industry is a shining star in many world economies, including the US, and that simply would not be the case without international trade," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), producer of the International CES. "Now, more than ever, the industry must demonstrate to US policymakers that free and open trade – not self-defeating protectionism – are the keys to innovation and world economic progress."

Trade-related highlights:

• Ambassador Susan Schwab, United States Trade Representative, will discuss the state of trade in today's global economy, and the ramifications on the CE industry.
• A new CES Industry Insider Series programme, Technology and Emerging Countries: Advancing Development Through Technology Investments, will delve into the role consumer technology plays in long-term development of emerging economies. This inaugural programme, consisting of keynote addresses, panel sessions and demonstrations of technologies, will feature top technologists and government officials, including His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda.
• Top government officials and business leaders from around the world will participate in the Technology and Emerging Countries Programme and other trade events throughout the International CES. Countries represented include Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, China and the United Arab Emirates.

Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword shipping for DS in March
Posted by M @ 11:24 a.m. NZDT

Tecmo has announced that Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword, the action game for the Nintendo DS, will be shipping in March of 2008.

Developed by Executive Producer Tomonobu Itagaki and the Team Ninja development studio, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword features beautifully rendered environments, fast Ninja Gaiden-style action, numerous enemies, and a new story. With the use of the DS stylus, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword will let players control Master Ninja Ryu Hayabusa like never before.

Various directional movements and taps with the DS stylus will activate Ryu Hayabusa to run, jump, attack, and cast Ninpo (Ninja Magic). Certain combinations of movements will allow players to perform special attacks like the "Izuna Drop" and the "Cicada Slash" which were made famous in the Ninja Gaiden console games.

"Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword brings a new level of gaming action to the Nintendo DS," says Yoh Watanabe, Tecmo's marketing manager. "There's currently a demo available on the DS Download Station and I urge everyone to try it out and you'll know what I mean."

Dark Messiah Elements website, Xbox demo launched
Posted by M @ 10:58 a.m. NZDT

Ubisoft kicks off the countdown to the release of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements with the launch of the game's official website, darkmessiahelements.com.

The website will allow gamers to access the most up-to-date information on Sareth's quest adapted to Xbox 360. Visitors will learn more about the storyline, and key features of the game, and get the most up-to-date content and assets about the game.

A playable demo of Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements is also now available on Xbox Live Market Place.

The demo includes two maps where players can discover the first map of the single-player mode and choose to be whether a Knight or a Mage, with their different skills. A multiplayer map allows the players to choose between any of the four available classes for their heroes and to challenge other players in Deathmatch, Blitz mode or earn their spurs through Training mode.

Developed by Ubisoft Annecy, Dark Messiah of Might and Magic: Elements will launch on Xbox 360 on 10th January.

Developed at SOE's Denver, CO studio, Legends of Norrath is the first online strategy game based on and playable from within SOE's popular franchises EverQuest and EverQuest II, as well as from a free stand-alone client. Launching from a menu within either MMO or using a free SOE Station ID (available at tation.com) in the stand-alone client, players can challenge opponents on their game server and across other EQ and EQII servers.

Record earnings expected for Activision
Posted by M @ 11:36 p.m. NZDT

Activision has announced that, based on better than expected consumer response to its holiday slate worldwide, the company is raising its nett revenue and earnings per diluted share outlook for the third quarter, ending December 31, 2007 and fiscal year 2008. Activision's revised outlook marks the highest nett revenues and earnings per diluted share in the company's history for both the third quarter and full fiscal year.

For the fiscal third quarter, Activision expects record nett revenues of US$1.375 billion and earnings per diluted share of $0.76, an increase from the company's prior nett revenues outlook of $1.225 billion and earnings outlook of $0.66 per diluted share.

The company's per share outlook for the third quarter includes costs associated with its recently announced agreement to merge with Vivendi. Excluding the impact of equity based compensation expense, the company expects earnings per diluted share for the third quarter of $0.80, as compared to the company's previous outlook of $0.70.

For the full fiscal year 2008, Activision expects record nett revenues of $2.45 billion and earnings per diluted share of $0.85, as compared to its previous outlook of nett revenues of $2.30 billion and earnings per diluted share of $0.75. The company's per share outlook for the full fiscal year includes costs associated with its recently announced agreement with Vivendi.

"Activision is the number one US console and handheld publisher, according to the recently announced results from The NPD Group, for calendar 2007 through November," said Robert Kotick, Chairman and CEO, Activision, Inc. "The company increased its market share for the eleven month period to a record 16.8%, a 7.9% increase over the same period last year. We continue to see strong audience excitement for our products and as a result we are again raising our financial outlook for the December quarter and the fiscal year."

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 first details
Posted by M @ 11:01 p.m. NZDT

Ubisoft has revealed the first details for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2, currently in production for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

Scheduled for a March 2008 release and developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the sixth iteration of the multimillion-selling Rainbow Six tactical shooter franchise and follow-up to the highly successful and award-winning Rainbow Six Vegas.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the last chance for gamers to rescue America's sexiest city from an escalating terrorist siege that will impose heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The best are back and this time winner takes all. The highly-anticipated sequel will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.

Product Highlights:

• More Multiplayer – The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas has been upgraded to include 13 new maps with more intense face-offs, two new adversarial modes, more rewards, and easier access to matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system.

• Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that persists through both the single player and multiplayer modes and progresses along with you. Reap the benefits of your single player rewards in multiplayer and vice versa.

• Vastly Improved Co-op Mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time, just by jumping into the game. Now you and a friend can jump into a single player game and assist without any change to the story. The single player maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, meaning every map has multiple entry points and the story is unaffected.

