The Story

The Demons had been defeated … the heroes were lost … Greed and resentment led to war. The seal was broken and the evil returned … only one hope remained: the prophecy. Be the chosen one, unite the people and banish evil once and for all!
Races and Classes

Join the Humans, Elves, Viridis or Pandas and face the challenge as a Warrior, Hunter, Druid, Mage or Fighter.
Pets and Mounts

Raise your own pets, train them to be mighty mounts and ride in style.
Epic Battles

Choose a faction and test your mettle amongst hundreds of players on massive battlefields.
A New World

Discover an enormous world, explore countless gloomy instances and face powerful boss monsters in tactical battles.

Via Eligium – The Chosen One: Register here!

Popularity: 1% [?]

It’s here! Legacy has released the new House MD casual game!

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 13, 2010) – Leading casual game developer and publisher Legacy Interactive® announced today the release of House M.D., the third game released this year in its Hollywood Hits™ series. Faithfully adapted from the television series by the same name, TV fans and casual gamers alike can now experience what it’s like to be part of the show. House M.D. will be available September 13th on Legacy Games for PC download at http://www.legacygames.com and at top retailers nationwide. House M.D. is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing on behalf of NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group. The series airs on Fox Mondays from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT) and also on USA Network.

“We are thrilled to be publishing a game based on such a popular and high quality brand like House M.D.,” said Ariella Lehrer, President and CEO of Legacy Interactive®. “We knew from the beginning it would be a challenge to live up to the show’s high standards, but our team did a great job and it shows in every part of the game experience, from the detailed character art to the hilarious script.”

“Legacy Interactive has become a leader in TV-based interactive games, and we are happy to extend our relationship with them through the House M.D. title,” said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. “With its quirky characters, witty writing and diverse array of challenging puzzles, the game is true to the House brand and puts a twist on both the medical sim and puzzle gaming genres.”

House M.D. takes a unique approach in blending light adventure game play with mini-games and lab tests. Play along with the surly Dr. House and his team at Princeton-Plainsboro Hospital as you race to unravel 5 all-new medical mysteries. Featuring all eight characters from the hit television show, solve more than 100 mind-bending puzzles and mini-games to uncover critical clues about your patient’s hidden life. In order to crack the case, you must track down evidence by examining patients, searching their home and workplace, interrogating their friends and family, running lab tests, and performing surgery. Every piece of evidence reveals part of the solution, so careful observation and analysis is key. The clock is ticking. Be prepared for unexpected twists and turns before you solve the case!

In tandem with the launch of the game, USA Network will offer a free 30-minute trial of the game on their “Character Arcade” (www.characterarcade.com). Character Arcade is USA Network’s casual/social gaming destination offering fans an experience beyond game-play. The site includes access to gamer portfolio tools, social networking, an affinity rewards program, industry news, chat-blog forums and new gaming options, including PC, downloadable and MMO titles.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
Harvest moon is a simulation game. In this game we’re going to learn farming, gardening, fishing, join the festival, and socializing. In this game, we can also get married. Harvest Moon was first attended in 1996. who’s made? Yasuhiro Wada was the one who made this game and in production by the victor of the interactive software (acquired by marvelous entertainment in 2003). These games already exist in various versions such as the Boy and GBA games, nintendo 64, playstation, playstation 2, GameCube and Nintendo DS, with new titles for psp, nintendo ds, and wii.

The following are figures who are in this exciting game :

1. ANN

Name: Ann
Role: Inn Keeper’s Daughter
Birthday: Summer 17
(Alt. Summer 23)
Rival: Cliff
Family: Doug (Father)

Ann is the daughter of doug, and work as maids, cooks, and assistant to his father at the inn. He is very friendly but tomboy. He also liked the food and the outdoors. He also hated doug for doug worried that their properties could disrupt chances for marriage. It is one of the best chefs in town.
Bonus points can be obtained by buying her food at the inn, besides water. He is a tough competitor in the cooking festival (often won) and played Ocarina in a music festival.

2. ELLI

Name: Elli
Role: Nurse
Birthday: Spring 16
Alt. Spring 20
Rival: Doctor
Family: Ellen (Grandmother)
Stu (Brother)

Elli is the nurse at the local clinic. His parents died several years ago, leaving Elli with responsibility for raising his younger brother (stu) is noisy and her grandmother was sick. Nevertheless, stu good boy and almost always cheerful, even he got a little disappointed if he had to pretend to cheer. Sometimes, his sister gave him a hard time, and he was angry because he did not always have time to spend time with her. However, stu is very important to him, like ellen (his grandmother).
Elli loves children, especially infants, because he was a baby sitter at the clinic. Since he spends most of his time working at the clinic, she had fallen in love with her boss, a doctor. However, unrequited feelings and go for a while.

3. KAREN

Name: Karen
Role: Shop Owner’s Daughter
Birthday: Fall 15 (Alt. Fall 23)
Rival: Rick
Family: Jeff (Father)
Sasha (Mother)
Celia (Cousin)

Karen is a daughter of Jeff and sasha. Together, this family operates the local supermarket. However, Karen went out of town enjoying more than helped run the family business. He can be a little arrogant at first, but always willing to lend ear to a friend, and very romantic, like a walk on the beach at night and wine. He also likes to cook, but it was horrible. Drinking contest with the duke’s famous in this city. Like her mother said: “Karen is a real girls, but she could not get her own life.”
Bonus points can be obtained by buying her something from the supermarket. Karen participated in the festival cooking (gourmet very afraid of this entry) and singer for the music festival.

