From the press release:

Today Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest video game publishers, announced the release of the long awaited single player demo for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter® 2 (GRAW 2), the follow up to the massively popular squad-based action franchise, and next gen smash hit of 2006. The new playable demo gives gamers just a taste of the explosive action, new features and amazing new graphics in GRAW 2’s single player campaign, well in advance of the game’s full release. The single player demo is available now for free download on the Xbox Live® Marketplace. Along with this exciting demo, Ubisoft is also pleased to release the full “Gimme Danger” trailer with the famous Iggy Pop and the Stooges song, now revisited by Frank Black and 3volution Productions, exclusively for GRAW 2. This trailer will rock you with the power of the song while showing the amazing variety of new environments and rich gameplay.

Single-Player Demo content:

In the GRAW 2 single-player demo, which is set during the second mission of the game, Scott Mitchell must lead the Ghost team in Mexico to clean a rebel camp on the outskirts of the city of Juarez with the goal of destroying a number of objectives to open a breach for the allied loyalist Mexican army.

The player starts as a lone wolf, and then progresses through different levels, acquiring a number of new tools, weapons and abilities, such as commanding the Ghost squad and both the UAV Cypher and M.U.L.E support drones. All of these tools fall under direct player control, thanks to the new Cross Com 2.0, which allows precise control of these latest marvels of military technology.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter® 2 is scheduled for release on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Games 4 Windows® in March 2007, with the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system version scheduled to release in June 2007.

From the press release:

Wednesday 31st January 2007 – With spring training around the corner Sports Interactive, the sports management development specialists, have announced that Out of the Park Baseball 2007 will be available, exclusively via digital download in time for the new season.

In OOTP Baseball 2007 players get the chance to do almost anything a real life general manager can do to guide their team to glory. Players can also create their very own fictional baseball universe, create and import fantasy teams and players or simply compete with other human players in an online league.

“No baseball simulation on the planet offers you this much flexibility and this much fun,” said Marc Duffy, Product Manager at Sports Interactive. “OOTP Baseball 2007 is ideal for historical, fictional, and online fans alike”.

Available for PC and Mac, franchise managers are able to set their line-ups, replace aging veterans with a rookie from the minor leagues, send their scouts to comb the upcoming amateur draft pool, or get a closer look at that free agent pitcher from Japan.

“We’ve spent a long time listening to our fans,” commented Markus Heinsohn, Lead developer of OOTP Baseball 2007. “The last version was a giant step forward for the good of the game and this year sees the addition of some of their most requested features.”

Out of the Park Baseball 2007 will be released on March 23rd 2007 priced at $34.99 / €29.99. Pre orders, blogs and further information can be found at www.ootpbaseball.net.

Key Features and improvements

Improved interface and usability

OOTP Baseball 2007 features some great user interface improvements that make the game easier and more enjoyable, including: a league creation wizard, a simplified navigation model with intuitive icons, a detailed in-game help system, improved in-game screens, and manager and online league commissioner “portals” that centralize the most commonly-used tasks.

The ultimate control over your baseball universe

OOTP Baseball 2007’s flexibility in configuring a baseball universe is unparalleled. Players have complete control over the structure, rules, and finances of their world, including the new abilities to add or delete leagues at any time, to have leagues “feed” players into other leagues and many other new league options. No simulation game has ever been this flexible.

Huge advances in the historical league experience

Historical leagues now feature an automatic expansion mode, including protection lists and expansion drafts. OOTP Baseball 2007 can also now import the history of a league prior to the selected year, giving players complete historical data and record books! Other new historical features include automatic adjustment of league financials, league strategies and rules (i.e. playoff format, schedule length). Sports Interactive re-introduce the concept of ghost players and the new option to block fictional players from reaching the major leagues. Combined with vastly improved statistical accuracy in historical leagues, the end result is the best possible way to replay the history of baseball starting in 1901, but yet with OOTP Baseball 2007 characteristic flexibility. A historical fan’s dream.

