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Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Nov. 19, 2008 @ 3:41 a.m. PST

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:

Alone in the Dark: Inferno (PS3)

The PS3 version of Atari and Eden Games' innovative action survival creation Alone in the Dark: Inferno has shipped to retailers across North America. Following feedback from media and gamers, Atari and Eden Games have given the title a blazing rework for its PS3 debut, delivering an even more entertaining, immersive and action-packed blockbuster experience.

Complementing the launch of the title, world famous Grammy award-nominated electronic music producer and DJ, Tiesto, has created a remix based on the powerful original game score composed by Olivier Deriviere. Available from Tuesday, November 18th, the stunning remix is available at retailers worldwide as CD single, digital download and limited edition 12" picture disk. A teaser of the music video to accompany the remix can be viewed now at the game's website www.centraldark.com.

Alone in the Dark: Inferno features modified gameplay elements including camera, inventory system, and hero control which have all been reworked for maximum immersion and fun. In addition, Alone in the Dark: Inferno includes an all-new action packed stage revealing a previously unseen boss enemy of epic proportions.

Modifications include:

  • Full 360 degree camera control: enhanced camera controls allows complete freedom of the camera and better handling of third person movement for even more immersive gameplay enabling players to view the fire and mass destruction they are causing in all of its glory.
  • Fine-tuned controls: quicker and smoother reactivity of the hero's movements in third person view increases the pace of the game and makes for faster, reflexive gameplay during tense fighting scenarios;
  • Inventory system more accessible: more logical jacket inventory system with the ability to scroll rapidly through the inventory with the D-pad or analogue stick to combine objects. In addition, gameplay is paused when accessing the inventory system to allow maximum creativity in combining items to create unique flammable weapons;
  • More tips: additional on-screen tips will help players quickly adapt to controls and easily understand how to overcome tricky situations;
  • Spectral Vision tuning: a tutorial earlier in the storyline explains the need to burn roots in order to gain spectral vision (a power that grants you the ability to see the unseen) and difficulty tuning means less spectral vision is required to reach the end of the game;
  • Improved car dynamics and handling: driving has been tuned with increased suspension and reduced drifting giving overall better handling to make driving a fun walk in the park every time;
  • 59th Street level tuning: one of the game's most exciting sequences just got better. 59th Street has been tweaked for a more satisfying race against the fissure with difficulty tuning, an added checkpoint at Columbus Circle and clear voice directions given by Sarah;
  • Brand new thrilling action sequence: an exclusive new sequence has been added in Episode 6 for even more excitement and variety of gameplay in the episode.

Alone in the Dark: Inferno stays true to the storyline of the previous versions in which gamers take on the role of paranormal investigator Edward Carnby and over the course of one apocalyptic night must fight to survive and uncover the earth-shattering secret behind New York's Central Park. However, the new edition fully complements the intense storytelling and unprecedented environmental interactions with an array of improved gameplay elements that will give gamers the ultimate Alone in the Dark experience.

Dynasty Warriors 6 (PS2)

Based on the epic novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the genre-defining Dynasty Warriors 6 depicts the massive battles ignited by the fall of the Han Dynasty when rebellious states moved to overthrow the Emperor of China.

Dynasty Warriors 6 delivers the unparalleled exhilaration of single-handedly destroying thousands of soldiers on massive battlefields. Utilizing spectacular fighting techniques motion-captured from some of today's leading stuntmen and stuntwomen in Asia, Dynasty Warriors 6 immerses gamers in a truly cinematic martial arts adventure. The game's lightning-fast fighting, intuitive combat system and breathtaking environments create a visceral gaming experience that pushes the limits of Tactical Action.

Developed by Koei's Omega Force, Dynasty Warriors 6 is rated "T" (Teen - Violence) by the ESRB, and is for 1 to 2 players (offline).

Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis (PC)

Vae Victis is the expansion for the Grand Strategy title Europa Universalis Rome

This expansion focuses on a deeper simulation of the three main government types: Republic, Monarchy and Tribal. Each type now provides a different experience with unique challenges. For example, Republics have a senate that can block diplomacy and task the player with unreasonable missions. Monarchies and tribal states have somewhat less internal strife to contend with, but still need to manage the corresponding Council and Clan Chiefs, respectively ...