4. MARY

Name: Mary
Role: Librarian
Birthday: Winter 20
(Alt. Winter 25)
Rival: Gray
Family: Basil (Father)
Anna (Mother)

mary is the only child of anna and basil. A shy girl, he runs the local library and admire the work of his father with botany and writing. He hopes to one day become a writer himself. He just had some friends in town, including gray, saibara, and charter.
Bonus points can be obtained by entering his second-floor library. He is a participant in the festival cooking and playing the organ during the music festival.

5. POPURI

Name: Popuri
Role: Farmer’s Daughter
Birthday: Summer 3
(Summer Alt. 10)
Rival: Kai
Family: Lillia (Mother)
Rick (Brother)

Popuri lives in Polutry Farm, he worked with his brother Rick after their father left town to seek treatment for their sick mother, Lillia. He is, cheerful girl. He admired the individual person is more like the Karen and Kai, the last one was the most he love / crush aka Kai. He’s one of the most friendly people of Mineral Town.
Bonus points can be obtained by having the heart eight chickens. He is the only one with the sweetness will come ask for candy during the Pumpkin Festival.

6. GRAY

Name: Gray
Role: Blacksmith Apprentice
Birthday: Winter 6
(Alt. Winter 23)
Rival: Mary
Family: Saibara (Grandfather)
Gray is a young man with a rather fierce blue eye contact that comes from the city to live in Mineral Town. He worked as a blacksmith’s apprentice under Saibara.

7. CLIFF

Name: Cliff
Role: Drifter
Birthday: Summer 6
(Summer Alt. 10)
Rival: Ann

Cliff was a vagabond living in the town. He was somewhat shy, but a good man. He included a devout Catholic, spent most of his time in church when he was not at the inn.
In the fall, he thought about leaving permanently. And he’ll go, if you do not stop it.

8. KAI

Name: Kai
Role: Lodge owner
Birthday: Summer 22
(Alt. Summer 17)
Rival: Popuri

Kai is a child who is wearing a purple bandana on his head and appeared only during the summer, although there is an event that may cause Kai did not return to Mineral Town. He is friendly to everyone but not to Rick. Kai had a family in this city. He will marry Popuri if he was still there during the summer and the main character does not marry her. After he came, Popuri will appear only during the summer along with Kai

Popularity: 5% [?]

RALEIGH, NC and NEW YORK, September 3, 2010 – Major League Gaming (MLG) has today announced the results and winners from its 50th milestone Pro Circuit event which took place this past weekend at the Raleigh Convention Center. The event was the third in MLG’s 2010 Pro Circuit tournament which united thousands of amateur and professional gamers and hosted several high octane gaming competitions.

“We marked our 50th pro circuit tournament in Raleigh with some stunning wins and talented player performances”, said Sundance DiGiovanni, co-founder and CEO of Major League Gaming. “We continue to see amazing talent at our pro circuit events and the tenacity and ambition which marks the spirit of MLG was palpable here in particular as tensions mount and we edge closer to the season finale.”

In a dramatic final showdown match in the Pro Circuit’s headline Halo 3 tournament, Final Boss beat out reigning champions, Team Instinct to claim the first prize of $20,000, their second win since their Meadowlands win in 2008. The Final Boss team consists of 21 year old Justin “FearItSelf” Kats from Lansing, IL; 17 year old Justin “iGotUrPistola” Deese from West Columbia, SC; 20 year old Cameron “Victory X” Thorlakson from Detroit, MI and 24 year old Tom “Ogre2” Ryan from Pickerington, OH.

The Raleigh competition also played host to a slew of additional video game tournaments from varied game genres with players vying for top cash prizes and league prestige. Competitions included Tekken 6, World of Warcraft, Super Smash Brothers Brawl and the first ever North American competition for Starcraft 2.

Mew2King, tournament champion for the last two Pro Circuit Super Smash Brothers Brawl 1V1 competitions, claimed his third win at Raleigh and another top prize of $2,500 and JustFrameJames claimed the $2,500 prize for his spectacular performance in the Tekken 6 1v1 competition. Raleigh also featured MLG’s first Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty play off with the final $2,500 win secured by Huk who beat out fellow Canadian Protoss player Kiwikaki in the final. Finally the $9,000 top prize for the World of Warcraft 3V3 Raleigh championship was claimed by NerdStomper Blue following a nail biter two-round finale with Team EG.

Victorious Secret, repeat champions from the Doritos MLG Combine series proved to be worthy contenders against the pro ranks at Raleigh with three team members placing in the top 20 bracket leaderboard including 17 year old Justin “Calm Mentality” Mozingo, from Farmville, NC, 19 year old Alejandro “Swift Kill,” Ramirez from San Juan, TX, and 19-year-old Zachary “Watch,” Cahill from London, Ontario.