Fictional

Fictional leagues come to life like never before, thanks to the help of a wider variety of league news & stories, a player morale and popularity system and the ability to create fictional player portraits using the FaceGen technology.

Online

The online league mode of OOTP Baseball 2007 has never been more user-friendly and functional than in this year’s edition. The new commissioner portal will greatly reduce the administrative burden of running a league. Online GMs benefit from new features as well, such as an automatic waiver pullback option and an adjustable draft pool date that will give online leagues much more flexibility in processing amateur drafts. Commissioners can also now add and edit league news items and write game recaps, which will display both in-game and on league HTML reports. Commissioners can also send messages to all users and manually select all-star team members and award winners, including a new custom award of player’s choice! These features are available in solo play as well!

League expansion wizard

The new league expansion wizard helps you expand your league much more smoothly by scheduling an expansion draft and handling the submission of protection lists.

Trading

The trading model in OOTP Baseball 2007 has been vastly improved. GMs can now mark players as “untouchable” or “on the block,” with a corresponding effect on that player’s morale! The “shop player” feature allows you to quickly identify desirable trading partners and new trade-related reports put all of the information you need right at your fingertips. A “make this work now” button asks player’s trading partners to tell them exactly what is needed to make a deal under negotiation to happen immediately!

In-game experience

The experience for those players who enjoy playing out each game has improved greatly in OOTP Baseball 2007, including: strategic one-pitch mode, more natural play-by-play text, a “short PbP” option that displays just the outcome of the play and many other improvements to the in-game screens. Additionally, players can now write their own recap of the game that will appear in a game news article and will be saved along with the history of their game!

Improved AI and player development

The AI does a better job of managing its team than ever before and extensive statistical analysis and testing results in the most realistic player development system in any baseball simulation game.

Returning “fan favorite” features

Based on popular demand, a number of “fan favorite” features from previous versions of OOTP will return in OOTP Baseball 2007, including: an optional star-based rating system, adjustable AI player evaluation based on statistics/ratings, weather, ghost players, bullpen warm-up, and team focus.

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From the press release:

LYON FRANCE – 31 January 2007 – Atari today announced the development of Godzilla®: Unleashed, the ultimate giant fighting monsters game. Godzilla: Unleashed will tear its way onto Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system in autumn 2007.

Godzilla: Unleashed is a fighting game on a giant scale. The game stars the legendary Godzilla and a slew of the most renowned monsters of all-time. Gamers are challenged to ultimately save the planet from mayhem and destruction. Set in urban arenas, Godzilla: Unleashed’s interactive 3D cityscapes, big destructible buildings, soaring skyscrapers and towering alien formations provide the backdrop to epic worldwide destruction.

“The iconic Japanese giant goes from strength to strength, taking the franchise in new directions not least with the unprecedented dynamic control afforded by the unique Wii controller,” said Cyril Voiron, Marketing Director, Atari Europe. “With multiple story paths, players can choose exactly how they want to release the beast within and wreak their own brand of spectacular urban devastation.”

Players will claw, kick, stomp, throw and blast their way through the streets of major world cities in order to claim the ultimate, beastly title: King of the Monsters. In addition to a fully reinvented combat system, Godzilla: Unleashed will feature an innovative non-linear storyline which will allow players to influence how the story unfolds through their choices within battles.

From Midway’s press release:

Description
Experience exhilarating 3rd person next-gen action as you continue the story of John Woo’s influential action film, Hard Boiled starring Chow Yun-Fat. Run into danger with both fists full of lead and take down the organized crime bosses who stepped over the line when they took your family. Stop at nothing as you destroy the entire world around you to get them back. You are a desperate man following your own rules; honor thy family; do what’s right; fear no man.

Features

Signature Cinematic Action
Stranglehold allows gamers to play a John Woo-directed action blockbuster movie. Dual-wielding, stunt-laden gunplay combined with massive destructible environments ensures that Stranglehold will be a true tour-de-force. The environmental interactivity and two-fisted gunplay all come online, bringing the experience to a whole new level.

