tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45511523645629121232011-04-21T14:04:55.386-07:00The most gaming site on the Web, covering PC and video games with reviews, previews, features, cheats, walkthroughs, screenshots.James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2451100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-66847392744194961762009-05-29T00:12:00.005-07:002009-05-29T00:14:16.973-07:00SINGAPORE--Some may consider it kids' game, but robotics can go a long way in encouraging students to think creatively and learn to build products that are commercially viable, said a local educator at Republic Polytechnic (RP).</p><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/students-learn-from-robot-games-0.jpg" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /><a name='more'></a> The tertiary institution on Wednesday held its inaugural Underwater Robotics Olympiad, a competition targeted specifically for secondary school students. The polytechnic had clinched three medals awarded at the country's Singapore Robotic Games (SRG) competition, held earlier this January. </p><p> The Underwater Robotics Olympiad is the result of a collaboration between RP and A-Main Objectives, a home-grown enterprise that specializes in robotics technology and building materials. Sixty teams from 42 secondary schools in Singapore participated in the competition. </p><p> A-Main supplied the components, hardware, motors and controllers required to build the robots in the contest, while RP provided the software used to operate the robots. </p><p> Compared to land-based robotics, underwater robotics expose students to a different set of difficulties and concepts on robot building technology. This urges young minds to be creative in order to solve the unique challenges, said Tan Heap Jui, assistant director of capability development at RP's school of engineering. "[Such] competitions will unleash their creativity," he told ZDNet Asia in an interview Monday. </p><p> RP's Underwater Olympiad was held in the school's swimming pool, featuring obstacles around which participants have to maneuver their robots. The different dynamics and density faced by the robot underwater posed a challenge for students. </p><p> "When in the water, you are dealing with three-dimensions, on land you are dealing with only two-dimensions. You also need to take care of water proofing," Anthony Ong, managing director of A-Main, explained in the interview. Apart from not allowing water to seep into the electronics compartment, Ong noted that condensation might take place when the robot is submerged. Students were then challenged to think of solutions to prevent such incidents, he said. </p><p> Prasanna Kumar, senior manager of RP's robotics laboratory, highlighted the importance of the putting together a sound conceptual design for the robots, including issues such as placements of motors, which affect the propelling motion, and the buoyancy of the robot. </p><p> Students will realize how daily household objects, such as plastic storage containers, can also be used in the construction of the robot, said Kumar, adding that these items can be easily found in most hardware shops. </p><p> Tan noted that the main objective of the competition was to create a platform to raise interest in robotics, and deviate from the typical "hard-selling" of engineering. </p><p> RP students have to complete a final-year project that employs the use of their technical and programming skills in creating a robot, he said. Hence, competitions such as the SRG, greatly complement the school curriculum in providing the platform for students to showcase their innovation and creativity, Tan said. </p><p>Commercialization of robotics technology<br /> Once out of school, students can then put their robotics expertise to real-world commercial deployments. </p><p> According to Ong, robotics technology have been used to build products such as flight simulators. Specifically, A-Main helped one customer build a simulator that used actuators, which are mechanical devices that send and receive impulses to move and control a machine, to mobilize a model plane. </p><p> This allows the flight simulation to be brought "out of the screen", making the process more visual and real, said Ong. </p><p> Tan added that robotics, coupled with RP's entrepreneurial module for first-year engineering students and the inclusion of entrepreneurship in school projects, allow students to utilize as well as commercialize their technical skills. At the same time, it helps them design products relevant to daily and commercial use, he said. </p><p> But, Ong noted that the one component that remains a challenge for robotics toady is power supply. For instance, a robot that is approximately 30 centimeters high is typically supported by a battery pack that occupies 30 percent of its weight. "A battery is still a battery. Without advancements in power delivery systems, there can't be a lot of advancement in robotics", he said. </p><p> Ong noted that if the power source can be improved and built with the ability to generate power, robotics technology will have room for improvement. </p><p> A possible alternative to the conventional DC (direct current) power source are solar powered units, where heat generated can be converted to kinetic energy, he said. In a DC source, only 30 to 40 percent of its energy is converted to electrical power, compared to up to 60 percent in solar energy. </p><p><i>Based in Singapore, Konrad Foo is an intern with ZDNet Asia. This article was originally posted on ZDNet Asia.