The Raleigh event was the third event in a challenging five-city US Pro Circuit tour that pits the most talented professional gamers against each other culminating in a National Championship event this November. The next Pro Circuit event takes place in Washington, D.C. on October 15-17, 2010.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Ok, my E3 haze is beginning to lift, and it’s time for a wrap-up of  what we’ve been talking about on ThumbGods. We’re talking about the love survival kit app, watching the DragonQuest IV trailer, looking forward to Landit Bandit. Ranker sent us the sexiest videogame commercials. On the E3 front, we’ve gotten caught up in E3 excitement, checked out the new Civ 5, reviewed IndieCade games. (Are you following IndieCade? You should be!) We’ve let you know about the Fallout MMO beta, and adorable button-masher Princess Fury, and indie hit Stranded Without A Phone. And we still have hints for MyTribe on Facebook.

And what E3 coverage would be complete without booth babes?

Popularity: 2% [?]

Swedish indie devs, The Bearded Ladies, are announce the launch of their retro-inspired helicopter-adventure game Landit Bandit. The game promises co-op or duel mode, sexy girls and killer penguins.

The feel-good digital game of the summer has finally landed. Literally. Join eccentric characters Marley and Lander, as well as hot island babes and Tommy Gun-wielding penguins in Landit Bandit: a retro-looking, 3D casual-physics-based-helicopter game now available on the PlayStation®3 Network priced at a mouth-watering 12.99 Euros.

Landit Bandit has the depth of a cool-blue ocean and offers gameplay to suit a universal audience. Players can compete for the high-score on the global leaderboard – as well as battle head-to-head in 6 unique duels – or work co-operatively across a 20-level campaign against the backdrop of gorgeous 3D levels ranging from the picturesque desert islands to the cool, ice-filled tundra, each packed with enough humour to keep you laughing out loud from one level to the next.

David Skarin, CTO of The Bearded Ladies is elated at the release, “To have our game on the PlayStation®3 Network is great. Its a testimony to the hard work and raw talent of our small independent studio. We’ve defeated a string of self-imposed, gruelling milestones and overcome technical challenges akin to the cerebral workout being offered in the game that would leave any bearded lady weeping. The release brings joy to our hearts, although the real excitement is going to come in monitoring the reaction of the players”.

CEO/Producer, Haraldur Thormundsson added, “We have fulfilled our dreams with the release of Landit Bandit on the Sony PlayStation store. Its been one of the most rewarding expeditions I’ve been part of to date. To have shared the milestone with such a talented – not to mention eccentric group of creatives – is also very special. We’re all confident that players will enjoy the retro-goodness and LOL just as much as we did during the development”.

The North American gaming community can expect to get their hands on the controls of Landit Bandit from July 13^th.

Popularity: 4% [?]

So Konami is licensing the Unreal Engine from my neighbors, Epic Games… for a horror game based on the Saw films. Does this seem weird to anyone else? Ok… I guess I associate Konami with Lost in Blue and DDR, not bloody gory games.

CARY, N.C., June 24, 2010 – Epic Games, Inc. announced today that Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. has licensed its Unreal Engine 3 for “Saw II: The Game,” an upcoming third-person survivor horror sequel developed by Zombie Studios for Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Based on the fictional universe of the “Saw” movie series, “Saw II” takes place between the first two films and introduces a new twist on Jigsaw’s sinister traps and puzzles in the most intense look into the “Saw” universe ever. “Saw II” features a new combat system, clever ways to fight off enemies using the environment, and highly realistic graphics powered by the latest Unreal Engine 3 technology.

“Licensing Unreal Engine 3 was an easy decision for us,” said Careen Yapp, vice president of acquisitions and franchise development at Konami. “The engine’s new and improved features, time-saving tools and exceptional support system make it the best choice for the ‘Saw’ property.”

“I’ve used other game engines, I’ve written my own, I’ve used middleware and I’ve shipped sequels for franchises using other studios’ tech set, and I prefer Unreal Engine 3 over all of them,” said Mark Long, chief executive officer of Zombie Studios. “The quickest way to reduce risk is to use a known, proven toolset. With Unreal Engine 3, I can promise publishers what I can deliver, and I deliver on time. Every time.”

“Saw II” will be Zombie Studios’ ninth title and fourth franchise shipped with the Unreal Engine.

“It’s always rewarding to support repeat customers with our engine technology,” said Mark Rein, vice president of Epic Games. “Konami is a fantastic publisher, and Zombie has great success shipping Unreal-powered games, so we’re eager to see how the new ‘Saw’ game unfolds.”

“Saw II: The Game” is scheduled to be released globally in fall 2010 to coincide with the release of the film, “Saw VII.” To download “Saw II: The Game” screenshots, the logo or trailer, visit http://www.konami.com/GamersNight/.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The guys at Ranker have come up with a list of the sexiest videogame commercials. I didn’t have high hopes for this list — I rank pixelated boobs just slightly higher than girls posting pics of themselves playing WarCraft in their underwear. But it was a laugh, I quite liked the logic in #7′s explanation of the hot girl in Bayonetta:

This commercial (which kind of mirrors the American version, but has a real live girl in it) features another hot girl in glasses… just like the character in the game!

