The Beatles: Rock Band (Wii/PS3/X360)

From the early touring days in 1963 Liverpool to the immortal, final performance on the Apple Corps rooftop, fans can follow in The Fab Four’s footsteps as they traverse the globe during the height of Beatlemania, unlocking real photos and videos of The Beatles – some never before seen by the public. Beatles fans will also be thrilled to hear previously unreleased authentic voice recordings from John, Paul, George and Ringo chatting between takes during studio sessions recorded at Abbey Road more than four decades ago.

The Beatles: Rock Band allows fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles’ extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band’s legendary career. Additionally, for the first time in a music videogame, The Beatles: Rock Bandintroduces three-part vocal harmonies to gameplay, allowing gamers to revel in the unparalleled vocal stylings of The Beatles. 

The Beatles: Rock Band features 45 songs on-disc representing a cross-section of hits and favorites that span The Beatles’ storied career.  Additional music from The Beatles’ epic catalogue will be made available for purchase and download through The Beatles: Rock Band Music Store. Abbey Road will be released on October 20, 2009, followed by the release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in November and Rubber Soul in December.

As previously announced, “All You Need Is Love” will be released tomorrow, September 9, 2009, exclusively through Xbox LIVE for a limited time as a downloadable track for The Beatles: Rock Band. All Apple Corps Ltd, MTV Games, Harmonix and Microsoft proceeds will benefit Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a new set of hardware representing the instruments made famous by John, Paul, George and Ringo. Featured in the set are the Rickenbacker 325 and Gretsch Duo Jet guitars—hailed as two of the celebrated, signature instruments played by John Lennon and George Harrison throughout their careers. Also available is a Höfner bass controller—a large-scale representation of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney. Rounding out the set is a Ringo Starr inspired Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drum set with a classic pearl finish and vintage model Beatles kick drum head.

Pricing for The Beatles: Rock Band is as follows:

• Limited Edition Premium Bundle for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $249.99, continental Europe MSRP €199.00, UK MSRP £179.00
•  Includes: The Beatles: Rock Band software, Höfner Bass controller: Large scale representation of the Bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney, Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded Rock Band 2 drums with classic pearl finish and vintage model Beatles kick drum head, Microphone, Microphone Stand, additional special content
• Rickenbacker 325 Standalone Guitar for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $99.99, continental Europe MSRP €99.99, UK MSRP £89.99  
• Gretsch Duo Jet Standalone Guitar for Xbox 360/PS3/Wii: US MSRP $99.99, continental Europe MSRP €99.99, UK MSRP £89.99 
• The Beatles: Rock Band Software for Xbox 360/PS3: US MSRP $59.99, continental Europe MSRP €69.99, UK MSRP £49.99
• The Beatles: Rock Band Software for Wii: US MSRP $59.99, continental Europe MSRP €49.99, UK MSRP £39.99  

The game will also be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers, as well as most Guitar Hero and other authorized third party music video game peripherals and microphones.

The Beatles: Rock Band is rated “T” for Teen with the descriptors “Mild Lyrics” and “Tobacco Reference” by the ESRB.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (NDS/PSP/PS3/X360)

"The verdict is in: Gamers and media agree that IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey delivers an authentic, engaging WWII flight combat experience," said Adam Kline, president of 505 Games U.S. "Gamers that tested their wings on the IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey demo can now jump in the cockpit to lead the Allies to victory over six theatres of war in this year's most authentic flight combat game."

Based around large-scale aerial combat over the ground-based military operations of World War II, players participate in the most famous confrontations of the era piloting fighters, battle planes or heavy bombers across a range of missions in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey. There are six theatres of war in which to engage - The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun - representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe.

Taking environmental and landscape visuals to new heights by incorporating satellite technology, IL-2 also boasts a tangible damage effects engine. Players will see real-time damage to aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights. IL-2 will support up to 16 players in multiplayer aerial combat set across four scenarios - Dogfight, Team Battle, Strike and Capture the Airfield.
 
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey is published by 505 Games in collaboration with 1C Company for Xbox 360, PS3, DS and PSP. The game will release for NDS and the PSP in North America on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

DiRT 2 (NDS/PSP/PS2/Wii/PS3/X360/PC)

Rally racing’s finest, including Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra, Ken Block and Tanner Faust, help players climb the ladder from rookies to off-road racing superstars.  Further immersing players into the life of an off-road star, DiRT 2’s garage is home to a premiere collection of officially licensed rally cars and off-road vehicles including the Mitsubishi EVO X, the Subaru Impreza STI, the Colin McRae R4 and many others.

DiRT 2 takes players on a World Tour where gamers compete in more than 100 breathtaking events, including aggressive, multi-vehicle races and intense solo challenges set in an array of real-world environments. From the muddy tracks of the Malaysian rainforest to spectator-packed stadiums in London and Los Angeles, racers compete in a variety of contemporary off-road racing styles that include Rallycross, Trailblazer, Raid, Landrush and Rally. Fuelled by the third generation of Codemasters’ world-renowned EGO Engine technology, DiRT 2 captures the unique exhilaration of off-road driving.

