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Thursday, October 1, 2009 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Oct. 1, 2009 @ 5:16 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:


We will update this throughout the day when new announcements become available. Read more for details ...

Gran Turismo (PSP)

Developed from start to finish by Polyphony Digital Inc. (PDI), Gran Turismo, built for optimal performance on a portable platform, delivers its signature realism and high quality of design.

Packed to the roofline with features, Gran Turismo for the PSP system remains true to the integrity of the acclaimed franchise while offering accessibility to all skill levels. More than 800 vehicles from the world's top manufacturers are featured in the game - all with true-to-life driving dynamics specific to each model - with players able to select over 4,500 total paint variations. Gran Turismo also includes more than 35 tracks and over 70 variations on those tracks, including original courses, famous world circuits, city courses and other fun racing environments, including Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca, Nurburgring Nordschleife, Tokyo Route 246, a Seattle city course and a Grand Canyon rally track. All racing is delivered at an incredible 60 frames-per-second, providing players with an ultra-realistic and smooth gameplay experience.

"Unlike any other portable racing game, the Gran Turismo series delivers the most authentic racing experience on the PSP," said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. "With more than 800 vehicles, 35 tracks and various gameplay modes available, Gran Turismo puts the world's greatest car collection at your fingertips, no matter where you are."

Gran Turismo features robust single player and ad hoc multiplayer modes that introduce players to the racing franchise while satisfying even the most die hard gearhead. Starting with the Driving Challenge mode, over 100 challenge races are presented and trophies are awarded depending on the player's performance. In standard Single Player races, the dynamic difficulty level adjusts opponents based on the driver's skill and wins/losses, keeping the action progressive and fun. In addition, single players can also race against the clock and their own abilities in one of two Trial modes, Time Trial and Drift Trial. Multiple players of any skill level can go head-to-head using PSP's ad hoc mode, with a selection of head-to-head races that keeps the action fresh by challenging faster drivers with slower cars and time penalties. In a first for the Gran Turismo franchise, players will also be able to trade and share their purchased vehicles via ad hoc mode. Most vehicles can be shared freely, while the most exclusive models are available to trade only. For those who like to look under the hood, a Quick Tune feature allows players to designate 30 favorite vehicles which can be Quick Tuned, while all vehicles have detailed descriptions, including historical backgrounds.

Gran Turismo, rated "E" for Everyone, is available on both UMD and as a downloadable product via PlayStation Network.

Red Faction: Guerrilla Smasher Pack (PS3/X360)

The Smasher Pack introduces 8 additional maps for the Wrecking Crew multiplayer mode, as well as the new “Behemoth” mode.  In this mode, players can trade out more conventional weapons for the powerful walkers. The three Walkers - Heavy Mining Walker, Light Mining Walker, and Combat Walker – each have different features and strengths to allow players to cause a whole new level of destruction in Wrecking Crew mode. Red Faction: Guerrilla’s Smasher Pack is available on Xbox Live for 400 Microsoft points and PlayStation Network for $4.99. 

The Price Is Right 2010 Edition (NDS/Wii/PC)

Both games feature single- or multiplayer modes so that more people can get in on the fun and play together. Additionally, each game allows players to design and customize their own personal avatar and also offers a host of special unlockable content to reward players as they progress. The games have been created by Ludia and are licensed by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME).

Now packed with even more popular pricing games than ever (including Golden Road, Safe Crackers, Secret X and many more) plus tons of new and upgraded game graphics and customizable avatars, The Price Is Right 2010 Edition is the closest that fans can come to Contestant's Row, the Big Wheel & the Showcase without actually being on the show. Featuring two distinct game modes (Classic, where contestants must win at Contestant's Row before getting access to pricing games and Three Strikes, where contestants get three tries to make it on stage to play pricing games), there are hours of fun to be had for the entire family.

Family Feud 2010 Edition (NDS/Wii/PC)

Both games feature single- or multiplayer modes so that more people can get in on the fun and play together. Additionally, each game allows players to design and customize their own personal avatar and also offers a host of special unlockable content to reward players as they progress. The games have been created by Ludia and are licensed by FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME).

Just like on the top-rated TV show, the Family Feud 2010 Edition game pits two families against each other in a contest to name the most popular responses to survey-type questions posed to 100 people. The game includes all the familiar and favorite elements of the show such as the scoreboard, face-offs, strikes, stealing and fast money rounds. Authentic stages, theme music and game sounds create a true-to-show game experience, and thousands of questions keep gameplay fresh for hours of entertainment that friends and family of all ages can enjoy. Additionally, a new text input feature allows for even faster and more intuitive gameplay. The automatic spell checker will correct spelling, predictive text input makes typing answers lightning fast, and synonyms / concepts are grouped together to produce correct answers when a response is close enough to the survey answer.

Littlest Pet Shop Online (PC)

Littlest Pet Shop Online allows girls to interact with Littlest Pet Shop pets in immersive and meaningful ways such as playing games, embarking on adventures, customizing and decorating their virtual pet collection and home, and connecting with friends in a fun, dynamic online world.

“EA is at an exciting milestone, diving into the realm of virtual worlds for girls with the launch of Littlest Pet Shop Online,” said Chip Lange, General Manager of EA’s Hasbro Division. “Littlest Pet Shop ONLINE is an incredible game and community destination, as well as an environment that parents know they can trust. We’re delighted to offer Littlest Pet Shop fans a new and exciting way to connect online with friends through their favorite pets.”

With parental permission and a broadband Internet connection, girls can open the door to Littlest Pet Shop Online, a beautiful animated world that encourages creativity, exploration, fun and friendship.

Free play allows anyone to create a user account and enjoy many Littlest Pet Shop Online features while premium memberships, priced at $6.95 per month with discounts for three-, six- and 12-month packages, include special benefits such as extensive customization and creativity features, 100s of collectible items and the ability to create custom virtual pets. For girls who want to join the online fun while also expanding their growing offline Littlest Pet Shop collection, LPSO PETS are the ideal choice. Marketed by Hasbro, the pet features a sewn-in Littlest Pet Shop Online code to access the 30-day trial premium membership as well as special in-game rewards. Overall, players can access the game in three ways: through free online play; by obtaining a premium online membership; or by purchasing a cute LPSO PET at retail which includes a 30-day premium membership.

Littlest Pet Shop Online stretches the imagination and brings Littlest Pet Shop pets to life in the booming island of Waggington. Excitement and adventure unfold at every turn when girls explore the ever-changing online world as they customize their virtual pet collection, decorate their pets’ home, play games like Bop ‘n Balloons, discover hidden objects, engage in activities such as scrapbooking, and connect with friends both old and new. All of these fun, online quests earn girls Kibble Coins, the game’s virtual currency, along the way. Premium members also have the added benefit of “spending” their Kibble on exclusive items that further expand and customize their Littlest Pet Shop Online collection.

“EA has done a tremendous job of bringing Hasbro’s wildly popular Littlest Pet Shop brand to life in a multiplayer virtual world,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Gaming at Hasbro. “Littlest Pet Shop Online is a unique, immersive experience filled with age and activity-appropriate fun for girls across North America. We think the fan base will be thrilled to extend their Littlest Pet Shop collection into an online environment, especially with LPSO PETS which will unlock special rewards.”

With safety as a top priority in the development of Littlest Pet Shop ONLINE, key features also include parental consent–based access to the game, anonymity of child accounts, and “safe chat,” which allows only Littlest Pet Shop Online-approved words to be typed.

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