</i> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/capita-helps-stafford-collegiate-keep.html" rel="bookmark" title="Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress">Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-files-tunguska.html" rel="bookmark" title="Secret Files: Tunguska">Secret Files: Tunguska</a></li> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/capita-helps-stafford-collegiate-keep.html" rel="bookmark" title="Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress">Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-files-tunguska.html" rel="bookmark" title="Secret Files: Tunguska">Secret Files: Tunguska</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6684739274419496176?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-18606671988226526342009-05-29T00:12:00.003-07:002009-05-29T00:14:14.596-07:00SINGAPORE--Some may consider it kids' game, but robotics can go a long way in encouraging students to think creatively and learn to build products that are commercially viable, said a local educator at Republic Polytechnic (RP).</p><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/students-learn-from-robot-games-0.jpg" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /><a name='more'></a> The tertiary institution on Wednesday held its inaugural Underwater Robotics Olympiad, a competition targeted specifically for secondary school students. The polytechnic had clinched three medals awarded at the country's Singapore Robotic Games (SRG) competition, held earlier this January. </p><p> The Underwater Robotics Olympiad is the result of a collaboration between RP and A-Main Objectives, a home-grown enterprise that specializes in robotics technology and building materials. Sixty teams from 42 secondary schools in Singapore participated in the competition. </p><p> A-Main supplied the components, hardware, motors and controllers required to build the robots in the contest, while RP provided the software used to operate the robots. </p><p> Compared to land-based robotics, underwater robotics expose students to a different set of difficulties and concepts on robot building technology. This urges young minds to be creative in order to solve the unique challenges, said Tan Heap Jui, assistant director of capability development at RP's school of engineering. "[Such] competitions will unleash their creativity," he told ZDNet Asia in an interview Monday. </p><p> RP's Underwater Olympiad was held in the school's swimming pool, featuring obstacles around which participants have to maneuver their robots. The different dynamics and density faced by the robot underwater posed a challenge for students. </p><p> "When in the water, you are dealing with three-dimensions, on land you are dealing with only two-dimensions. You also need to take care of water proofing," Anthony Ong, managing director of A-Main, explained in the interview. Apart from not allowing water to seep into the electronics compartment, Ong noted that condensation might take place when the robot is submerged. Students were then challenged to think of solutions to prevent such incidents, he said. </p><p> Prasanna Kumar, senior manager of RP's robotics laboratory, highlighted the importance of the putting together a sound conceptual design for the robots, including issues such as placements of motors, which affect the propelling motion, and the buoyancy of the robot. </p><p> Students will realize how daily household objects, such as plastic storage containers, can also be used in the construction of the robot, said Kumar, adding that these items can be easily found in most hardware shops. </p><p> Tan noted that the main objective of the competition was to create a platform to raise interest in robotics, and deviate from the typical "hard-selling" of engineering. </p><p> RP students have to complete a final-year project that employs the use of their technical and programming skills in creating a robot, he said. Hence, competitions such as the SRG, greatly complement the school curriculum in providing the platform for students to showcase their innovation and creativity, Tan said. </p><p>Commercialization of robotics technology<br /> Once out of school, students can then put their robotics expertise to real-world commercial deployments. </p><p> According to Ong, robotics technology have been used to build products such as flight simulators. Specifically, A-Main helped one customer build a simulator that used actuators, which are mechanical devices that send and receive impulses to move and control a machine, to mobilize a model plane. </p><p> This allows the flight simulation to be brought "out of the screen", making the process more visual and real, said Ong. </p><p> Tan added that robotics, coupled with RP's entrepreneurial module for first-year engineering students and the inclusion of entrepreneurship in school projects, allow students to utilize as well as commercialize their technical skills. At the same time, it