To celebrate the launch, Codemasters has produced a new video balancing the rally cross gameplay and replay action from the Los Angeles X Games inspired Estadio Del Ray stadium. The video can be viewed on the DiRT 2 web site. As the sequel to the acclaimed racer of 2007, DiRT 2 delivers an unforgettable driving experience with benchmark tech, thrilling new race types, big event atmosphere, stunning locations, a new breed of off-roading heroes and a peerless line-up of super-charged speed machines. Full online functionality with head-to-head competitive online play and social features enables players to become part of an extreme sports community.

“With the help of pro athletes like Ken Block, rally racing has evolved and graduated to the mainstream,” said Gavin Raeburn, senior executive producer, Codemasters Studios. “We feel we’ve been able to authentically capture both the intense racing and counter-culture of the sport with DiRT 2.”

DiRT 2 for Xbox 360 and PS3 is rated T for Teen and is available for $59.99. The Wii, and PSP versions are rated E 10+, The DS is rated E for everyone; the Wii version is available for $39.99 and the NDS and PSP versions are available for $29.99.

Cabela's Outdoor Adventures (PS2/Wii/PS3/X360/PC)

Cabela's Outdoor Adventures lets sportsmen tackle the great outdoors in a simulation-style, seamlessly integrated sporting experience which includes big game hunting, freshwater fishing and bird hunting.

Cabela's Outdoor Adventures boasts an unprecedented level of variety featuring North America's top outdoor destinations with over 50 hunting and fishing adventures. The game also features incredible detail, including complex animal behaviors, lifelike animations, realistic environments and intensive use of hunting and fishing techniques. Players will experience moments instinctively associated with hunting and fishing including the thrill of stalking a big game trophy animal, squeezing the trigger, hooking a fish and snap-shooting a flushed bird.

The all new VITALS (Visually Integrated Targeting and Lock-on System) feature allows players of Cabela's Outdoor Adventures to lock onto their target and precisely aim for the perfect kill-shot. Using licensed firearms and fishing gear from the top names in the industry, sportsmen can tackle 39 species, including record breaking big game, small game, fish and fowl. Realistic hunting tactics allow the player to master calls and stealth, while the animals react in real-time. The full-featured fishing simulator includes selecting equipment and driving the boat as well as casting and hooking. Last but definitely not least, players can use the new Trophy Creator to design his or her own buck and then hunt it for a shot at a leading magazine cover!

"Cabela's Outdoor Adventures maintains its authenticity while presenting these outdoor sports in an intuitive manner that's friendly to a wide range of sportsmen and gamers alike," said David Oxford, Activision Publishing. "We're proud to deliver such a varied and deep gameplay experience."

Cabela's Outdoor Adventures is available for Wii/X360/PS3 ($39.99), and PS2 ($29.99), while the PC version will be available for $19.99.

Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days (PSP)

The PSP version adds all new story chapters with a new main character, Axel, adding even more replay value to the already feature-packed title. With new characters, skills, items, and battle system, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days is ready to please even the most hardcore SRPG enthusiasts.

In the peaceful world of Veldime, humans rarely encountered monsters. That was until Overlord Zenon cursed the land and all who reside within. With the curse in place, the humans became monsters and ravaged the world. It is up to Adell, the last remaining human, to oppose Overlord Zenon’s tyranny and restore peace and harmony to Veldime.

In Disgaea 2, players will take on the role of a young fighter named Adell and travel the Netherworld to defeat the evil overlord Zenon. Battles will take place on a 3D grid-based field. During combat, players will take turns with the enemy to move and attack.

Key Features

• All new story chapters, starring Axel
• New Battle Features from Disgaea 3: Magichangeand Toss and Pass.
• All new characters, items, and skills

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss (PC)

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss revolves around the introduction of the playable Gargoyle race. Players will also find expansive new areas to explore, including Ter Mur, the Gargoyle homeland, and the Stygian Abyss – the largest dungeon area ever introduced to Ultima Online. This sprawling dungeon contains new boss monsters of unparalleled difficulty, including the Medusa, Primeval Lich and the Stygian Dragon, as well as Player vs. Player zones where adventurers are turned against one another.

 “We could not be more proud to release Stygian Abyss as the 8th expansion of the storied Ultima Online franchise,” said Jeff Hickman, Executive Producer for Mythic Entertainment. “As the 12 year anniversary of Ultima Online approaches, we are thrilled to offer a brand new Ultima adventure, including the new Gargoyle race and the massive Stygian Abyss dungeon, to both new and existing players.”

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss will be available via UOGamesCodes.com and the EA STORE:

• Stygian Abyss Expansion: $29.99 (EXISTING & FORMER ACCOUNTS ONLY)
• Stygian Abyss Expansion & 30-Day game-time: $39.99 (NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY)

Additionally, consumers who purchase Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss from September 8th – 29th will receive a multi-use Alteration Token to transform current characters into Gargoyles, an exclusive gargoyle craftable pet, and decorative Stygian Abyss mob boss statues (offer expires September 29th, 2009).

Last month Mythic announced that Ultima Online™: Mondain’s Legacy, the 7th expansion of UO which introduced the playable Elven race and several expansive dungeons, is now available at no charge to existing subscribers, and to new players as part of the Ultima Online 14-day free trial.

Ultima Online: Stygian Abyss expansion requires the original Ultima Online game to play and will be available via digital distribution only. To download Ultima Online at no charge or to find out more information about Ultima Online and the additions from Mondain’s Legacy and Stygian Abyss, please visit: http://www.uo.com or http://www.uoherald.com/stygianabyss.