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A new trailer has surfaced for the upcoming LucasArts title, The Force Unleashed.  Enjoy!

Game on!

After sifting through over 80 submissions from a wealth of genres and gameplay hybrids from ‘exploratory puzzle’ to tactical to rhythm/action, The PAX 10 panel of industry experts selected the ten best submissions in terms of gameplay and “fun factor” for inclusion in The PAX 10. Penny Arcade was pleased to announce today The PAX 10 winners to be displayed at the upcoming Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle Aug. 29-31, 2008.

The PAX 10 are (in alphabetical order):

- The Amazing Brain Train by Grubby Games
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678696/goto:http://grubbygames.com)
(puzzle/strategy)

- Audio Surf
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678695/goto:http://www.audio-surf.com) by
Dylan Fitterer (rhythm/action)

- Chronotron by Scarybug Games
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678694/goto:http://www.scarybuggames.com)
(puzzle/platformer)

- Impulse
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678693/goto:http://www.impulse-game.com%20)
by a team of Rochester Institute of Technology students (puzzle)

- The Maw
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678692/goto:http://www.WhatIsTheMaw.com)
by Twisted Pixel Games
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678691/goto:http://www.TwistedPixelGames.com)
(action/adventure)

- Polarity
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678690/goto:http://www.polarityonline.com)
by a team of Carnegie Mellon University students (platformer/puzzle)

- Project Aftermath by Games Faction
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678689/goto:http://www.gamesfaction.com%20)
(tactical/action)

- Schizoid by Torpex Games
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678688/goto:http://www.torpexgames.com)
(action/strategy)

- Strange Attractors 2 by Ominous Development
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678687/goto:http://www.ominousdev.com)
(puzzle/strategy)

- Sushi Bar Samurai
(http://e2ma.net/go/1192364912/1082934/39678686/goto:http://www.mollyrocket.com/sushi.html)
by Molly Rocket (exploratory puzzle)

Announced earlier this year in cooperation with the DigiPen Institute of Technology, The PAX 10 is a games showcase open to independent developers worldwide. The winners will be shown in the PAX Exhibit Hall alongside over 70 other exhibitors – including top publishers like Activision, EA and Ubisoft – allowing those publishers, attendees and media to view their home-grown potential.  Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on the exhibited games, honoring one of The PAX 10 with the “Audience Choice Award,” to be announced on www.penny-arcade.com following this year’s expo.

“The variety and caliber of the titles blew us away,” says Robert Khoo of Penny Arcade. “Narrowing down the group was a challenging process for the judges, but we’re incredibly proud to have these ten games as our kickoff showcase and can’t wait to see them on the show floor.”

Game on!

EA is running a kick ass sweepstakes for Dead Space. Basically, you can win 100 of the DVDs the Dead Space team used in their research on Sci-Fi and Horror. There are some great movies here!

The link to the sweeps is http://deadspace.ea.com/sweepstakes. There is a funny
picture of EA’s intern, Dan, there on the page as well as the full list of the movies
(which is also below). Good luck!