Appealing to the same part of all of our brains (glasses = smart = relatable = GIRLFRIEND!), this game not only tailored to its target audience, but swept it off its feet.

Wonderful logic, boys. Counteracts all the times I’ve been told how pretty I’d be if I got contacts.

And on the topic of pretty girls in gaming, I’ve got some E3 booth babes behaving badly over on my personal blog.

Via The 13 Sexiest Video Game Commercials Of All Time | Ranker – A World of Lists

Popularity: 3% [?]

I have to admit I installed this on my iTouch as soon as I got the press release. Because it has the potential to be cutely fun or be The Rules horrific, and either way, I have to check it out.

wikiHow, a collaboration to build and share the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual, just launched its newest iPhone and iPod Touch app, wikiHow’s Love Survival Kit. Available now for free download on the App Store, the Love Survival Kit follows wikiHow’s hugely successful Emergency Survival Kit, which has more than half a million downloads to date. Packed with articles for every love scenario, from casual dating to serious relationships, and everything in between, wikiHow’s Love Survival Kit will have you looking for love (tips) in all the right places.

The Love Survival Kit’s practical articles help people gracefully navigate tricky dating and social situations, or just kill time by learning fun and charming tricks. A modern approach to etiquette – complete with video tutorials – the Love Survival Kit covers a broad range of relationship categories and subjects, such as:

• Love and War including: How to Catch a Cheating Boyfriend, How to Date Multiple Men/Women at a Time, How to Play Hard To Get, and more
• Kissing including: How to Kiss, How to French Kiss, How to Deal with a Bad Kisser, How to Get Rid of Chapped Lips, and more
• Awkward Situations including: How to Deal with Someone’s Bad Breath, How to Escape the Friend Zone, How to Get Rid of a Stalker, and more
• Breaking Up including: How to Break Up Over the Phone, How to Break Up Over IM, How to Get Over a Break Up, and more
• Dating Skills including: How to Flirt, How to Play Footsie, How to Read Body Language, How to Have a Great Conversation, and more
• Charming Tricks including: How to Fold a Dollar Into a Heart, How to Open a Beer Bottle with a Dollar Bill, How to Open a Champagne Bottle with a Sword, and more
• Additional How-To Categories including: Best Foot Forward, Relationship Fixes, Relationship Skills and Tying the Knot

wikiHow Founder Jack Herrick commented: “I started wikiHow to help people by offering practical education. One of the most surprising things I’ve seen is how many people want to use wikiHow to secretly improve their love life. So the Love Survival Kit was created to fulfill this need, delivering the best of our romance and relationship advice in one free app.”

Which gets me thinking… I wonder if there’s a Worse-Case Scenario Handbook app yet.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Just released at E3. iGUGU‘s new Gamecore systems promises to bring3.5D gaming into homes with an affordable wireless controller:

LOS ANGELES – June 14, 2010 – iGUGU®, a global manufacturer of innovative entertainment technology products for consumers and business, will introduce the arrival of 3.5D gaming enabled by its innovative iGUGU Gamecore system at E3 Expo 2010 .

Featuring an innovative compact wireless controller that incorporates a trackball, direction pad, joystick, programmable action buttons, and a full QWERTY keyboard, iGUGU Gamecore enables users to play PC-based games on a large screen television without the need to use a computer keyboard and mouse.  The controller is equipped with six accelerometers, enabling users to intuitively play games using natural motions to do activities such as steer a race care or fly an aircraft.

iGUGU Gamecore, which enables gamers to access and play virtually any of the more than 27,000 game titles available for the PC and through the Internet on a television, greatly enhances the experience of playing PC games by allowing gamers to control their games through natural, intuitive body movements.

When using iGUGU Gamecore to play games on a 3D television, the gamers’ experience is taken beyond 3D as a new level of realism is added by intuitive game control providing gamers with the sense of actually driving a race car, flying a fighter jet or going on patrol in a war game.  iGUGU calls this extraordinary virtual experience, 3.5D.

According to Isaac Calderon, president of iGUGU, Gamecore will forever change the way that people experience computer gaming.  “With the extensive processing, memory and storage characteristics of even the most basic computer systems, the PC is truly the most powerful videogame console available on the market today, but until now computer gaming has been limited to relatively small desktop or laptop screens.  With iGUGU Gamecore, gamers can have the best of both worlds with the ability to enjoy their PC-based games on a large screen television in the home theater.  With our wireless controller, the experience is further enhanced because not only can gamers search for and access games stored on their computer or on the Internet, but they play these games using intuitive body motions to add a new level of realism.”

Popularity: 2% [?]

Speaking of Capcom announcements….

City of Industry, Calif.—June 7, 2010—InterWorks Unlimited Inc., the
fastest-growing distributor of innovative gaming peripherals, today
announced they have extended their official license deal with leading
worldwide developer and publisher of video games Capcom Entertainment,
Inc. to develop Resident Evil® Darkside Chronicles and Resident Evil®
Umbrella Chronicles and other Capcom® game-branded peripherals for use
with this generation’s gaming consoles.