• Challenging AI – The AI is more challenging than ever. Now, the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night vision, and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying tactics – all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every time you go into battle. As you progress within the game, you'll be able to outsmart your enemies by taking advantage of intelligence opportunities, such as thermal scanning.

• New Weapons and Armor – Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New camouflage, clothing and gear allow for the ultimate customizations.

• More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all new Vegas hot spots and the gritty back streets creating a visual experience that is as challenging as it is breathtaking.

Bomb-Up Pack 3 for Boxing Day
Posted by M @ 1:18 a.m. NZDT

Hudson Soft is releasing Bomb-Up Pack 3, the third add-on pack for Bomberman Live. This new add-on pack will add more than a dozen new features, including ten new characters, two additional levels, two new leaderboards, and a brand new game mode. Bomb-Up Pack 3 is expected to launch on December 26/27 and will cost 250 Microsoft Points.

With these latest additions, players will be able to further enjoy the non-stop, explosive action of Bomberman Live in new arenas, including "Cavity Land," a delicious candy land, and the fully-automated assembly lines of "Robot Factory."

"We've enjoyed great success with Bomberman Live and all of its additional downloadable content," said John Greiner, President and CEO of Hudson Entertainment. "We strive to give gamers what they want, including tournaments, and providing content via Xbox Live is a great way to do so."

This Bomberman Live add-on pack will add the following features:

• Ten New Characters – With new characters like "Shinobi Bomb" the ninja and "Bomb2-D2" the robot, players can customize their in-game Bomberman in even more new ways.
• Two Additional Levels – New arenas include "Cavity Land," a sugary sweet candy land, and the industrial "Robot Factory." Both levels allow users to select any gimmick to use.
• One New Game Mode – In "Friendly Fire," there's no place to hide as you race to get the most frags. Players start with the "power bomb" power-up and hard blocks are replaced by holes, leaving nothing to stop explosions, except Bombermen.
• Two New Leaderboards – Gaze down upon the Bomberman masses from atop two new ranking systems on the Xbox LIVE® network. The new leaderboards will track performance on both a weekly and an all-time basis for the new "Friendly Fire" game mode.

The overall design appeals to gamers of all ages, and to both men and women. The game is simple enough: from a top-down perspective, you compete against other players in a grid-like arena. Your only weapon is a bomb, which you can drop to clear out obstacles or to knock out your opponents. Players can pick up upgrades, which become available when they clear obstacles, to increase their chances of winning.

First track pack download for Legends of Rock
Posted by M @ 11:22 p.m. NZDT

Master recordings from Linkin Park, Mastadon and The Used will be available as a downloadable track pack for Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock this month. Additionally, Activision will offer single song downloads from such popular European bands as Extremoduro, Trust and Die Fantastischen Vier, as well as a free, exclusive rock rendition of the holiday classic, We Three Kings, recorded by Steve Ouimette.

The Track Pack, single song downloads, and free holiday classic will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3. The Track Pack includes master recordings of No More Sorrow (Linkin Park), Sleeping Giant (Mastadon) and Pretty Handsome Awkward (The Used). The single song downloads offer such popular singles as So Payaso, from Extremoduro, Antisocial from Trust, and Ernten Was Wir Säen (Reap What We Sow) from Die Fantastischen Vier (Fantastic Four).

For more information, visit guitarhero.com.

Burnout Paradise soundtrack list
Posted by M @ 11:21 a.m. NZDT

Guns n' Roses' high-intensity rock anthem Paradise City headlines the playlist in Burnout Paradise for PS3 and Xbox 360. The music propels the game into high speed action with 40 major artists including Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Twisted Sister, Jimmy Eat World and N.E.R.D., as well as rising stars Airbourne, Jupiter One and Junkie XL who have been signed to EA's own music label, Artwerk.

Set to release January 25, Burnout Paradise offers a true open world environment built for intense speed, excitement, and exploration within Paradise City. Feel the aggression in the streets off and online, as friends can connect instantly in one another's game to heat up the competition.

Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA, said, "Burnout is one of the world's most popular racing franchises and demands a soundtrack that matches the game's intensity at every level. We believe we've crafted a truly volatile mix of rock's most dangerous tracks - beginning with the iconic Paradise City - for an audio fuel as explosive as the game itself."

The complete in-game soundtrack for Burnout Paradise includes:

Adam And The Ants - Stand and Deliver
Agent Blue - Snowhill
Airbourne - Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
Alice In Chains - Would?
Army Of Me - Going Through Changes
Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
B'z - Friction
Brain Failure featuring Dicky Barrett - Coming Down to Beijing
Brand New - The Archers Bows Have Broken
Bromheads Jacket - Fight Music For the Fight
Depeche Mode - Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)
Faith No More - Epic
Guns 'n' Roses - Paradise City
Innerpartysystem - Heart of Fire
Jane's Addiction - Stop!
Jimmy Eat World - Electable (Give it Up)
Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket - Cities In Dust
Jupiter One - Fire Away
Kerli - Creepshow
Killswitch Engage - My Curse
LCD Soundsystem - Us v Them
Make Good Your Escape - Beautiful Ruin
Maxeen - Block Out the World
Mexicolas - Come Clean
N.E.R.D. - Rockstar (Jason Nevins Mix)
Never Heard of It* - Finger On the Trigger
Operator - Nothing to Lose
Permanent ME - Until You Leave
Saosin - Collapse
Seether - Fake It
Senses Fail - Calling All Cars
Showing Off To Thieves* - Everyone Has Their Secrets
Skybombers - It Goes Off
Soundgarden - Rusty Cage
Sugarcult - Dead Living
Swervedriver - Duel
The Photo Atlas - Red Orange Yellow
The Pigeon Detectives - I'm Not Sorry
The Styles - Glitter Hits (J.J. Puig Mix)
Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock

*Winner of the second international Burnout Bandslam competition.