helps them design products relevant to daily and commercial use, he said. </p><p> But, Ong noted that the one component that remains a challenge for robotics toady is power supply. For instance, a robot that is approximately 30 centimeters high is typically supported by a battery pack that occupies 30 percent of its weight. "A battery is still a battery. Without advancements in power delivery systems, there can't be a lot of advancement in robotics", he said. </p><p> Ong noted that if the power source can be improved and built with the ability to generate power, robotics technology will have room for improvement. </p><p> A possible alternative to the conventional DC (direct current) power source are solar powered units, where heat generated can be converted to kinetic energy, he said. In a DC source, only 30 to 40 percent of its energy is converted to electrical power, compared to up to 60 percent in solar energy. </p><p><i>Based in Singapore, Konrad Foo is an intern with ZDNet Asia. This article was originally posted on ZDNet Asia.</i> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/capita-helps-stafford-collegiate-keep.html" rel="bookmark" title="Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress">Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/lack-of-it-investment-in-schools.html" rel="bookmark" title="Lack of IT investment in schools threatens future UK economy">Lack of IT investment in schools threatens future UK economy</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-files-tunguska.html" rel="bookmark" title="Secret Files: Tunguska">Secret Files: Tunguska</a></li> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/capita-helps-stafford-collegiate-keep.html" rel="bookmark" title="Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress">Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/lack-of-it-investment-in-schools.html" rel="bookmark" title="Lack of IT investment in schools threatens future UK economy">Lack of IT investment in schools threatens future UK economy</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-files-tunguska.html" rel="bookmark" title="Secret Files: Tunguska">Secret Files: Tunguska</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1860667198822652634?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-76876850895774748982009-05-29T00:12:00.001-07:002009-05-29T00:12:35.860-07:00SINGAPORE--Some may consider it kids' game, but robotics can go a long way in encouraging students to think creatively and learn to build products that are commercially viable, said a local educator at Republic Polytechnic (RP).</p><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/students-learn-from-robot-games-0.jpg" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /" alt="Students learn from robot games" title="Students learn from robot games" /><a name='more'></a> The tertiary institution on Wednesday held its inaugural Underwater Robotics Olympiad, a competition targeted specifically for secondary school students. The polytechnic had clinched three medals awarded at the country's Singapore Robotic Games (SRG) competition, held earlier this January. </p><p> The Underwater Robotics Olympiad is the result of a collaboration between RP and A-Main Objectives, a home-grown enterprise that specializes in robotics technology and building materials. Sixty teams from 42 secondary schools in Singapore participated in the competition. </p><p> A-Main supplied the components, hardware, motors and controllers required to build the robots in the contest, while RP provided the software used to operate the robots. </p><p> Compared to land-based robotics, underwater robotics expose students to a different set of difficulties and concepts on robot building technology. This urges young minds to be creative in order to solve the unique challenges, said Tan Heap Jui, assistant director of capability development at RP's school of engineering. "[Such] competitions will unleash their creativity," he told ZDNet Asia in an interview Monday. </p><p> RP's Underwater Olympiad was held in the school's swimming pool, featuring obstacles around which participants have to maneuver their robots. The different dynamics and density faced by the robot underwater posed a challenge for students. </p><p> "When in the water, you are dealing with three-dimensions, on land you are dealing with only two-dimensions. You also need to take care of water proofing," Anthony Ong, managing director of A-Main, explained in the interview. Apart from not allowing water to seep into the electronics compartment, Ong noted that condensation might take place when the robot is submerged. Students were then challenged to think of solutions to prevent such incidents, he said. </p><p> Prasanna Kumar, senior manager of RP's robotics laboratory, highlighted the importance of the putting together a sound conceptual design for the robots, including issues such as placements of motors, which affect the propelling motion, and the buoyancy of the robot. </p><p> Students will realize how daily household objects, such as plastic storage containers, can also be used in the construction of the robot, said Kumar, adding that these items can be easily found in most hardware shops. </p><p> Tan noted that the main objective of the competition