From the press release:

Three great games will become available this Wednesday 2nd May from 09:00 GMT on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for Xbox 360™: “Catan” and the two-for-one Atari combo of “Centipede” and “Millipede.”

Legendary board game “Catan” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade

Brush up on your plans for expansion and hone your trading strategies because “Catan” is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. “Catan” from Big Huge Games is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the legendary multiplayer board game Settlers of Catan. With over 10 million units sold, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular board games to hail from Europe, and has been translated into twenty-five languages from the original German.

“Catan” for Xbox LIVE Arcade puts players in the role of colonists on a newly discovered island, where they vie for control of valuable territory and resources through strategy and trading. The game can be learned in just minutes, but will challenge players of all skill levels, even the experts!

Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: “I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement.

“Catan” Game Features:

· Learn As You Play tutorial, making the game instantly accessible even to players who have never played “Settlers of Catan” before

· All New 3D “Living World” Board

· Play against any combination of 13 historical personalities such as Alexander, Cleopatra and Tokugawa, which provide a range of play styles and difficulty levels that will test players’ wits and strategy

· Fans of the board game will enjoy the inclusion of popular house rules like Friendly Robber and Friendly Resources

· Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE for up to 4 players

· The ability to taunt opponents with engaging animations and use emotes to compliment (or belittle!) the opposition over Xbox LIVE

· Voice Chat enabled

· Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

Arthropods Attack! “Centipede” and “Millipede” Invade Xbox LIVE Arcade

Two of Atari’s best loved coin-op classics, “Centipede” and “Millipede,” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday 2nd May 2 at 09:00 GMT / 10:00 CET.

The classic version of “Centipede” challenges gamers to defend their villages against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will also have access to an “Evolved” version which features pre-rendered, high definition graphics, special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions that make this classic as enjoyable today as it was in the arcade decades ago.

In “Millipede,” the primary challenge is to obliterate chains of arthropods that creep down from the top of the screen. Scattered mushrooms are the gamers’ main tool to shoot, destroy and redirect the menacing millipedes. “Millipede” also offers Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers an “Evolved” version of this coin-op classic.

“Centipede” and “Millipede” Game Features:

· Two games in one! Enjoy both classic and evolved versions of both “Centipede” and “Millipede”

· Dolby Digital surround sound

· Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points

From the press release:

Stourbridge, England – April 30, 2007 - Data Design Interactive a successful video games publisher and games developer is pleased to announce that not only have they have secured developer status, but they have also achieved publisher status for Nintendo Wii. Data Design Interactive are currently in the process of porting 12 of their leading titles onto the console, the first six titles are due for released in second quarter 2007. Data Design Interactive will follow with another 6 titles later in the year.

Stewart Green MD of Data Design Interactive, said:

We have been developers for the last 24 years and this year is a most exciting period for the company. Having gained developer status a few weeks ago this meant the company could focus on the development for this exciting console. Now that we also have publisher status this transition from development to publishing places the company in an incredible position within the market.

The first 6 to gain shelf place will be:

Billy the Wizard
It’s no fairytale when there’s an evil force around. Use your magical spells to attack evil dragons that have taken over the skies above ‘The Wizards Castle’. Or take part in the sorcerer’s ultimate challenge as you race alongside other wizards in the enchanting Broomstick Grand Prix.

Myth Makers Super Kart GP
Fantastic friendly fun and mad cartoon racing, rolled into lots of exciting challenges against characters, with unique abilities. Challenge your friends to leagues, cups or time trails or face a solo challenge to try to defeat the evil Mumbra.

Anubis II
The evil spirit has risen again and taken physical form. A ‘Pharaohs Curse’ has been placed over the fastest, strongest and most poisonous of Egypt’s inhabitants. The Gods have called on the only warrior that could rid the sands of these evil monsters and return peace to Egypt… The mighty Anubis.

Ninjabread Man
Candy Land is under attack! This once sweet and tasty land has been taken over by hordes of snapping Cup Cakes, Angry Bees and Jelly Monsters. Only one man can stop this evil army of monster cakes. He’s one tough cookie; a guy that won’t crumble under the pressure…… ’Ninjabread Man’ is here!

Monster Trux Extreme
This is the super-charged turbo-driven world of Monster Trux Extreme - you and your friends will be racing huge V8 powered Monster Trucks around rugged terrain, including islands and volcanoes. Race well and earn prize money, which you can use to unlock extra Trucks, levels and bonus features.