Another key feature of Vae Victis is the system of Laws and Decisions. Players can now decide when they want to implement many major changes to their realm, rather than waiting for random events to trigger (much like the system seen in EU3: In Nomine).

The third major new feature in Vae Victis is the altered character system; characters come alive, with ambitions and agendas of their own. At the same time, they are much easier to manage and keep track of: governors control whole regions rather than individual provinces, and there is a new screen for browsing your characters. The player is also allowed to directly control the fates of the characters, for example by banishing, bribing, imprisoning or even executing them.

Apart from adding new features, Vae Victis improves upon EU:Rome at every level; the interface has received an overhaul to make it more user friendly, the military AI has been rewritten, and the strategic AI has been adapted from EU3: In Nomine.

Vae Victis is now available for download on GamersGate.

Hello Kitty Daily (NDS)

The new Hello Kitty title presents an easy way to manage modern day lives spent on the go and has all the tools necessary for young Hello Kitty fans to learn time management and get organized. Hello Kitty Daily is ideal for managing busy schedules, storing friends' contact information, taking notes, keeping track of spending money and even improving efficiency, all with the unique style that Hello Kitty is known for around the world.

Key Features:

  • Timetable: A planner for classes and other important activities
  • Alarm Clock
  • Profile: To customize the DS with personal information
  • Budget: To keep track of daily finances
  • Calculator
  • Diary: A complete agenda for important dates
  • Friend directory: An address book to keep track of all your friends
  • Notepad: An easy and quick way to take notes

Hello Kitty Daily is rated E for Everyone and is now available for a SRP of $29.99.

Lips (X360)

Say goodbye to standing around at boring holiday parties and having your singing relegated to the shower or alone in your car! Microsoft announced today that "Lips," the highly anticipated new singing game exclusively for the Xbox 360 from iNiS Corp., is available at North American retailers. "Lips," an exciting way to enjoy the music you love with friends and family, comes with two wireless motion-sensitive microphones, is available for an ESRP of $69.99 and rated "T" for Teen.

"Lips," is the hottest party game of the holiday season and is not just for fans of rock and roll. With a robust track list of over 40 songs right out of the box from artists like Beyonce, Lupe Fiasco, Nirvana and Rascal Flatts, "Lips" is perfect way to sing and dance the night away.

Not only can everyone sing along, but "Lips" is the first and only music video game that comes with two wireless motion-sensitive microphones, setting the stage for the ultimate performance. The exclusive and stylish microphones feature interactive motion sensors and lights, and respond to your actions with more than 30 different performance-enhancing gestures. With "Lips," busting a move or striking a pose not only gets you bonus points, but can also trigger power bonuses and medals. Additionally, beginning this Friday, the first of many new songs will be available online to add more music you love to the game.

My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr (NDS)

Based on the method outlined in the international best seller, Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking, My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr removes the smoker's belief that smoking provides any genuine pleasure or crutch, and takes away the feeling of deprivation, therefore ridding the smoker of the fear of stopping.

My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr is the latest title to be released under the "My Coach" brand, part of Ubisoft's Games for Everyone division. Made up of a series of games that foster self-improvement while entertaining players at the same time, other titles in the brand include My Weight Loss Coach (for Nintendo DS), which helps players maintain a healthy lifestyle, and My Fitness Coach (for Wii), a game that allows players to create, engage in, and track their own fitness program.

My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB and has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $29.99.

Naruto: The Broken Bond (X360)

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, Naruto: The Broken Bond takes place immediately after the events of Ubisoft's Naruto: Rise of a Ninja and continues the saga of Naruto, who is now a well-respected ninja. Naruto has evolved into a mature and strong hero. However, with his new status comes responsibility, and Naruto soon finds himself surrounded by conflict. Forced to relive bitter memories, Naruto's best friend Sasuke strikes out on a self-destructive quest for power. Now with the help of his friends, Naruto must confront Sasuke and save him before it's too late.

Ubisoft's Naruto series of video games are the only Naruto games that feature an online multiplayer mode that allows players to compete against each other in online tournaments. Players can now choose from 30 characters and play alongside friends to defeat other teams online via Xbox Live online entertainment network.