was to create a platform to raise interest in robotics, and deviate from the typical "hard-selling" of engineering. </p><p> RP students have to complete a final-year project that employs the use of their technical and programming skills in creating a robot, he said. Hence, competitions such as the SRG, greatly complement the school curriculum in providing the platform for students to showcase their innovation and creativity, Tan said. </p><p>Commercialization of robotics technology<br /> Once out of school, students can then put their robotics expertise to real-world commercial deployments. </p><p> According to Ong, robotics technology have been used to build products such as flight simulators. Specifically, A-Main helped one customer build a simulator that used actuators, which are mechanical devices that send and receive impulses to move and control a machine, to mobilize a model plane. </p><p> This allows the flight simulation to be brought "out of the screen", making the process more visual and real, said Ong. </p><p> Tan added that robotics, coupled with RP's entrepreneurial module for first-year engineering students and the inclusion of entrepreneurship in school projects, allow students to utilize as well as commercialize their technical skills. At the same time, it helps them design products relevant to daily and commercial use, he said. </p><p> But, Ong noted that the one component that remains a challenge for robotics toady is power supply. For instance, a robot that is approximately 30 centimeters high is typically supported by a battery pack that occupies 30 percent of its weight. "A battery is still a battery. Without advancements in power delivery systems, there can't be a lot of advancement in robotics", he said. </p><p> Ong noted that if the power source can be improved and built with the ability to generate power, robotics technology will have room for improvement. </p><p> A possible alternative to the conventional DC (direct current) power source are solar powered units, where heat generated can be converted to kinetic energy, he said. In a DC source, only 30 to 40 percent of its energy is converted to electrical power, compared to up to 60 percent in solar energy. </p><p><i>Based in Singapore, Konrad Foo is an intern with ZDNet Asia. This article was originally posted on ZDNet Asia.</i> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/capita-helps-stafford-collegiate-keep.html" rel="bookmark" title="Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress">Capita helps Stafford Collegiate keep track of student progress</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-files-tunguska.html" rel="bookmark" title="Secret Files: Tunguska">Secret Files: Tunguska</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/sins-of-solar-empire-entrenchment.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment - Preview">Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment - Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7687685089577474898?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-21807222329379581462009-05-02T13:58:00.001-07:002009-05-02T14:48:50.189-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/playstation-spot-vid-shows-vids-from.html" rel="bookmark" title="Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713">Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2180722232937958146?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-86366270050284886842009-05-01T17:28:00.015-07:002009-05-02T13:48:39.339-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8636627005028488684?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-77652512297556415802009-05-01T17:28:00.013-07:002009-05-02T13:48:37.856-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7765251229755641580?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-15239652600230532252009-05-01T17:28:00.011-07:002009-05-02T13:48:36.331-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1523965260023053225?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-84694384514175274412009-05-01T17:28:00.009-07:002009-05-02T13:48:34.963-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8469438451417527441?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-65559685662759161542009-05-01T17:28:00.007-07:002009-05-02T13:48:33.548-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6555968566275916154?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-18637757609127171512009-05-01T17:28:00.005-07:002009-05-02T13:48:32.238-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1863775760912717151?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-75628725395540047172009-05-01T17:28:00.003-07:002009-05-02T13:48:30.921-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7562872539554004717?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-74443527427678692172009-05-01T17:28:00.001-07:002009-05-02T13:48:29.456-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7444352742767869217?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-13743211478158364542009-04-30T21:05:00.037-07:002009-04-30T21:07:05.656-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1374321147815836454?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-53031379986724047832009-04-30T21:05:00.035-07:002009-04-30T21:07:04.332-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5303137998672404783?