Amazing Gunplay & Stunts
Gamers will experience smooth flowing gameplay, such as running up railings, swinging on chandeliers and leaping onto moving objects, all without interrupting intense gun battles.

Blockbuster Hollywood Talent
Featuring the cinematic flare of acclaimed action director John Woo, Stranglehold will also benefit from Woo’s direction on storyline, camera placement and cutscenes. Starring international action-star Chow Yun-Fat as Inspector Tequila, the game’s cast is also comprised of other A-list Hollywood talent.

Ground-Breaking Technology

• Environments as Weapons
Using the Massive D™ physics engine, bring the world down on your enemies, carve your own realistic path of destruction through environments and maneuver through unique piles of debris which persist in the environment.

• Intense Gun Battles
Engage the enemy in Tequila Time™ by targeting and firing in real-time while the world dramatically slows and enjoy the exhilaration of running up railings, swinging from chandeliers, and leaping onto moving objects - all without complex controls.

• Unreal 3.0 & Havoc
Using a highly modified version of the Unreal 3.0 engine integrated with the Havok physics system, Stranglehold will breathe new life into game environments and characters with stunning graphics. Incredible physics make it possible for everything in the world to be destructible and interactive, allowing for an ever changing battle ground depending on how players approach different situations.







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Taken from the press release:

Vampire hunters, artillery-toting worms, rambunctious aliens and trailblazing settlers are among the “likeable” characters that will soon make their debut in living rooms everywhere via Xbox Live® Arcade for Xbox 360™ as part of the award-winning service’s upcoming round of new game releases. Starting with the first release in February, 10 highly anticipated titles will begin making their way to Xbox Live Arcade, including these (titles are not listed in chronological release order):

* “3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures,” from developer Wanako Games and publisher Sierra Online, allows gamers to putt their way through 36 fun-filled holes of manic minigolf action on wild courses that range from the Old West to outer space and feature a bevy of crazy hazards and obstacles.

* “Alien Hominid HD” from The Behemoth features side-scrolling, hysterical cartoon action with a quirky twist and exclusive Xbox Live Arcade features.




Alien Hominid


* “Band of Bugs” from NinjaBee is a fast-paced tactical strategy game that offers gameplay deep enough to satisfy tactical genre fans and friendly enough to appeal to casual gamers. Creative gamers can even design their own levels with the built-in level editor, then play them solo or over Xbox Live with friends.

* “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” from Konami is a faithful version of this legendary classic updated for Xbox Live Arcade and featuring the game’s full soundtrack and memorable side-scrolling vampire-hunting action.




Castlevania: Symphony of the Night


* “Catan,” from developer Big Huge Games Inc. and publisher Microsoft® Game Studios, is a faithful remake of the immensely popular strategy board game.

* “Eets: Chowdown” from Klei Entertainment Inc. is a completely revamped version of the popular PC title of the same name. It offers new items, 120 new levels and the exclusive debut of Marsho Madness, a high-adrenaline action game in which players must keep the impending evil marshmallows at bay.

* “LUXOR 2,” from developer MumboJumbo LLC, sets a new standard for action puzzlers as players match and shoot their way through the land of ancient Egypt.

* “Paperboy,” from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, is a classic coin-op hit, specially enhanced for Xbox Live Arcade.

* “Root Beer Tapper,” also from developer Digital Eclipse and publisher Midway, features fast-paced reflex action as players scramble to keep thirsty patrons happy without dropping root beer mugs in the scramble to earn the biggest tips.

* “Worms” from developer Team 17 Software Ltd. features armies of adorable weapon-toting worms locked in tactical combat.




Worms


The popularity of Xbox Live Arcade continues to grow as downloads have surpassed 20 million games. These 10 titles are just a sample of the diverse and entertaining games that will be coming to the service in 2007.