First introduced in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan in 1999, Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto, quickly became that country's most popular ninja manga (graphic novel) targeting tweens and teens and has sold more than 80 million copies to-date. Today, Naruto is considered one of the most popular animated series in Japan's history and has achieved immense success not only as a manga and TV series, but also in the realm of licensed categories such as toys, trading card games and video games. Naruto enjoys further widespread domestic success where it debuted as the best selling manga title in North America. The manga series (also published by VIZ Media) has now sold over three million copies to-date in the US and regularly appears on USA Today's Bestseller list and Bookscan's Graphic Novel Top 50. Naruto is one of the most popular Japanese animated series in North America and is also distributed domestically by VIZ Media. The show is regularly ranked as the #1 program for boys aged 6-17 on Cartoon Network's Toonami block of programming.

Naruto: The Broken Bond has an ESRB rating of "T" (Teen) and has an MSRP of $59.99 USD.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir (PC)

Developed by world-renowned studio Obsidian Entertainment, the second expansion pack for the acclaimed Neverwinter Nights 2 delivers thrilling original D&D adventures made even more exciting by a host of new gameplay features.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir builds on the strong tradition of Dungeons & Dragons computer games by marrying old-school concepts like full party customization and dungeon crawling with new innovations, such as a fully 3D Overland Map feature which allows for free exploration of the non-linear game world. The gripping storyline foreshadows the events that devastate the land of the Forgotten Realms in the Fourth Edition of the Dungeons & Dragons Role-Playing Game released in June 2008.

The Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir Overland Map feature lets players explore the Chultan Peninsula and Sword Coast in a way never before possible in any Neverwinter Nights game. Players will explore well-known locations, like Neverwinter and Crossroad Keep, alongside lesser travelled areas, such as the xenophobic jungle nation of Samarach. Vicious monsters and groups of bandits populate the Overland Map, and the farther from civilization the player roams, the more difficult the encounters become.

The 20 to 30-hour campaign in Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir introduces new classes, including the fearsome Hellfire Warlock and the daring Swashbuckler, as well as brand-new spells, creatures, and playable races. Fans of the compelling multiplayer features of Neverwinter Nights 2 will be able to play through Storm of Zehir's campaign in the online cooperative mode, while modders can use the included editor to create their own campaigns and Overland Maps to share online.

Game Features:

  • Travel the Sword Coast and Samarach with the open-ended exploration of the new Overland Map. Use skills like Spot, Survival, and Hide to avoid ambushes and even find hidden locales and lost artifacts.
  • Create your own full party of adventurers. Devastate your foes with a squad of fireball-flinging Sorcerers, form a solid wall of steel with a party of Fighters, or strike the perfect balance in your party by spreading out the classes you choose for your characters.
  • Improved party gameplay with a sophisticated party conversation system, full party creation, and Teamwork Benefits.

Neverwinter Nights 2: Storm of Zehir, rated T for Teens, is now available for the suggested price of $29.99.

Skate It (NDS/Wii)

Gamers can feel the rush of nailing the perfect skate line by using the Wii Remote, nunchuck and Nintendo DS stylus controls. Or they can get in touch with the skateboard even more by planting their feet on the Wii Balance Board and using it to skate, manual and throw down dozens of other authentic moves.

"We wanted to reinvigorate the action sports genre for the Nintendo audience," said Scott Blackwood, Executive Producer, Black Box. "Skate It is not only true to the soul of the Skate franchise, but also leverages everything unique about the Wii and Nintendo DS, making it one of the best and most intuitive skateboarding games for the Nintendo platforms."

In Skate It, gamers return to a destroyed San Vanelona, where they'll skate their favourite skate spots, customize areas to make them their own, and earn the opportunity to travel the world, all on their path to becoming Thrasher Magazine's Skater of the Year. The game also boasts a variety of high-action multiplayer challenges that will have players competing for ultimate bragging rights.

Black Box will also be partnering with Rob Dyrdek to bring his new toy line, Wild Grinders that is debuting in January 2009 to the Nintendo DS version. Characters from the toy line will be unlockable in the Nintendo DS version of the game. Players can find the passcode on the boxed product for each character, and can learn more about Rob's toy line and merchandise on the Wild Grinders website, www.wildgrinders.com.

