'Earthrise' Integrates SpeedTree

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 12:35 p.m. PDT | Filed under News

Masthead Studios has signed a licensing agreement with Interactive Data Visualization (IDV) to use to use its virtual foliage engine SpeedTree for the design of their post-apocalyptic MMO Earthrise to enhance development in environmental flora.

'Pure' (PS3/X360/PC) - Artwork & Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 11:05 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Pure takes quad racing to a new level, featuring massive jumps and spectacular airborne tricks in memorable, photo-realistic settings all over the globe. Featuring never-before-seen, vertigo-inducing massive aerial jumps in real-world quad locations, Pure delivers heart-pounding off-road racing unique to the genre.

'Grand Theft Auto IV' (ALL) Coming to PC After All?

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 11:00 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Rockstar's open-ended crime series has arrived on the next-gen consoles with Grand Theft Auto IV, returning the franchise to New York situated around the mysterious protagonist Nikolai. Now that the game is out, the speculation can begin whether or not there will be a PC version. Previous installments made it to the PC, but since Rockstar started using its new engine, none of their games were ported. However, Swiss online retailer Citydisc has a product section up for the PC version, scheduled for release Nov. 2008. Wishful thinking, or the first indication that Rockstar is working on it?

'Prince of Persia Prodigy' (ALL) - First Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 10:05 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Developed by Ubisoft Montreal, known for Assassin's Creed, Prince of Persia is opening a new chapter in the Prince of Persia universe, featuring a new breed of gameplay. The game is poised to rejuvenate the action-adventure genre in addition to introducing a brand-new illustrative art style.

Ubisoft Opens New Development Studio in Kiev

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 9:54 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Ubisoft announced that Kiev, Ukraine, has been chosen as the location of its latest internal development studio, representing Ubisoft’s 3rd studio in Eastern Europe, and the 5th new studio in the last few months.

'Wonder World Amusement Park' (Wii) - 39 New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 9:52 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Majesco's Wonder World Amusement Park, developed by Coyote Console, brings to life a fully 3D world of games, rides and prizes across multiple themed areas that players can explore with personalized avatars.

'Into the Pixel' Video Game Art Exhibition Opens for 2008 Submissions

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 9:47 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

The world's only exhibition that brings together experts from the fine art establishment and the interactive entertainment industry to explore the art of the video game, Into the Pixel today announced that it is accepting submissions for the 2008 collection

'Monster Madness: Grave Danger' (PS3) - 4 Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 9:13 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Monster Madness: Grave Danger follows in the footsteps of Monster Madness: Battle for Suburbia with 4 player co-op gameplay, an all new polished look and a number of new/improved features. Based on fan feedback from the original every Zombie, Werewolf and Vampire has been recalled to square one.

Capcom Games Downloadable On GamersGate

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 9:10 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Digital download portal GamersGate announced that Capcom will be making some of its upcoming games available for digital download, starting with its swashbuckling RTS game Plunder, action title Bionic Commando: Rearmed and a wide selection of other PC titles in the Capcom portfolio.

'Far Cry 2' (PS3/X360/PC) - New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 6:30 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Far Cry 2 immerses players in a new kind of gaming experience, featuring a new game engine built from the ground up. Players will discover a true open world gameplay set in one of the most beautiful environments in the world, Africa.

Pre-Order 'Mass Effect' (PC) And Get $10 Off, Or 'Dead Space' Bonus Swag

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 6:18 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Mass Effect invites players to take the role of Commander Shepard as they set out on an adventure to save the galaxy from imminent destruction. Not only does the PC version include the Bring Down the Sky downloadable content, if you pre-order at retail you get a $10 discount, while the EA online store gives you Dead Space bonus material, such as the first issue of the Dead Space comic book and a poster.

'Galactic Civilizations II: Twilight of the Arnor' - 44 New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 6:06 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

In addition to a new campaign that ties up the Dread Lords saga, GalCiv II: Twilight of the Arnor adds civilization-specific technology trees and planetary improvements that add even more flavor to each alien race, while greatly expanding the strategic depth of the game.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 5:30 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

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:

'Beijing 2008' (ALL) - 8 New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 5:23 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Beijing 2008: the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games will be an authentic simulation of over 35 events from the upcoming Olympic Games and will allow gamers to experience the thrill of competing in many of the official venues.

'BattleForge' Officially Announced

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 4:28 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Revealed a few months ago, Geman based EA Phenomic Studio is developing BattleForge, a new fantasy online RTS game where you assemble your own army with collectible trading cards. Win, trade and buy your cards online to create your ultimate deck.

'Soulcalibur IV' (PS3/X360) Talim, Rock and Yoshimitsu Return - 24 New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 4:05 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Swords will be honed and weapons optimized in Namco Bandai's Soulcalibur IV. Delivering new gameplay modes, characters and enhanced features with unprecedented 3D modeling and animation, Soulcalibur IV will be the definitive fighting game experience.

'Ecolis: Save the Forest' (NDS) Delayed in Europe

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 3:53 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Deforestation, pollution, global warming and industrialization are just some of the many important themes in Rising Star Games's new NDS exclusive real-time strategy Ecolis: Save the Forest (known in Norht America as Eco Creatures: Save the Forest).

'Guilty Gear 2 Overture' (X360) - 30 New Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 3:43 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Guilty Gear 2 Overture is the newest installment in the Guilty Gear franchise, deviating from the series beat'm up norm by not calling it GG X, as well as by adding RTS elements where you need resources to gather your army and destroy the enemy's base.

'Metal Gear Online' (PS3) Beta Adds New Map/Mode

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 3:24 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

MGS4: Guns of the Patriots is set in a war-torn future where huge conglomerates, including those in the Middle East and South America, fight for supremacy using armies of hand-picked mercenaries. Now that the MGO beta is underway, Konami has added a new map (Midtown Maelstrom) and the Sneaking Mission mode, which puts one player in the skin of Solid Snake himself vs. the Red and Blue team, collecting a set number of enemy dogtags.

'Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3' (PS2) Coming to Europe - Screens

by Rainier on April 29, 2008 @ 3:15 a.m. PDT | Filed under News

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3 boasts the largest ever selection of playable ninja characters, brand new playing modes for even more gameplay variety, and unprecedented freedom and immerson into the Naruto world with a 3D rendered Hidden Leaf Village.