“Resident Evil® is one of the most successful franchises in video game
history,” said Michael Kidakarn, Executive Creative Director of
InterWorks. “Our products must achieve the design and technical
sophistication that gamers expect from the Resident Evil universe. We know
fans will be proud of the final product along with future inventions we
have in the works for popular Capcom brands.

“InterWorks has come up with some innovative ideas that will enhance the
gameplay experience for Capcom gamers,” said Seon King, Senior Director or
Licensing at Capcom. “We are excited about the new products and looking
forward to hearing the response from gamers.”

The next products to launch will be the Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles
and Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles Magnum and Knife Kit, continuing
upon the success of the Resident Evil Darkside Chronicles and Resident
Evil Umbrella Chronicles Shot Blaster for the Nintendo Wii™. Both will be
featured at the InterWorks booth at the upcoming Entertainment Expo in Los
Angeles, June 15-17, 2010.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I mentioned the  Bounty Hunter class in the upcoming SW:TOR game a while ago. Now they’ve just announced some more about the Sith Warrior class, as well.

Champion of the Dark Side

An unstoppable force of darkness, the Sith Warrior is entrusted with the task of destroying the Empire’s enemies and enforcing Sith domination across the galaxy. The Warrior channels the destructive emotions of fear, anger, and hatred to purge weakness from body and mind and become a being of pure, brutal efficiency.

Destined to eradicate the incompetent chaos created by the Jedi, the Sith seek to rule the galaxy through power and intimidation. The armies of the Sith Empire are trained to accomplish this task, but they require the leadership of bold Sith Warriors—loyal and mighty overlords—who will drive them to conquest and victory.

Via Star Wars: The Old Republic game site.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’ve posted about Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box and about The Game Composer’s Blog before, and today’s post over at the Game Composer’s Blog was just awesome. Sayre’s latest post transcribes a podcast he did about Tiger Eye, with an alien, Bigfoot and Frankenstein’s monster.

ALIEN: Welcome back, humans. One of your kind is now with us. Behold Matt Sayre!

MATT: Thank you, Alien. I’m happy to be here.

BIGFOOT: (English accent) Welcome, Mr. Sayre.

FRANKENSTEIN: Urrrgh!!

MATT: Hi, Bigfoot and Frankenstein’s monster.

BIGFOOT: Oh, go ahead and call him “Frankenstein”. He’s grown accustomed to that particular appellation.

MATT: Great. I will, thanks.

FRANKENSTEIN: Gyee.

ALIEN: Begin this interrogation by giving us the history of your project and the human faction that has created it.

MATT: Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box is a new hidden object puzzle adventure game based on the paranormal romance novel Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu. The game basically covers the first half of the book. You play as Dela Reese, a young woman traveling in China. She finds a mysterious riddle box and once she opens it she discovers an ancient warrior, Hari, who has been trapped within for centuries. He is cursed to serve as a slave to whomever possesses the box. You try to rid him of the curse and deal with the Magi, the antagonist who is responsible for the curse and who wants his riddle box back.

Our team, PassionFruit Games, was formed specifically to make this game and, we hope, all its sequels. Tiger Eye is the first in the Dirk & Steele (the psychic detective group Dela belongs to) series of books and it’s an exciting series, perfect for video games. The members of PassionFruit Games previously worked at Her Interactive (I did contract work for them, the rest were full-time), where they worked on the Nancy Drew Dossier series. Unfortunately, the Dossier series did not pan out (even though Resorting to Danger won Yahoo’s 2009 Hidden Object Game of the Year award) so the team was laid off. The day after being laid off, however, we were already planning this new venture. And last month we shipped TE: CotRB!

I kind of want to quote the whole thing, actually. And also I want to subscribe to the Alien, Bigfoot and Frankenstein podcast.

Via Tiger Eye: Curse of the Riddle Box Postnatal « The Game Composer’s Blog

Popularity: 4% [?]

The guys at Ranker have come up with the top 10 Most Infuriating Death Screens In Video Game History. (Quick warning: Site describes, um, exactly what the opposing team is emoting to your sad corpse in most multiplayer games. In case you weren’t sure.) Do you agree? What do you think was the worst death ever?

Popularity: 2% [?]

I do a weekly trivia night with friends, and when we can’t come with the answer, we always use Sonic the Hedgehog.  Which actor won an Oscar for playing another Oscar-winning actor? Sonic the Hedgehog! Which US president had the largest shoe size? Sonic the Hedgehog! With the new Sonic 4 for Xbox and iToys, it might actually be the real answer.

SEGA® is incredibly happy at the overwhelmingly positive response to Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I from both press and fans around the world. SEGA wants to ensure that we’re delivering the best Sonic experience possible.

With this dedication to quality and the Sonic experience in mind, SEGA has decided to extend the development of the game and will now release Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I in the latter half of 2010. The additional time will allow the Development Team to focus on keeping the game high quality, continuing tuning and balancing of levels and interface and overall maintaining the kind of polish that an important game like this demands, ultimately providing fans with an unrivaled classic Sonic feel.

SEGA is also pleased to confirm that Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I will be coming to the iPhone and iPod touch via Apple’s iTunes App Store.

Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I is developed specifically for the download market and will be available via Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade, Sony PlayStation Network, Nintendo WiiWare and the iTunes App Store in late 2010.

Popularity: 2% [?]