Elviz: Rock N Roll Adventures
Bash and Trash crazed instruments with Elviz’s legendary guitar, or strum those strings for a bolt of Sonic Power to blast away Deadly Drums, Run, Push, Swipe and Jump your way through the massive levels with moving objects, intelligent enemies and hidden rooms! Its time to ROCK N ROLL!

From the press release:

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 30th, 2007 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Washington Wizards All-Star Gilbert Arenas will be the cover athlete and spokesman of EA SPORTS™ NBA LIVE 08. This season Arenas displayed tremendous determination to emerge as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players, rising to No. 3 in league scoring and leading the Wizards into the playoffs for the second straight season. NBA LIVE 08 is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver, BC, and will ship to stores worldwide this fall.

“This is a dream come true,” said Arenas. “I’m a huge gamer and have been playing NBA LIVE since 1995. I never imagined that I would see my face on the cover of an EA SPORTS videogame.”

Arenas finished the 2006-07 regular season averaging 28.4 points and 6.0 assists per game. Arenas was the first player from the 2001 draft class to be named to the All-Star team in 2005 and now has three consecutive All-Star appearances. In the ultimate salute to his climb from relative unknown to NBA All-Star, fans voted Arenas a starter on the Eastern Team at the 2007 NBA All-Star Game.

Fueled by a combination of talent and a larger-than-life personality, Arenas has risen from below the radar into the spotlight. His breakout 2007 season included authoring a blog on NBA.com that established a direct relationship with his fans, and a well-known catch phrase (Hibachi!). Dubbed “Agent Zero” in reference to his jersey number, Arenas chose zero as a reminder of his underdog mentality that drives him to succeed. Off the court, Arenas is devoted to many charitable organizations including Scores for Schools, the NBA Cares program, and created the Zer0 2 Hero Foundation to promote the well-being of children.

This weeks Virtual Console games are upon us and many gamers should be happy about the selection. Many of us have fond memories of these games and the only real issue is which one to download first. The games will be available for download at 9am PST. We look forward to next weeks announcement. Until then, enjoy!

From Nintendo’s press release:

Castlevania® (NES®, 1 player, 500 Wii Points): Step into the shadows of the deadliest dwelling on Earth. You’ve arrived at Castlevania, and you’re here on business: to destroy the curse of the Evil Count, once and for all. Make your way through six monstrous floors filled with bats, ghosts, zombies and every kind of ghoulish creature you can imagine. Use the legendary whip Vampire Killer and a host of deadly weapons to battle your way to Dracula’s chamber and the ultimate duel of good vs. evil.

The Legend of the Mystical Ninja™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In The Legend of The Mystical Ninja, take control of Kid Ying and Dr. Yang in an action adventure through feudal Japan. A curse has stricken the village of Horo-Horo, and its beloved princess has vanished. Together Kid Ying, a daring young mystical ninja, and Dr. Yang, master of the invincible spirit transformation, must overcome 10 levels of the Dragonbeast to save Princess Yuki. Each stage contains intense 3-D and 2-D zones where the duo must perform dozens of attack moves and solve magical problems and puzzles before advancing. Battle humorous enemies like the Carp Meister, who stuns victims with poisonous fighting fish, Tanaka-U-Out, a knockout artist who wallops opponents with a bone-crushing hammer, and the Sumo Tag Team, kings of the unbeatable belly-buster crunch. Collect coins to buy new equipment and to receive clues, spend some time playing minigames in the arcade or try your luck and increase your fortune at the Quiz House and Horse Races.

Shockman (TurboGrafx16, 1-2 players, 600 Wii Points): It’s been two years since Arnold and Sonya were made into Shockmen. A message from the professor to return to their bodies has them head to his laboratory, but they are ambushed by a mysterious enemy along the way. After narrowly defeating the enemy, they catch a TV news flash announcing the Ryo Empire invasion. They find that the professor has been abducted and set out to rescue him. Shockman is a side-view action shooter that has eight stages, including Action Stages, where you jump and use special techniques, and side-scrolling Shooting Stages. This game expands on the well-paced story from the previous version and contains cooperative elements like shared life and a powerful Team Shockbeam that can be used during two-player simultaneous play.

From the press release:

Tempe, AZ - Diesel Games, Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with GenAudio, Inc. to develop a first person video game showcasing the breakthrough 4D sound technology known as AstoundSound™.

According to Kevin Wooten, President of Diesel Games, “AstoundSound™ is considered by many audio pros to be the best multidimensional sound system available today. Diesel Games is excited to be the driving force behind bringing this technology to the gaming world.”