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-67472238015150890192009-04-30T21:05:00.033-07:002009-04-30T21:07:02.990-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6747223801515089019?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-42346798107959232792009-04-30T21:05:00.031-07:002009-04-30T21:07:01.276-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4234679810795923279?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-72830652579619802502009-04-30T21:05:00.029-07:002009-04-30T21:06:59.895-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7283065257961980250?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-34583602085342943762009-04-30T21:05:00.027-07:002009-04-30T21:06:58.461-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3458360208534294376?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-31677480368928784862009-04-30T21:05:00.025-07:002009-04-30T21:06:55.369-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3167748036892878486?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-86456570560560154442009-04-30T21:05:00.023-07:002009-04-30T21:06:56.957-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8645657056056015444?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-80520919708983459492009-04-30T21:05:00.021-07:002009-04-30T21:06:53.951-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8052091970898345949?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-80386238287829386432009-04-30T21:05:00.019-07:002009-04-30T21:06:33.080-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8038623828782938643?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-62912602802272968242009-04-30T21:05:00.017-07:002009-04-30T21:06:31.702-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6291260280227296824?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-35139938746096989862009-04-30T21:05:00.015-07:002009-04-30T21:06:29.922-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3513993874609698986?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-11042116731421730142009-04-30T21:05:00.013-07:002009-04-30T21:06:28.632-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/linguamatics-joins-microsoft-bioit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance">Linguamatics joins Microsoft BioIT Alliance</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/sims-3.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Sims 3">The Sims 3</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1104211673142173014?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-24401995154033715382009-04-30T21:05:00.011-07:002009-04-30T21:06:26.965-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbc-launches-new-iplayer.html" rel="bookmark" title="BBC launches new iPlayer">BBC launches new iPlayer</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2440199515403371538?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-15891035789380481942009-04-30T21:05:00.009-07:002009-04-30T21:06:25.520-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbc-launches-new-iplayer.html" rel="bookmark" title="BBC launches new iPlayer">BBC launches new iPlayer</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1589103578938048194?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-2575535202278471222009-04-30T21:05:00.007-07:002009-04-30T21:06:24.057-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-257553520227847122?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-29827407757642723432009-04-30T21:05:00.005-07:002009-04-30T21:06:21.382-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbc-launches-new-iplayer.html" rel="bookmark" title="BBC launches new iPlayer">BBC launches new iPlayer</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2982740775764272343?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-64903338166946778802009-04-30T21:05:00.003-07:002009-04-30T21:06:12.240-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbc-launches-new-iplayer.html" rel="bookmark" title="BBC launches new iPlayer">BBC launches new iPlayer</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6490333816694677880?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-67276357740332438412009-04-30T21:05:00.001-07:002009-04-30T21:06:03.770-07:00<p>It's been a while since the UK had a proper, full-blown, full-fatgaming show. The London Games Festival has been doing a pretty good job over the last couple of years of course, but we haven't really seen a big, shiney, focused extravaganza of digital excess since the days ofGame StarsLive. And that was a long time ago.</p><p>That mightchange thisyear though, as new event Game On! (gratuitous exclamation mark theirs, not ours) attempts to stomp all over the June page of the gaming calendar and make it its bitch. Headlined by HMV and organised by the UK eSports Association, the plan is to make the 20,000 capacity event the biggest consumer-friendly games fest in the country this year. And by the sounds of it they could be onto a winner.New games, so-new-they're-not-even-finished-games, eye-popping tech and pro gaming will all be there in abundance, as now will Nintendo, having just confirmed their attendance.