I usually don’t like posts about why X is going to be the Greatest and Most Important Thing Ever (Cicero ruined me for overuse of the superlative) but this piece from Industry Gamers on the importance of this year’s E3 in terms of current trends is worth reading and sharing.

The traditional video game market, comprising of home consoles and handhelds, has been under considerable pressure for the last 16 months. This pressure is mostly attributed to declining sales among traditional games, and a rise from emerging markets such as mobile and social gaming. The decline in sales and the rise of other cheaper alternatives for interactive entertainment has raised serious concerns among investors and industry professionals about the long-term viability of the traditional console market. Additionally, the elongation of the current cycle and lack of visibility for the next set of hardware only reinforces the negative sentiment in the industry.

With so much negativity in the air, the entire industry will be on watch during this year’s E3 convention taking place in Los Angeles, CA.

Previous E3s have been focused on games that will drive our industry for the next 6 -12 months; however, this year the primary focus will be on new technologies that are supposed to drive industry sales back into the black over the next three years. Natal, Move, 3D gaming, and the 3DS are just some of the more important technologies that will be on display at E3 2010.

Via The Divnich Debrief: E3 2010: The Most Important Event in Gaming History? – IndustryGamers

Popularity: 3% [?]

Join the Big Bluff’s open beta!

Think you’re good at trivia? Are you confident in your own knowledge to bet on whether or not you will know the answer against other players? Step into the Open Beta of The Big Bluff, a new game developed by himojo, an entertainment company and social games developer for the Facebook platform, and experience the thrill of online multiplayer trivia that integrates the mechanics of Texas Hold ’Em Poker. Playable within Facebook and on TheBigBluff.com via Facebook Platform, the free-to-play online trivia game stands ready to pit your knowledge against others unlike any other trivia experience to date.

Upon logging in to your account, you will be given a purse of in-game currency to spend on virtual items for your avatar and at the tables. Step into a room and pull up a seat, where games of up to five players will already be in progress, 24/7.

Similar to Texas Hold ‘Em Poker, a dealer will display three cards in the community hand – the first displaying the question category, followed by two hints at the answer. Players will then have the option to match the pot to continue playing based on the cards shown. The fourth card displays another hint, while the fifth and final card displays the question that players must correctly answer. Fold at any point in the game if you’re not confident in the final question and answer, or bluff your way to the end and force your competitor’s hand. Call your opponent’s bluff and win bonus currency if they don’t know the answer.

“We’ve spent months experimenting with ways to combine the best aspects of trivia and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker into one game and are pleased to finally offer early access to the Open Beta of The Big Bluff,” said Eric Arlt, Chief Executive Officer, himojo. “The game offers an online trivia experience through Facebook unlike anything else out there. Poker and Trivia are two huge activities that are beloved around the world and we look forward to everyone experiencing this new hybrid of the two games in a competitive, free-to-play and social environment.”

The Big Bluff Features:
• Facebook Platform – Play the game by logging into your Facebook account on either Facebook.com or on TheBigBluff.com
• Real-time Online Multiplayer – Step into a room for five and watch opponents and friends play you live from across the table
• Chat System – Real-time chat during the game, allowing players to put on their poker face and play their bluff
• Customization – Access the dressing room and customize your avatar from head to toe with publicly available and exclusive items
• Virtual Currency – Earn in-game currency by winning a hand, daily check-ins and by purchasing with real-world money
• Global Leaderboard – Win rounds, build up your purse, unlock high-roller rooms and gain stardom by making it onto a central leaderboard

To start testing your trivia knowledge and betting big on your skill, visit the official The Big Bluff website at www.thebigbluff.com and log in using your Facebook information. Be sure to connect with us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thebigbluff and follow us on Twitter @thebigbluff for daily trivia and giveaways.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Hull, UK / TQ Digital have confirmed that their anticipated MMO, Heroes of Might and Magic Online, licensed by renowned publishers Ubisoft, will be entering it’s Asia area closed beta on May 7^th.

Fans of Heroes of Might & Magic, one of the most loved PC-franchises of the last 15 years, can finally take their adventure to the MMO space on May 7^th with Heroes of Might and Magic Online, developed under the careful study of established china-based online games developer, TQ Digital.

With millions of players already habiting their other titles, including such well known names as Eudemons Online and Conqueror Online, TQ Digital have had a wealth of expertise to call on while crafting a playing experience based around the wants and needs of the series’ loyal fans.

Licensed by Ubisoft – who boast a host of mega-franchises, including The Settlers and Assassins Creed – Heroes of Might and Magic (HoMM) Online will take players back to the classic gameplay elements of HoMM III, mixing it with the stunning updated graphics of HoMM V in a 2.5D turn-based massively multiplayer environment.

Though Ubisoft introduced a new universe to the series for HoMM V, their first title after acquiring the franchise from 3DO Company, TQ Digital are finally bringing the popular fantasy setting of Erathia back, which debuted in 1999 releases, HoMM III and Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor.

Gameplay in Heroes of Might and Magic Online is as varied as it is beautiful, with gorgeous graphics complementing your epic quest to prove your valiant leadership.