Jerry Mahabub, CEO and President of GenAudio states, “Diesel Games has been working with GenAudio in an advisory roll over the last year to help develop the Real-Time Interface for AstoundSound™. Diesel has been instrumental in our understanding of the video game industry and they continue to impress us with their technical insight. We look forward to working together in this new capacity.”

The game project, Deprived, will be the first interactive game to incorporate AstoundSound™. Providing accurate positional audio with elevation cues, AstoundSound will increase the player’s immersion beyond anything that is provided today.

From the press release:

New York, USA (April 26, 2007) – Global publisher Paradox Interactive announced today that it has signed a new turn-based strategy Sci-Fi adventure through Akella. Galactic assault, previously known under the working name Inhabited Island is developed by Wargaming.net and scheduled to release worldwide during Q3, 2007.

Players will be thrust into a deep and harrowing story as four unique races battle for supremacy on the planet Saraksh. Each race possesses and can easily develop distinguishable technologies, leading to the presence of vastly different heavy armored units, transport units and aviation units on the battlefield. The battles take place among vivid extraterrestrial landscapes in 3D with day and night changes as well as dynamic weather conditions that affect the gameplay.

“Akella has become a major player in the development and publishing of quality PC games and we are thrilled to enter this long-term partnership with one of Russias most acclaimed companies” said Fredrik Wester, Executive Vice President.”

“We have followed the development of this title closely as we are great fans of Massive Assault developed by Wargaming.net. We are convinced that the unique dynamics and gameplay in Galactic Assault will appeal to even the most jaded strategy gamers, Mr. Wester continued.”

In addition to the interesting story line, Galactic Assault offers a revolutionary tactical combat system, more than 70 unique units of great power and high-definition visuals that will immerse players in a horrendous story of war and survival.

Game features include:

* Immersive storyline based on the Sci-Fi novel “Inhabited Island”.
* 4 totally unique races: Land of the Fathers, Khonties, Barbarians and Island Empire.
* Realistic battle system (camouflage, fog of war, return fire, mine laying, fortifications, land and air troop carriers).
* Advanced technology tree and unit upgrade system.
* Realistic full 3D environment with day/night change and weather effects.
* Cinematic Camera mode showing the most dramatic moments.

From the press release:

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (April 26, 2007) – SEGA® Europe, Ltd and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus, will be available for download on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and in stores for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PCs in Autumn 2007. Phantasy Star™ Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus is the expansion to the epic sci-fi action role-playing game Phantasy Star Universe.

Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus continues the exciting action-RPG storyline of Phantasy Star Universe. A new Human Fundamentalist movement, known as the Illuminus, disrupts the peaceful Gurhal System throwing the Gurhal Government into chaos. Using their custom-made Guardian, players will explore exciting new levels, such as the Ruins of Old Rozenom City and the subterranean Granigs Mines, where they will encounter new and more powerful enemy types, as well as mastering additional versatile class types. Using their custom-made Guardian, players will meet familiar characters like Ethan Waber from Episode 1, and other new characters including GUARDIAN instructor Laia Martinez, whilst they fight through the next chapters of the exciting story missions that started its singleplay experience in the original Phantasy Star Universe.

The expansion further enriches the online Phantasy Star Universe experience with newly created gameplay and customisation features. Players can commune in new and expanded lobby areas filled with colourful decorations and music, including the new Casino Voloyal where roulette and slots can earn players special casino-only items. Character and weapon customisation is even deeper with the introduction of a slew of new weapon types, armour, Photon Arts, and clothing. Each Guardian’s individual Rooms are upgraded and now offer a greater level of customisation, with a new grid system that allows players to decorate the walls and place new interactive items and furniture anywhere they want in the Room.

Since its introduction in 1988, Phantasy Star has revolutionised the RPG genre by creating new standards through innovative gameplay as well as being the first console RPG to offer an online experience in Phantasy Star Online. Phantasy Star Universe: Ambition of the Illuminus will be available on the Xbox 360 for download via Xbox Live®, and in stores on the PS2 system and PC. With a GUARDIANS License, gamers can experience the new customisable and highly interactive features online. Players can purchase a GUARDIANS License for Xbox 360, PlayStation 2 system and PC online for €9.99 (£6.99) a month.

Phantasy Star Universe is currently searching for GUARDIANs to participate in a new community event in the game. Operation Firebreak begins on May 25, and calls for the entire Phantasy Star Universe community to work cooperatively to defeat a new SEED-based threat.