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Nintendo? At a hardcore-focused gaming event? Potentially exciting, no? WithGame On!happening on the 20th and 21st of June - mere days after E3 - eyebrows must surely twitch at the possibility of some proper games in Ninty's line-up this year.</p><p>Interested? Provided you still have a working pulse and fully-operating higher brain functions, of course you are. So head tothis website right here, get your ticket for a mere 8, and begin preparing your transportation to London's Olympia immediately. Sounds like this is one you really don't want to miss.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/bbc-launches-new-iplayer.html" rel="bookmark" title="BBC launches new iPlayer">BBC launches new iPlayer</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/wavecom-opens-new-office-in-brazil.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager">Wavecom opens new office in Brazil, appoints new country manager</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6727635774033243841?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-84800780976909190922009-03-12T14:56:00.001-07:002009-03-12T15:46:48.588-07:00Next time you are eating at your desk, try not to think of multitude of germs lurking on your keyboard along with some other unpleasant debris.</p><p> Nail clippings, chips, pastry crumbs, chewing gum and beard hair are some of the disagreeable detritus that accumulates inside the average office keyboard, according to Claire Burke, director of Keep IT Clean, an IT hardware cleaning company with clients including hotels and the NHS. </p><p> Burke told silicon.com, that IT chiefs call her company in so tech staff don't have to negotiate a minefield of grime when they are called on to fix a broken PC. </p><a name='more'></a><p> "If you get IT having to work on other people's computers, it's not fair if you have to scrape something off the keyboard," she said. </p><p> Last year researchers for Which Computing tested more than 30 keyboards from a typical London office and found some harbored levels of bacteria that could put their user at high risk of becoming ill. In one case a microbiologist suggested the removal of a keyboard as it had 150 times the recommended limit of bacteria five times filthier than a toilet seat that was swabbed in the same test. </p><p> The main cause of a bug-infested keyboard is users eating lunch at their desk, as the crumbs encourage the growth of millions of bacteria. </p><p> And with IT equipment shared with colleagues in call centres or 'hot desk' environments the problem isn't just one for the IT helpdesk workers, either. </p><p> The credit crunch is also having an impact on attitudes towards cleaning and replacing kit, Burke said: "The attitude is they would throw the keyboard away and get a new one but you can't do that now." </p><p> So what are the least pleasant things that Burke's team has come across? </p><p> "Smelly laptops," she said. "When people spend so much on IT equipment why do they let it get so bad?" </p><p> "You can always tell if they eat salt and vinegar chips because you can smell it," she added. </p><p> Burke's other least favorites include the scum on the bottom of the mouse, the fluff in the keyboard "that comes from nowhere" and the various crumbs that IT equipment attracts, as well as grime wiped on the side of keyboards by users.</p><p><i>This article was originally posted on silicon.com. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ils-expands-securewise-platform-into.html" rel="bookmark" title="ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas">ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8480078097690919092?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-59006934879754906352009-02-28T13:56:00.001-08:002009-02-28T14:45:55.665-08:00Whitebox vendors in the region may warm up to the One Laptop Per Child's (OLPC's) decision to open its design, according to market research analyst IDC.</p><p> Multinational PC makers, on the other hand, will continue their focus on mini-notebooks, Reuben Tan, IDC's senior manager for personal systems research in the Asia-Pacific region, told ZDNet Asia in a phone interview.</p><p> Earlier this month, OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte announced the organization's intention to open source its hardware design and invite commercial PC makers to copy it. In an e-mail interview with ZDNet Asia, Negroponte said the OLPC intends to make open as many aspects of its next-generation XO laptop as possible.</p><a name='more'></a><p> Negroponte added the organization is also working to improve features in netbooks. Current products, he pointed out, lack three design features: low power equal to or below 2 watts; ruggedness and the ability to be repairable easily; and displays that are readable in the sun. Such features could be made available by "non-traditional vendors". </p><p> IDC's Tan noted the OLPC has seen successes in Latin America but penetration is "very low" in regions such as the Asia-Pacific. Mini-notebooks, which emerged after OLPC's XO laptops came onto the global scene, have on the other hand "ramped up quite a lot" in the region. </p><p> While the OLPC's endeavor would likely attract some interest from local manufacturers and lead to the vendors incorporating "some of the OLPC designs into their own skills", there is also the challenge of keeping costs down. </p><p> "If there's going to be traction, I'd say it comes primarily from local, whitebox vendors in various countries that have existing desktop or nettop lines, who are looking to diversify into the portable area," said Tan. But even so, these manufacturers need to focus on the rural areas of emerging markets, he said. </p><p> Big multinational PC vendors, such as Hewlett-Packard and Dell, will continue to focus strongly on the mini-notebook market, said Tan. "There's already that competition in a way...