Chose from a variety of 8 unique factions, develop elaborate castles that dominate the skyline of bustling metropolis Harmondale – epicenter of trade in the sweeping Antagarichean continent – plunder resources in exhilarating missions and fortify your armies against the inevitable wars of domination that lie ahead as you carve out your own legacy like the legions of plucky adventurers before you.

Experience magic based on an innovative in-game star system. Cast a new spell to increase your proficiency or perfect spells through a dynamic online training center.

Randomly generated combat maps, designed with strategic gameplay in mind, ensure you will need to think studiously about unit formations and tactics, while the hundreds of unique campaigns, each with deep storylines and goals, including 10 chapters of battlefield missions, are guaranteed to keep play refreshing throughout.

Develop towns of different races with the unique Town Prestige System, form guilds, gather resources, and prove your worth in the bloody-thirsty Challenging Arena. TQ Digital will be hosting a slew of PK events with HoMM Online: Team PK and Extreme PK are only the tip of the iceberg, with these events providing opportunities to gain priceless honor points and increase faction reputation.

Summary of HoMM Online game features:
• First Persistent World Turn-Based Strategy MMO
• 8 towns, 16 classes and 56 creatures
• Hundreds of campaigns with epic storylines
• Unique Anima and Dragon Scale Forge System
• Glorious Guild Building & Exciting Guild Wars
• Challenging Arena and PK Tournaments
• Heroes can build towns of different factions

The Asia area closed beta for HoMM Online launches on May 7^th. For more information on the game and a chance to register for beta access, visit the game’s official website today: http://homm.91.com/

Popularity: 4% [?]

A press release for Evony landed in my mailbox today. My previous experience with Evony involves wondering why there are bra advertisements on gaming sites. I put on my magic BS-reducing journalist glasses to read it, and here’s what it said:

Evony, the free-to-play gaming sensation, today announced its official one year anniversary, inviting the 19 million people who  clicked the boobie ads looking for softcore to join in the celebration. First launched in May 2009 with Evony: Age I, Evony has enjoyed a warm reception from its growing fan base, especially those who haven’t got girlfriends or live in areas without Victoria’s Secret catalogs. The game’s unexplainable success is expected to continue with the April launch of Evony: Age II, the expansion that boasts a suite of new features and enhancements, and even more intrusive boobie advertising on all your favorite gaming sites.

In May of 2009, what started with only two servers and a clever vision to create a browser game designed to be played secretly while pretending to work, has evolved into a MMO phenomenon that’s anything but subtle.

“This is an amazing moment for the Evony team, all made possible by a community of game sites and games bloggers running Google Adsense, and a community of potential game players who are easily distracted by boobs,” said the Vice President of Operations at Regan Mercantile, LLC. “Our goal with the Evony franchise is to make sure we don’t accidentally attract any female players or mature adults by mistake.”

The recently launched Evony: Age II features new quests involving historical heroes and cities, a redesigned graphical interface and innovative panty photos for the upcoming advertising campaign.

Unedited press release here.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Sign up before May17th to get into the Land of Chaos beta! From the press release:

burda:ic, a leading publisher of online games worldwide, today announced the start of registration for the Closed Beta Test of strategic action MMO LOCO – Land of Chaos Online. Interested players have until Monday, May 17 to sign up for their chance to participate in the CBT, and full registration details can be found at: www.loco.alaplaya.net/closedbeta

The Closed Beta Test will feature 12 heroes from LOCO’s 30-character roster, including Octavian, Atin, Foxlady, RandyRozz, and more. Three maps will be available for use in both the Annihilation and Battle Modes: the “Forest of Chaos,” the “Crimson Plains,” and the “Lair of the Ancient Dragons.” The CBT will also feature a first look at LOCO’s Guild and Enchantment systems, so sign up today if you want to be one of the first players to explore the Land of Chaos!

To leaf through the Book of Heroes and learn more about the warriors from LOCO’s two factions, the Army of Hell and the Forces of Nature, visit http://loco.alaplaya.net/chronicles

For more information about Land of Chaos Online and the upcoming Closed Beta Test, head to http://www.loco.alaplaya.net

Popularity: 2% [?]

Just the other day, I was talking about the Martha Stewart game and how even if the game is Cooking Mama knockoff with crafts like color-coordinated pushpins and pumpkin centerpieces, it’s showing that game players don’t all fall into the obnoxious teenage boy stereotype. Remember that?

Well, I spoke too soon, according to this lovely piece of news from Gamer Limit:

Just when you thought gamers couldn’t get any more zany, along comes GameJizz “Delivering Loads of Fresh Gaming News”. The developer is hoping GameJizz will be able to compete with the likes of N4G as the next big gaming news aggregator.

(Picture stolen from Gamer Limit. Because, eww.)

Via Gamer Limit – Front Line » Blog Archive » GameJizz, a new aggregator to compete with N4G

Popularity: 2% [?]

Just saw the announcement from Majesco (the people behind Cooking Mama, Gardening Mama, and Crafting Mama) that they’ll be working on a new Martha Stewart game. I really like the Martha Stewart cookbooks (what’s not to like about easy recipes and gorgeous food photography?), but I thought the related TV show and magazine were pretty disappointing. I don’t have high hopes for the game, I expect it to be more of the underwhelming-spinoff variety, but I’m ready to be proved wrong!