From the press release:

CAMBRIDGE, MA / PORTLAND, OR - April 23, 2007 - GuildCafe, the social networking site for gamers, by gamers, today announced its partnership with the Uberguilds Gaming Network. Uberguilds is an online host for leading guilds and fansites across the MMO community. GuildCafe will be the social networking engine for the Uberguilds network, which boasts well-known guilds including Silky Venom, Fires of Heaven, and Death and Taxes, and receives more than 20 million page views every month within its member sites.

“The Uberguilds Gaming Network is home to some of the most dedicated MMO fans around, and as a newer online community, GuildCafe is proud to be selected as Uberguilds’ partner in an effort to serve those fans even better,” said Jon Radoff, CEO of GuildCafe Entertainment Inc. “We hope to offer all guilds tools to empower their members to meet the social, administrative and communication demands of running organizations that span hundreds of people, many of whom have never met and are located around the globe.”

Using input from some of the largest guilds in the world, the companies will create content and software that enriches the online gaming experience for all players. Already, gamers may use GuildCafe to locate the highest-rated gaming content from the network as well as from the Internet, such as strategy guides and videos of raid bosses vanquished by member guilds. As the community evolves, members can expect to interact with veteran online gamers and guilds and use their knowledge and experience to enhance their own successful gaming groups.

For more information, please visit www.guildcafe.com.

From the press release:

New York, NY – April 24, 2007 – 2K Sports, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today features for The BIGS™, the larger-than-life Major League Baseball® licensed title coming out this summer. The BIGS delivers a unique pick-up-and-play baseball video game experience driven by quick reflex timing and smart power-up strategies, with highlight reel moments on every play.

“With The BIGS, we want to take the baseball genre to new heights and redefine what a baseball video game can be,” said Greg Thomas, President of Visual Concepts, a 2K Sports studio. “The BIGS has the fast learning curve of an arcade game coupled with deep play mechanics, amazing visuals, and hero-like presentation of real MLB® players that will keep gamers coming back for more. The BIGS will showcase dramatic highlight reel moments at every at-bat, creating a truly epic baseball title.”

Fans will redefine the baseball highlight reel by performing dramatic wall grabs, spectacular diving plays, and epic homeruns. Unique and intuitive gameplay controls deliver a new baseball experience, while advanced power-up mechanics add exciting depth with each turn. Turbo gameplay raises the action bar to new heights, and culminates in the ultimate batter pitcher power-up duel, where either the pitcher’s Big Heat will be the turning point, or the batter’s Power Blast will be the explosive end to the game. In The BIGS, every play is a big play.

In The BIGS, each MLB player has been individualized to emphasize their extraordinary athletic attributes. The development team paid great attention to detail to portray a player’s face and physical characteristics so baseball fans will easily recognize their favorite players. To deliver the authentic MLB atmosphere, stadium landmarks have been stylized to highlight the unique architecture of each MLB ballpark. Whether it’s the glove at San Francisco’s AT&T Park resized to mammoth proportions or the left field wall in Boston’s Fenway Park made into a real “Green Monster,” gamers will be in awe at the grandeur of each stadium in The BIGS.

The BIGS will be available this summer for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and Nintendo’s Wii™.

From the press release:

Representatives from Midway Games and Rapid Reality Studios will serve as judges for The Art Institute Online’s (AiO) Scholarship Contest. Two scholarships, each in the amount of ten thousand dollars, will be awarded: one will be presented to a student currently enrolled at The Art Institute Online, a division of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and one will be awarded to a prospective student. The competition, which begins April 18, 2007, is designed to encourage individuals to become excited about reaching their full creative potential through art.

Midway Games will be represented by Richard Rouse III, the Director of Game Design.

Rapid Reality Studios will be represented by Tracy Spaight, COO and DJ Cassell, Creative Director.

Other judges include Paige Rien, Mark Stutzman and Laura Stutzman. Rien is a host and designer for HGTV; Mark and Lauren serve as Illustrators and Designers for Eloqui.

“We are excited to have a distinguished panel of judges who will select the scholarship recipients,” says George Pry, President of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. “The Live Your Creative Passion Scholarship Competition is a great opportunity for potential students to discover more about the online programs offered at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.”

AiO offers a program in Game Art & Design that prepares students to learn the art and design skills needed to launch a career in the game industry. Graduates are prepared to seek employment in positions including but not limited to: modeler, storyboard artist, animation artist, 3-D illustrator, digital artist, FX artist, video post-production artist, broadcast graphics designer, and game designer.

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