1. 12 Monkeys
2. 28 Days Later
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey
4. The Abyss (Special Edition)
5. Acacia
6. Alien
7. Alien vs Predator
8. Aliens (Collectors Edition)
9. Altered States
10. The Amityville Horror (1979)
11. The Andromeda Strain (1971)
12. The Audition (Special Edition)
13. Bad Taste
14. Basket Case (Special Edition)
15. Battlestar Galactica Mini Series
16. Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds
17. Blade Runner (4 Disk Collector’s Edition)
18. The Brood
19. Cemetery Man
20. The Changeling
21. The City of Lost Children
22. A Clockwork Orange (Special Edition)
23. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Ultimate Editition)
24. Creepshow
25. Cube
26. Dawn of the Dead (Ultimate Edition)
27. Dead Alive
28. Deep Rising
29. Le Dernier Combat (The Last Battle)
30. The Descent
31. David Lynch’s Dune (Extended Edition)
32. Event Horizon
33. Evil Dead (Ultimate Edition)
34. eXistenZ
35. The Exorcist (The Version You’ve Never Seen)
36. The Eye
37. The Fog (1980)
38. Freaks
39. Friday the 13th
40. Gozu
41. Halloween (Need Date)
42. Halloween 2
43. Haute Tension (High Tension)
44. Hellraiser
45. The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
46. Hostel
47. House of 1000 Corpses
48. I-Robot
49. Ichi the Killer (Special Edition)
50. Inferno
51. In the Mouth of Madness
52. The Iron Giant (Special Edition)
53. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Collector’s Edition 1978)
54. Jacob’s Ladder (Special Edition)
55. Jeepers Creepers
56. Ju-On
57. Logan’s Run
58. Metropolis (1926)
59. Minority Report
60. Night of the Living Dead (30th Anniversary Edition1968)
61. Nightmare on Elm Street
62. Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
63. Oldboy
64. The Omen (1976)
65. The Orphanage
66. The Others
67. Pan’s Labyrinth
68. Phantasm
69. Pitch Black
70. Planet of the Apes (1967 Collector’s Edition)
71. Poltergeist
72. Predator
73. Psycho (1960 Collector’s Edition)
74. Re-Animator (Limited Edition)
75. The Ring
76. The Running Man (Special Edition)
77. Saw (Saw Trilogy)
78. Saw 2 (Saw Trilogy)
79. Saw 3 (Saw Trilogy)
80. Scanners
81. Serenity (Collector’s Edition)
82. The Serpent and the Rainbow
83. Session 9
84. Seven (Platinum Series)
85. Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining (Special Editions)
86. The Sixth Sense
87. Slaughterhouse Five (1973)
88. Solaris (1972 Criterion Collection)
89. Soylent Green
90. Stephen King’s IT
91. Sunshine
92. Suspiria (Special Edition)
93. A Tale of Two Sisters
94. The Terminator
95. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 Ultimate Edition)
96. They Live
97. The Thing (Collector’s Edition)
98. The Time Machine (1960)
99. Total Recall (Special Edition)
100. War of the Worlds (Spielberg)

Game on!

“Once this city used to pulse with energy; dirty and dangerous, but alive and wonderful. Now it is something else.” – Faith. DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced that writer and story designer Rhianna Pratchett is responsible for crafting the intricate script for Mirror’s Edge™ – a unique first-person action adventure. Pratchett introduces players to Faith, a ‘runner’ in a world where communication channels are highly
monitored and the movement of human traffic is closely watched. When Faith’s sister gets framed for a murder she did not commit, Faith finds herself on the edge of the city, on the wrong side of the law.

“It was a great experience working with the team at DICE to help breathe life into Faith; her world, relationships and backstory,” said Rhianna Pratchett. ”My heroines and heroes have always been the ones who were ordinary, but through the events of a story, became extraordinary. Faith is skilled, but she’s certainly not a superhero. She has her flaws, like all of us. In short: she’s real. That’s her appeal.”

Mirror’s Edge delivers players straight into the shoes of this modern day heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat, fast-paced chases and challenging puzzles. With a never-before-seen sense of movement and perspective, players are drawn into Faith’s world.

“We were excited to work with Rhianna to develop the story, setting and character of Faith,” said Owen O’Brien, Executive Producer, DICE. “We were extremely lucky to be able to work with someone who is not only a writer, but also a core gamer, to create the world of Mirror’s Edge.”

Pratchett has been recognized by the videogame entertainment industry for numerous achievements in her 10 year gaming career including being voted by Next-Gen.Biz as one of the 100 most influential women in the games industry. She’s also worked on a number of high profiles games including Heavenly Sword and Overlord that have been nominated for a BAFTA and Develop Award for creation of story, character and new intellectual property. For more information on her work, please visit www.rhiannapratchett.com.

Game on!

1942: Joint Strike takes inspiration and influence from the ‘80s 194X series of World War II-themed vertical arcade shooters. The art, sound and gameplay of the new game take cues from the original 194X games, but will stand out as its own unique entry. Gameplay will resemble the classic 2D style that gamers expect, but the game utilizes a fully 3D engine. Set in a World War II-themed locale, stages, vehicles and weapons have the look and feel of WWII with some stylistic differences.

The new 1942: Joint Strike features 2-player online cooperative play. Graphics and music have been similarly updated by Backbone Entertainment, the developers of this latest entry into the 194X series. There’s also a brand new score for the game created by Norihiko Hibino, an international composer well-known for his work creating music for the Metal Gear series.

Screenshots:

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Game on!

Electronic Arts Inc today unveiled the music track listing for Madden NFL 09, set to release August 12, 2008. The new soundtrack features 26 songs from a multi-genre roster of superstar acts and soon-to-breakthrough artists, including Franz Ferdinand, Good Charlotte, Airbourne, From First To Last, The All-American Rejects, Rev Theory, K’Naan, and Kidz In The Hall. Madden NFL, the biggest-selling sports franchise in videogame history,
celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with a full slate of live music events, tributes and television appearances leading up the game’s street date.