Several of these games also mark significant firsts for Xbox Live Arcade, including the first turn-based strategy game to be released on the service (“Worms”), the first Xbox Live Arcade board game release (“Catan”), and the first Xbox Live Arcade outdoor sports game release (“3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures”).

All these games are scheduled to become available during Xbox Live Arcade Wednesdays in the coming weeks, and specific game information will be announced closer to each game’s launch date. Although a game may not be launched every week, every Wednesday is an opportunity to share in the Xbox Live Arcade experience with friends and family.

Some new screens of the upcoming PC game Infernal from Eidos.

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Taken from the press release:

Codemasters today launches the dedicated Heatseeker website, complete with two all-new explosive video previews that are stocked full of fiery ammunition for any budding fighter pilot.

Seeing is believing, so set your targets to www.codemasters.com/heatseeker and discover what this supercharged, blackout-inducing flight game has to offer as it prepares for take off in March 2007 for the Wii™, PSP® (Playstation®Portable) and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

The Overview and Impact-Cam™ videos are the first and second in a series of videos voiced by Andrew Wensley, Heatseeker’s Senior Producer at Codemasters:

“There are some things which need to be visualised,” says Andrew, “I can describe the intense heat when you see your enemy’s SU-47 Berkut fighter jet ripped to pieces by your LRAAM missile in bullet-time slow motion but, you know, it just doesn’t do it justice. These videos are like having a member of the development team with you 24/7, ready to walk you through with real-time, in-game action”.

Codemasters also today confirms additional details of the PSP® system edition. With missions designed specifically for short-burst play, the PSP® version of Heatseeker is perfect for gaming on the go. Missions have been split down so that dead batteries or arrival at the destination doesn’t mean players lose large amounts of progress. Like a nuclear warhead, once launched, the next mission checkpoint is always 10 mins away.

Need a buddy to help you beat the seemingly insurmountable number of A.I. fighter jets in your field of view? Today’s friends are tomorrow’s enemies in Heatseeker’s wireless multiplayer mode for up to four players. Take your pick of the most advanced military flying machines and test your reactions when the F-22 Raptor on your tail (or the face in the cockpit of the doomed jet in front) is somebody you know.

Launching March 2007 for the Wii™, PSP® (Playstation®Portable) and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, it’s time to get the first parts of your mission briefed in. Check out our new Overview and Impact-Cam™ video previews and loads more now on www.codemasters.com/heatseeker.

Taken from the press release:

LONDON – JANUARY 29, 2007 – Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment industry publisher and developer, today announced that Hour of Victory™, a new cinematic, first person shooter experience set in World War II, is currently in development exclusively for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and is expected to be available this summer.

Built using the powerful Unreal® Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory combines authentic details from historic World War II battles and adds in frenetic and cinematic gameplay. Gamers are able to play each level in the style they choose, whether as a covert operative, specializing in stealth and sabotage; a British commando proficient in the guns-blazing frontal assault; or an Army ranger who excels in sniping and demolitions. Players will also be able to take control of any vehicle on the battlefield as they sharpen their skills to impact the key battles from the European and North African Theaters.

“Hour of Victory is an entirely new World War II experience designed exclusively for the Xbox 360 that will place players in a pivotal role during key battles using the gameplay style they choose,” said Matt Booty, senior vice president, worldwide studios, Midway. “Using the powerful Unreal Engine 3.0 we’re able to create exciting, cinematic moments that allow players to feel like a hero, not just another cog in the war machine.”

About Hour of Victory
Hour of Victory, scheduled to be available exclusively for Xbox 360 in Summer 2007, allows you to play a key role in the pivotal and cinematic battles from the European and North African theaters of World War II, using the skills and gameplay style you choose. Built with Unreal Engine 3.0, Hour of Victory allows you to sneak into enemy territory as a covert operative, storm the gates as a British commando, or snipe from afar as an Army ranger – each character’s unique attributes will be needed for the fulfillment of the overall objective. Only with all these skill working closely together will you be able to say that you helped define the Hour of Victory.