[as] variants of OLPC start to come into the market. </p><p> "'What is the target market for this particular product' and 'Will it be competing with mini-notebooks out there'--those will be the questions which these big PC vendors will be asking," he added. </p><p> According to Tan, vendors will be most interested in copying its price and optimized operating system--a gap that has not been properly addressed in the mini-notebook market yet. </p><p> HP did not respond to ZDNet Asia's queries at the time of writing. A Dell spokesperson told ZDNet Asia the company does not believe in a "one-size-fits-all approach", adding that user demands differ according to markets or need. A Lenovo spokesperson said that it was "premature to comment" as the company does not have details on the OLPC offering.</p><p><i>This article was originally posted on ZDNet Asia. </i> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/blue-coat-opens-malaysian-service.html" rel="bookmark" title="Blue Coat opens Malaysian service center">Blue Coat opens Malaysian service center</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/1st-call-of-duty-5-details-released.html" rel="bookmark" title="1st Call of Duty 5 details released">1st Call of Duty 5 details released</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/savage-moon-preview_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Savage Moon Preview">Savage Moon Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5900693487975490635?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-44990432116460317062009-02-28T13:55:00.001-08:002009-02-28T14:45:54.543-08:00Sony has announced a major reorganization of its business divisions that sees chief executive and chairman Howard Stringer also become president.</p><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/sony-reorganizes-as-president-steps-down-0.jpg" alt="Sony reorganizes as president steps down" title="Sony reorganizes as president steps down" /" alt="Sony reorganizes as president steps down" title="Sony reorganizes as president steps down" /><a name='more'></a> Ryoji Chubachi, the current president, will become vice chairman on 1 April, Sony announced on Friday. According to a statement, Chubachi will also "remain a member of the board and a representative corporate executive officer and will assist the CEO and also oversee product safety and quality, and Sonys environmental policies".</p><p> A new Networked Products and Services group will bundle in Sony's Vaio PC business with its entertainment, mobile products and media software and services businesses. According to the statement, the PlayStation network service platform is "integral" to the creation of new products within this group. Kazuo Hirai, the current head of the Sony computer entertainment business, will head this new group. </p><p> A second new business division, the Consumer Products Group, will incorporate Sony's television, digital imaging, home audio and video divisions. This division will be led by the current head of the TV business group, Hiroshi Yoshioka. Sony's semiconductor and component business group will also report to Yoshioka, and the current head of the Vaio business group, Yoshihisa Ishida, will run Sony's TV business group. </p><p> Michael Philpott, a principal analyst at Ovum, told ZDNet UK on Friday that the reorganization was "a good move because hopefully it will start to unite some of [Sony's] big divisions". </p><p> "Any integration within that company is a good move," Philpott said, adding "hardly any of the devices that [Sony has], even if they're supposed to work together, work together very well at all". </p><p> Philpott noted a recent lack of central strategy at Sony, and said a longstanding drive to unite the various units within the company had not yet produced results. </p><p> Asked whether it made sense to integrate the Vaio business into the same division that deals with the PlayStation and Walkman brands, Philpott said it depended on how Sony intended to use that integration. </p><p> "If you look at Apple, Apple has made the [Macbook] the central point of their connected home strategy everything else links to it, such as the iPod and Apple TV," he said. "If Sony's thinking about developing new products and services using the PC as a media center to enable new experiences for the consumer, then that will start to make sense. If they're not thinking about doing that, there doesnt seem to be any point."</p><p><i>This article was originally published on ZDNet.co.uk.