“Madden NFL is the foundation of what we do and sets the standard for every soundtrack we create,” said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Marketing for EA. “Madden NFL revolutionized the industry by making music of multiple genres – from both established acts and brand-new artists – an essential emotional component of the videogame experience and the NFL season itself. This 20th Anniversary Edition soundtrack celebrates that legacy like never before, complete with marketing events that take the excitement to a whole new level. Not only have we changed the gaming culture forever, we continue to move the needle musically for millions of people around the world. Madden NFL will always be recognized as the game that made the music matter in videogames.”

The highlights of the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack include genre-bending collaborations by Busta Rhymes featuring Linkin Park and Young Dre, The Truth featuring Good Charlotte, as well as returning Madden NFL hit makers Franz Ferdinand, Gym Class Heroes (both with pre-album prerelease tracks), All American Rejects, Shinedown, Senses Fail, Disturbed, The Offspring and Airbourne. The soundtrack’s trend of introducing emerging artists continues with 12 new acts that include The Fashion, Cardinal Offishall featuring Lindo P, In Flames, Innerpartysystem, Hollywood Undead, Mindless Self Indulgence, Izza Kizza, Trivium, Kovas and Tyga.

Cross-promotional events leading up to the game’s release include a series of :60 viral videos for tracks featured in the game, a special Madden Music Anniversary tribute issue of Billboard on newsstands July 13th, as well as other marketing partnerships to be announced in the near future. Beginning the week of August 4th, a different Madden NFL 09 soundtrack artist will perform live each night on a popular late night show.

Over the past decade, the Madden NFL soundtrack has launched premier artists that include Good Charlotte, OK GO, Fallout Boy, Franz Ferdinand, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet For My Valentine, Yellowcard, Dashboard Confessional, Jet, Ozomatli and 30 Seconds To Mars, and featured such superstars as Green Day, Outkast, Foo Fighters, blink-182, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osbourne, The Hives, Timbaland featuring Justin Timberlake and Sum 41.

The complete in-game soundtrack for Madden NFL 09 features the following
26 songs:

ARTIST
SONG

Airbourne
Stand Up For Rock ‘N Roll

Busta Rhymes feat. Linkin Park
We Made It

Disturbed
Inside The Fire

Franz Ferdinand
Lucid Dreams

From First To Last
Worlds Away

Gym Class Heroes
I’m Home

Hollywood Undead
Undead

In Flames
The Mirror’s Truth

Innerpartysystem
Don’t Stop

Izza Kizza
Millionaire

K’NAAN
ABC’s

Kardinal Offishall feat. Lindo P
Burnt

Kidz In The Hall
Blackout

KOVAS
Wax On, Wax Off

Mindless Self Indulgence
Never Wanted To Dance

Rev Theory
Hey Yeah

Senses Fail
Wolves At The Door

Shinedown
Devour

The All-American Rejects
The Real World (Demo)

The Fashion
Like Knives

The Offspring
Hammerhead

Trivium
Into The Mouth Of…We March

Tyga
Diamond Life

Underoath
Desperate Times, Desperate Measures

Wale feat. Southeast Slim
Breakdown

Young Dre The Truth feat. Good Charlotte
Workin’

Music from the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack is available on EA’s music
website at www.ea.com/eatrax.

Game on!

Introduction:
In most shooter games, cover is key. It’s a warm security blanket, giving you that ‘I’m safe’ feeling as you pause to let your health recharge. Well, don’t get too comfortable with that feeling, because in Battlefield: Bad Company (B: BC) taking cover will only help you for a short time.

The multiplayer you’ve come to know and love from the Battlefield series is here and more intense than ever before, along with a completely fleshed out single-player campaign. Get ready to head to the Battlefield. You’re in Bad Company now.

Gameplay:
You are Private Preston Marlowe, and you’ve just been reassigned to B Company – a collection of quasi-criminals, rejects and other misfits that the Army considers very expendable. You aren’t exactly thrilled about the placement, but it was either this or military prison for earlier crimes you’d committed.

You are thrust behind enemy lines, and ordered to infiltrate and secure various enemy installations with your squad mates: Sergeant Redford (Squad Leader), Sweetwater (Tech. /Comm. Specialist), and Haggard(Explosives Expert). Things get a bit ugly out in the field and the Army decides to disavow B Company and strand you behind enemy lines. Left for dead, you and your squad mates set out on a new mission of your own. Thus begins your search for the caches of gold you know the enemy mercenaries are getting paid with – something your whole squad agrees is worth fighting for.