From the press release:

Seattle, Washington - Jan 26, 2007 Penny Arcade, creators of the popular gaming comic strip of the same name today revealed plans for a bigger and badder (in the best possible way) celebration of videogames and game culture at the 4th annual Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) scheduled to take place August 24-26th at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in downtown Seattle, Washington. Pre-registration for what has become the premier event for hardcore game fans is now officially open at www.pennyarcadeexpo.com.

The new PAX location more than doubles the floor space to over 200,000 square feet of soon-to-be- released game products, tournaments, concerts, contests and lots more. Previously held in nearby Bellevue, PAX had outgrown it’s earlier space due to rapidly increased interest from both fans and exhibitors.
“We conservatively expect 30,000 hardcore gamers in Seattle this summer, making us the fastest- growing and largest gamer festival in North America” said Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. “Exhibitors and attendees keep spreading the word about PAX; it’s amazing, but attendance doubles each year.”

In addition to being a beautiful setting, the new Seattle location is a major metropolitan city with world class dining, entertainment and accommodations as well as easy access to a major airport hub. Dozens of game companies call the area home, including Microsoft, Nintendo, Privateer Press, ArenaNet, Wizards of the Coast, and Flying Lab Software. PAX is unique in that it gives equal love to all games, whether they’re played on a television, computer monitor, or tabletop. Highlights include a huge new exhibit floor, incredible nerdcore concerts and the amazing Omegathon three-day tournament. Pre-registered attendees gain early entrance to PAX and are eligible to compete for major gaming prizes in the Omegathon.

It’s Monday and time again for the weekly Virtual Console releases. Four games make it to the Virtual Console shop this week and after only one games last week, the selection is quite tasty this time around. Now to decide what to actually purchase.

Taken from the official Nintendo press release:

• Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Put the pedal to the metal in this worthy successor to the Super NES classic, Super Mario Kart. Mario Kart 64 boasts great graphics, tons of unique power-ups and a stunning 3-D version of the legendary Battle Mode. With improved courses and a revolutionary head-to-head four-player mode, Mario Kart 64 is sure to win the heart of any race-driving fan. The game includes 20 different courses filled with dips, valleys, jumps, tunnels and bridges. Smooth, precise control a trademark of all games from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto will bring players back time and time again for freewheeling fun.
• Contra III: The Alien Wars (Super NES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In the year 2636, the Alien War continues, and it’s up to two soldiers, Jimbo and Scully, to put a stop to the alien invasion. The aliens have ravaged the Earth with their powerful organic and technological weapons. Players can join with a partner and battle through six stages of nonstop run-and-gun action. Collect power-ups, including bombs, flamethrowers, spread shots, lasers and machine guns to take out the aliens. Control Jimbo and Scully as they travel through war-torn cities, race on air bikes, ride missiles and ultimately break into the alien base to defeat the alien boss once and for all.
• Bonanza Bros. (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Mobo and Robo Bonanza are enjoying their favorite television show when the picture crackles and the shadowy figure of a mysterious stranger appears on the screen. This figure asks them to collect certain items that he has placed inside various buildings to test his security force. If they return the items successfully, Mobo and Robo will be rewarded. The two of them state that they will get the job done in just three minutes. However, little do they know that each building is packed with security guards who will raise the alarm if they are caught red-handed. Fortunately both Mobo and Robo are equipped with bullets that can knock the guards unconscious for a few seconds. A huge reward will be given out if Mobo and Robo are apprehended. Help the infamous Bonanza Bros. infiltrate a number of different locations ranging from banks to mansions to casinos, and don’t get caught.
• Comix Zone (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day while Sketch is drawing, a huge thunderstorm strikes the city. A bolt of lightning hits Sketch’s image and brings it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniacal mutant who wants to become real and rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator’s life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes he is a superhero that came to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus’s hand. Now that he’s a comic book superhero, Sketch can really put the hurt on the bad guys. Instantly, Sketch can fight like a one-man mercenary platoon.

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