And even if it’s not the greatest game ever, the fact that there’s a Martha Stewart game at all says something good about breaking the stereotype that all games are slobs living in their mom’s basement.

From the press release:

NEW YORK, NY and EDISON, NJ, April 20, 2010 -Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) and Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced a strategic partnership to develop and produce interactive electronic games based on MSLO’s expansive portfolio of award-winning lifestyle content. Under the terms of the partnership, Majesco receives the exclusive worldwide rights to publish these games.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Martha Stewart brand to bring sensibility to the video game market,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco Entertainment. “Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia offers a vast wealth of content and has a passionate following. Branching into the interactive entertainment space is a natural next step, and Majesco Entertainment is proud to be the exclusive partner.”

“Majesco Entertainment is well respected for bringing consumer-friendly titles to the mass market and has a proven track record of tapping the interests of family and non-traditional video game players,” said Martha Stewart, Founder, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. “Women are increasingly engaged in social gaming. We feel confident that this new offering will delight loyal customers who are active in the space while introducing a new generation to the brand.”

Via Majesco Entertainment – For all your gaming needs

Popularity: 4% [?]

Max and the Magic Marker, from Legacy Interactive, is available now:

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 16, 2010) – Casual games developer and publisher Legacy Interactive announced today the release of Max and the Magic Marker, an award-winning physics platformer that challenges players to draw their way through 15 innovative and challenging levels. It is now available for PC/Mac on Legacy Games at www.legacygames.com.

Max and the Magic Marker, developed by Play Press, gives players complete control as they draw out solutions and face innumerable traps, monsters and tricky puzzles. Limited only by the imagination of the player, every obstacle has an endless number of solutions. Since its inception, it has been widely acclaimed, with its development team winning the Independent Games Festival 2010 D2D Vision Award, EIGA 2009 Innovative Game Design Award, Best Overall 2009 Unity Award, and DGA 2010 Talent of the Year.

“Fun gameplay, innovative ideas and loads of options make you replay levels over and over again.” – GamingXP

“Max & the Magic Marker is a charming puzzle platformer with pleasant visuals and a simple soundtrack. Part of the fun is noticing the details, like how the little monsters can pull out bright yellow construction hats to protect them from your pen.” – Gamespot

“The physics and drawing are spot on and it has a great art style. One of the most enjoyable games with a little boy with a giant orange mohawk as the protagonist that I have ever played!” – 411 Mania

Featuring three lovingly designed game worlds based on children’s drawings, adults and children of all ages will be immediately drawn into the 2D world of Max and the Magic Marker!

Max and the Magic Marker is available for PC/Mac on Legacy Games at www.legacygames.com and in leading retail stores, and will be appearing on popular digital distribution portals.

Popularity: 7% [?]

The new All Heroes Die is available at a pre-release discount. Buy the game in beta for $5, and get all the updates afterward for nothing.

Forced by need and honor, the last surviving family of a seafaring people journey half-way around the world in order to end their civil war. Upon landfall, they make a solemn vow to their ancestors – they will turn their backs on the sea until this quest is complete. The spirits of their ancestors hear them… and will be watching.

All Heroes Die is a hybrid strategy/role-playing game where players control a family of heroes over several generations. Players will determine the kind of people their heroes become, how their society develops, and what legacies they will leave the next generation – all while exploring a strange new continent.

Via All Heroes Die | Macguffin Games

Popularity: 2% [?]

I’m not sure if GameCrush is trying to be a gamer dating site (like SoulGeek or World of DateCraft) or a way for awkward gamer guys to pay girls to play games with them, and I’m not going to find out because the site’s down due to an overabundance of sign-ups. No word on whether those would-be beta GameCrushers are lonely guys or broke girls.

Here’s the press release:

SAN FRANCISCO – March 23, 2010 GameCrush, now available in public beta, introduces an entirely new interactive social gaming experience allowing gamers to meet, match and pay to play online games with other users (PlayDates). GameCrush is the only online service that allows gamers to choose a companion to spice up their favorite online games. Both Players and PlayDates define the experience they want- either “flirty” or “dirty”, choosing from some of the most popular console titles and casual web-based games. To register for free, visit www.gamecrush.com.

On GameCrush, players can find their perfect PlayDate through browsing their profiles and chatting live with them. Players can then purchase a live one-on-one private gaming session, complete with two-way video and text chat.

Designed to appeal to female and male gamers alike, GameCrush offers games to suit a variety of tastes, from casual web-based games to the hottest console titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Halo 3, Gears of War 2 and Grand Theft Auto IV. Initially games are available on GameCrush’s own exclusive video-enabled gaming platform and on Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE network. In addition, GameCrush will soon be available for platforms such as Sony’s PlayStation 3, World of Warcraft, and other online gaming environments.

GameCrush delivers comprehensive social tools that allow PlayDates to post profiles complete with picture galleries, video clips, blogs and text chat.  PlayDates can make up to $30 or more per hour while having fun playing online games.  After a game session is completed, Players rate their gaming experience, and top-rated PlayDates are rewarded with enhanced site promotion and additional benefits.

Popularity: 4% [?]