Your squad mates in the single-player game seem to be there more for ‘scenery’ and comic relief than to actually help you fight the battles. In fact, despite having three AI teammates, it really feels like you’re fighting through the game alone. Your teammates never die, and they just aren’t very good shots. Many times, I’ve watched as Sweetwater or Haggard stand nearly face-to-face with an enemy, but neither of them goes down until I shoot the enemy myself.

In a way, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because you learn to do everything yourself. Learning each weapon, how and when to use cover, calling in airstrikes, etc. are essential skills you’ll need for when you’re ready to jump into some multiplayer – where working as a team is essential.

Rather than the standard, ‘get out of harms way for a moment to let your health recharge’.  B: BC has you using an auto-injector to provide a health boost.  While you don’t have to search for more syringes and you don’t run out, it’s a different take on health that forces you to keep an eye on your health meter and give yourself an injection when needed.  Don’t forget or you’ll find yourself dead fast! 

With some of the most destructible environments yet seen in a shooter, B: BC will leave you with very few places to hide out for long. You can destroy woodpiles, fences, gates; even blow big holes in the sides of buildings. Despite the game’s excellent use of destructible cover, however, the enemy seldom takes advantage of it – robbing you of the joy of blowing that cover out from in front of them and making you question the AI of your enemies.

While the graphics are a bit bland in color (your typical green/brown/black/grey look), they are done well and the explosion effects are fun to watch. You get plenty of chances to see explosions too, as there are destructible fuel barrels and other explosive items scattered all over.

The sound in B: BC is excellent. While the voice acting and corny writing leave a bit to be desired, the sounds of battle are done well. Shotguns, sniper rifles, grenades, etc. all sound as they should. You’ll hear shots whizzing past your head, choppers flying by, mortars exploding, and they’ll all sound great. Just don’t expect any awards for best dialogue.

Extras:
If you’re a longtime fan of the Battlefield franchise, then you know that multiplayer is where it’s at. The multiplayer in B: BC is no exception to that rule. It’s easy to get into a game, and once there it’s a lot of fun to play.

Bad Company really only features one multiplayer mode, but it’s a good one. It’s called Gold Rush, and you play in scored, timed rounds as the attackers or defenders of the gold. At the start of each round, you select your class/weapons kit. Your choices are: Assault (Rifle/Grenades/Knife), Demolition (Shotgun/Rocket Launcher/Knife), Recon (Sniper Rifle/Handgun & Motion Sensor/Knife), Specialist (Light Auto Rifle/Tracer Gun & Grenade/Knife) and Support (Light Machine Gun & Medic Kit/Power Tool/Knife).

Some multiplayer maps also feature vehicles for your battle tactics. There’s everything from Soft Armor vehicles like light transports and trucks, up to Heavy Armor vehicles like tanks and even Attack Helicopters. The pace of the online gameplay feels about right, and the destructible cover really helps keep things interesting.

The debate rages on as to whether or not B: BC dethrones Call of Duty 4 for squad based online multiplayer. It’s a tough call for some people to make. I think I still prefer CoD 4 online, but maybe I just haven’t played enough B: BC online yet. You’ll have to pick up B: BC and decide for yourself.

Conclusion:
With engrossing online gameplay and, finally, an in depth single-player story not seen in previous Battlefield titles, B: BC is a worthy addition to the series. More multiplayer modes would have been nice to see, but overall Battlefield: Bad Company is a well made game that you won’t regret spending your hard earned cash on.

Score: 8.7

Unreal Tournament III, like it’s predecessors, is first and foremost an online multiplayer game.  Those familiar with the series already know that UT games are well known for being seriously action-packed and extremely fast-paced.  Personally, this is my #1 most anticipated title for 2008.  I have been a big fan of the UT series of games since the very first Unreal Tournament debuted on PC in 1999. 

Actually the fourth game in the UT series, UTIII was so named because its the first title to use the 3rd generation Unreal Engine, developed by Epic.  This game engine is extremely popular, and has been licensed by quite a few developers for Xbox 360 game development.  It should be interesting to see how well Epic, the engine’s creator, makes use of the Unreal Engine 3 vs. some of the other developers utilizing it. 

Get ready to jump in on July 7th.

Game on!