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Monday, June 23, 2008 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on June 23, 2008 @ 5:27 a.m. PDT

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:

Battlefield: Bad Company (PS3/X360)

Launching on PS3 and Xbox 360, players will join the ‘B’ Company, a wayward band of soldiers more interested in the pursuit of gold and personal financial gain than following the rules.

Battlefield: Bad Company delivers a deep single-player campaign loaded with dark humor, intense combat and deafening destruction. Players take on the role of Preston Marlowe, a young soldier whose antics land him in the division with the highest mortality rate alongside other troublemakers Sarge, Haggard and Sweetwater. Players will tackle harsh terrain and fierce enemies with their squad of renegade soldiers as they search for an elusive treasure using dozens of vehicles, weapons and deadly toys all at their disposal for explosive experimentation.

Gamers can also jump online for some intense multiplayer action as players become either an attacker or defender in the Gold Rush multiplayer mode as they protect or destroy crates that hold precious gold and their ticket home. As gamers embark on their quest for financial freedom, they’ll experience the same classic Battlefield gameplay including access to numerous vehicles, weapons and open maps as well as the new tactical destruction that only Battlefield: Bad Company can deliver. The popular Conquest mode made famous by the Battlefield franchise will be offered as a free download1 later this summer.

Battlefield: Bad Company, rated “T”, will land on retail shelves on June 25 in North America and June 27 in Europe.

Guitar Hero: On Tour (NDS)

Guitar Hero: On Tour brings a new dimension to handheld gaming and gives fans the ability to shred along to their favorite tunes with complete portability.

Packaged with the revolutionary Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral that fits snugly into NDS, and a unique Guitar Hero pick-stylus, Guitar Hero: On Tour delivers a unique experience by challenging handheld gamers to rock out and prove their shredding skills on one of the most diverse set lists ever offered in a Guitar Hero game, including master track hits from Nirvana, OK Go, No Doubt, blink-182 and Bloc Party.

“Guitar Hero: On Tour offers handheld gamers an all-new Guitar Hero experience letting them unleash their inner rock star anywhere, anytime,” said Dusty Welch, Head of Publishing for RedOctane. “Utilizing the innovative Guitar Hero Guitar Grip peripheral and Guitar Hero pick-stylus, and taking full advantage of the unique voice and touch abilities of Nintendo DS, Guitar Hero: On Tour is going to again redefine how fans can experience music.”

Designed from the ground up specifically for Nintendo DS, the game continues to build on the franchise’s signature easy-to-play, yet difficult to master addictive gameplay, and now lets players take their experience wherever they go. Players use the Guitar Hero Guitar Grip, which mimics a guitar fret board, and the Guitar Hero pick-stylus on the touch screen to strum their favorite tunes and create their rock ‘n’ roll legacy in career mode. Fans can also join together to play co-op mode using a local wireless connection, or battle each other in a Guitar Duel using new Battle Items unique to Nintendo DS.

Guitar Hero: On Tour is developed by Vicarious Visions, is rated “E 10+” (Everyone 10 and older) by the ESRB and is available now at retailers nationwide.

Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (Xbox 360)

Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath for the Xbox 360 contains all of the key features from the PC version while adding exclusive enhancements including the revolutionary CommandStick interface, the all-new Kane’s Challenge mode and all of the units, structures and superpowers from Tiberium Wars giving you command over 100 deadly tools of destruction.

"Our team has been very passionate about delivering the same fast, fluid and fun gameplay that has defined the Command & Conquer franchise on the PC to consoles,” said Jim Vessella, Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath producer. “Each time we release a new RTS on consoles, we want to make sure we help continue to bridge that platform gap, and with the CommandStick in Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath we are giving players an unprecedented amount of control.”

Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath on the Xbox 360 features four gameplay modes, including the all-new and exclusive Kane’s Challenge – a grueling gauntlet of 90 matches against nine deadly armies, featuring exclusive cutscenes and taunts from Kane. Skirmish and multiplayer battles are available for up to four players over Xbox LIVE3, with VisionCam support and over 50 maps to choose from. Players will also be able to enjoy a 13-mission story-driven campaign, told through over 40 minutes of high-definition, full-motion videos starring Natasha Henstridge (Species), Carl Lumbly (Alias) and, of course, Joe Kucan as Kane himself. The epic story spans two decades of Tiberium Lore, focusing on the rebirth of the Brotherhood of Nod after the Second Tiberium War through the dramatic events of the Third Tiberium War and beyond.

For more information about Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath, including a full list of the game’s achievements, or the Command & Conquer series, please visit the franchise’s official site at www.CommandAndConquer.com. And be sure to check out the latest news about Command & Conquer 3: Kane’s Wrath, Command & Conquer Red Alert 3 and all things Command & Conquer on Command & Conquer’s own dedicated online programming network, Command & Conquer TV.

Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath, rated 'T' by the ESRB and '16+' by PEGI and the USK, is now available in North America for $39.99.

Supreme Commander (Xbox 360)

Featuring an easy, intuitive control scheme and simple user interface built specifically for the Xbox 360, Supreme Commander redefines the strategy genre for consoles. Adding to the expansive Supreme Commander universe, the Xbox 360 edition features exclusive new units, updated maps and new multiplayer modes, and gamers will be able to take the fight online against players from around the world via Xbox Live.

Supreme Commander allows gamers to take control of one of three factions—the Cybran Nation, Aeon Illuminate or United Earth Federation—and help their chosen faction win the Infinite War once and for all. Each faction has its own goals, experimental units and back-story that lead them to the game’s thrilling climax. Battles rage over land, sea and air, and the command and control system puts the gamer in charge of every aspect of the fight, engaging in titanic land, air and naval battles. The revolutionary Strategic Zoom gives the player the flexibility to control battle groups from a less detailed overhead map view or zoom right down to ground level, where they can issue orders to single units. The game can handle a vast number of units on screen, and players will need every single one to take down enormous experimental units that can change the tide of battle.

Supreme Commander for the Xbox 360 is rated E10+ by the ESRB and is available now for the SRP of $59.99.

Big Beach Sports (Wii)

Now you can experience the fun of the beach regardless of the weather outside or where you live. Big Beach Sports lets up to 4 players compete in a number of exciting outdoor sports including football, volleyball, soccer, cricket, disc golf and bocce in an interactive beach setting.

“Big Beach Sports lets gamers play summer sports they’re familiar with and, in many cases will teach them games they’ve never played before,” said Steve Dauterman, senior vice president of product development, THQ. “Compelling summer sports, an intuitive, easy-to-pick-up control scheme and a fun-filled beach setting make Big Beach Sports a perfect title for all Wii gamers.”

Big Beach Sports brings all of the fun under the sun to your living room, taking players to a seaside resort setting where up to four players can compete in sports including volleyball, soccer, football, bocce, disc golf and cricket. The single player tournament structure encourages players to master each sport through the use of creative control combinations and real-life sport motions. An added innovation for those DS owners, Big Beach Sports lets you export your in game avatar for enhanced customization and import it back into the Wii game. Big Beach Sports is being developed by HB Studios.

Big Beach Sports, rated ‘E’ for Everyone, is currently available in North America ($29.99) and will launch in Europe on June 26th and in Asia Pacific on June 27th.

The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff (PC)

In an innovative collaboration with the popular furniture store, The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff allows players of the beloved franchise to give their Sims’ home a makeover with new furniture and décor based on stylish The Sims 2 "Home Stuff" collection following on the heels of the popular The Sims 2 Kitchen & Bath, which came out April 2008.

The designs by IKEA.The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff is the second release from Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff brings a selection of must-have items from IKEA to key living spaces in the Sims’ home -- the bedroom, the living room and the home office. Whether it is to create a stylish home office, a chic living room, or a vibrant bedroom, with the new The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff, The Sims’ dream home is just a click away. The Sims players can design their rooms to fit their personalities with all-new IKEA made items including a plush EKTORP sofa, MALM bed, LEKSVIK coffee table, EXPEDIT TV, FREDRIK desk and much more. Each item is available in a variety of colors and patterns for a truly customized look. Finishing touches can be added with popular IKEA wall art, mirrors, lighting options and vases. Becoming a Sims’ interior designer with inspiring, contemporary styles from IKEA has never been made easier!

“Bringing the distinctive look of IKEA to The Sims is a perfect match for our stylish players who have a strong appreciation for quality design,” said Rod Humble. “The style and look of the homes in The Sims is such an important aspect of gameplay and with The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff, we offer an extensive array of furnishing and décor items that will fit the tastes of all of our players and allow them to design the home of their dreams.”

The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff is the most recent collaboration with a popular brand name for the most successful PC game of all-time. Last year, The Sims joined with international fashion retailer H&M to form a unique partnership that encouraged fans of The Sims, designers, and fashionistas alike, to participate in The Sims 2 H&M Fashion Runway. Bridging the virtual world and the fashion world like never before, aspiring fashion designers and fans of The Sims submitted designs in six weekly fashion shows simulcast on Yahoo. Additionally, The Sims has had a very successful partnership with Ford. To date, more than 3.3 million Ford vehicles have been downloaded in the game, making The Sims the most successful Ford dealership in the world.

“Our fan base has very distinctive tastes and we are very careful about the companies that we align ourselves with,” said Steve Seabolt. “Collaborations with world renowned brands such as IKEA, H&M, and Ford are perfect fits for our consumers because these are the products our users have an affinity for. Incorporating them in the game enhances the experiences of our players by integrating real world brands and products into the gameplay.”

The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff is on store shelves in the United States, Wednesday, June 25th and in Europe, Friday, June 27.

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