Developed by EA Montreal, Skate It, rated "E" for Everyone, hits retailers in North America today and in Europe starting November 20th for the Wii and NDS.

Sonic Unleashed (PS2/Wii)

Packed with stunning internationally-inspired locations and classic fast-paced gameplay, Sonic Unleashed promises an action-packed adventure for gamers of all ages featuring an extensive variety of missions and puzzle stages as well as unlockable content throughout the game for players to uncover.

Developed by Sonic Team in Japan, Sonic Unleashed is filled with classic 2D/3D gameplay and incredibly fast daytime action. Sonic has a series of new moves that make him even faster including the Sonic Drift (to corner quickly without losing speed), Ring Energy (faster speeds brings more ring energy), QuickStep (to move side to side without losing momentum), and Sonic Boost (uses Ring Energy to give Sonic a speed boost)-each move allows Sonic to reach unparalleled high speeds. Bringing a new twist on the Sonic series, Sonic Unleashed also introduces the Werehog – Sonic's dark alter ego who comes out when the moon shines bright. Within the nightime levels, players can take advantage of the Werehog's strong and flexible arms to fight tough enemies using his powerful punch and crazy combat moves. Gamers can also use the Werehog's stretchy abilities to climb and swing reaching all new heights in the game.

Sonic Unleashed takes players around the world to beautiful environments inspired by Greece, China, Africa, the Arctic and many other exotic lands filled with twists and turns. In this epic adventure, Dr.Robotnik has once again wreaked havoc and, using the Chaos Emeralds, awakened a dark force known as the Dark Gaia. When the Dark Gaia wakes, he breaks apart the world, leaving Sonic to bring it back together. But the power used to wake this evil creature has also impacted our hero. When the nighttime arrives, Sonic transforms into the Werehog. Playing both daytime and nighttime levels, players will explore amazing environments and uncover a series of alternate paths, all with the goal to bring the world back to one united planet.

Sonic Unleashed will be available for the Xbox 360 on Nov. 24, 2008 and on the PS3 in Dec. 2008.

A Vampyre Story (PC)

The point-and-click adventure game A Vampyre Story tells the tale of the beautiful, gifted opera singer Mona De Lafitte, whose life is brought to an abrupt end by a vampire baron named Shrowdy Von Kiefer. Henceforth, she is doomed to a miserable existence as a creature of the night in Von Kiefer's gloomy castle in Draxsylvania. Confronted with her seemingly hopeless fate, she decides to run away and try to fulfill her dream of singing at the Paris Opera. Accompanied by her mischievous bat Froderick, Mona must face a number of challenges in her odyssey and learn not only to accept her vampire nature, but also to use the abilities she has acquired to her advantage.

In more than 50 hand-drawn locations, the player's task is to guide Mona through Draxsylvania and to Paris by using his powers of deduction. Having a bent for extremely dark humor also helps... Along the way, Mona meets a wealth of partly endearing, partly frightening, but often just plain weird characters, including the inventor Dr. Riga Mortus, the gypsy Madame Strigoi, and Carpathia the wolfwoman.

A Vampyre Story has been penned by Bill Tiller, the founder of Autumn Moon Entertainment. A former employee of Lucas Arts, Tiller won himself a place in the hearts of adventure fans through his work on titles such as Steven Spielberg's The Dig, the legendary The Curse of Monkey Island, and Indiana Jones. A Vampyre Story combines modern 3D animation with the qualities of classic 2D adventure design and a highly unusual style which can best be compared with the works of Tim Burton or Edward Gorey.

All of this contributes toward making A Vampyre Story the first classic adventure for players of the 21st century, with the look and feel, humor and class of the cult graphic adventures.

Key Features:

  • A point-and-click adventure game created by former LucasArts employees.
  • Over 50 hand-painted locations, in part over several screens, to explore and investigate.
  • Over 20 characters, from plain weird to downright terrifying.
  • Over 20 hours of brainteasing fun.
  • Vampire abilities influence game events.

A Vampyre Story is now available for download on GamersGate.

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