</i> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/motorola-splits-home-and-networks-unit.html" rel="bookmark" title="Motorola splits Home and Networks unit into three">Motorola splits Home and Networks unit into three</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/ericsson-appoints-senior-vp-and-head-of.html" rel="bookmark" title="Ericsson appoints senior VP and head of business unit networks">Ericsson appoints senior VP and head of business unit networks</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/legendary-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Legendary Preview">Legendary Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/itagaki-leaves-tecmo.html" rel="bookmark" title="Itagaki leaves Tecmo">Itagaki leaves Tecmo</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4499043211646031706?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-36094306185761068242009-02-10T15:25:00.001-08:002009-02-10T15:25:51.134-08:00In the world of sales figures, America and Japan have commonly been seen to dominate the market - which is why so many games nowadays seem to cater to those markets. There's nothing but big muscles and spiky hair - not a Brogue-wearing businessman in sight. <br /><br /> Or, at least, that <i>used</i> to be the case. Japan it seems is no longer the market leader it once was, with the UK growing it's gaming market to become the nation with the second-biggest gaming market ever.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> According to GfK ChartTrack, a sales-tracking firm that monitors retail games sales across the world, the UK's games sales have risen by more than 37 percent compared to January 2008, with total software sales rising by 26 percent. What recession, eh?<br /><br /> That said, it's important to consider the number of factors here - such as the fact that a lot of games and platforms are released early in Japan, so customers over their will have already got over the sales spurt bought on by the release of the DSi. Thus, while the UK is still steadily improving, Japan is actually in decline according to a ChartTrack spokesperson. <br /><br /> "<i>Japan is certainly in decline at the moment, mainly down to the fact that everyone seems to have already bought a DS or PSP, so hardware sales aren’t driving software sales – although DSi is flying off the shelves,</i>" a spokesperson said to MCV. <br /><br /> "<i>The very sudden decline of PS2 is also a factor. The Japanese market is about twice the size of ours, so there is room for manoeuvre in terms of people who had a DS four years ago and want a new handheld.</i>"<br /><br /> Have you been buying more games than usual? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/relm-wireless-q1-sales-decline.html" rel="bookmark" title="RELM Wireless Q1 sales decline">RELM Wireless Q1 sales decline</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3609430618576106824?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-53833792762791299902009-02-07T13:57:00.001-08:002009-02-07T14:45:44.530-08:00Amazon has launched a new digital storefront for casual gamers today, with more than 600 casual games already listed for just £9.99 GBP, or less. <br /><br /> Currently running as an open beta until the feature set has been expanded a little more, Amazon is keen to get into the lucrative casual games market - which is ironically booming given the large number of lay-offs hitting many industries. <br /><br /> Each of the 600 games listed on the casual gaming service can be downloaded for a free half-hour trial without obligation, but after that it's either buy it or leave it apparently. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> "<i>Casual Games are a natural fit with our demographic,</i>" an Amazon spokesperson said in a statement to Kotaku yesterday. <br /><br /> "<i>We have 88 million active customers who can appreciate the convenience of the true Amazon shopping experience combined with the casual games experience...We always want to offer the widest selection possible, just like we've done with our boxed games over the past two years.</i>"<br /><br /> Amazon then hinted that they may look to expand the digital store even more in the future, perhaps becoming a direct competitor for Valve's Steam service if things go well. <br /><br /> Are you a big fan of casual games, or are your tastes a bit more hardcore? Would you be tempted to use Amazon's system in the future? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ventelo-selects-callidus-smp-suite.html" rel="bookmark" title="Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite">Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-week-in-ff-famitsu-scans.html" rel="bookmark" title="This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..">This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5383379276279129990?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-86819062036014941552009-01-28T13:55:00.001-08:002009-01-28T14:45:51.646-08:00According to sales figures from Media Control GfK International, the video games industry managed to outsell both DVD and Blu-ray combined last year thanks to a huge growth in the format. <br /><br /> The sales figures show that while DVD and Blu-ray sales dropped by six percent last year, videogames grew by a staggering 20 percent and grew a lead over movie formats of more than £1.5 billion GBP. <br /><br /> According to the analysts at Media Control a huge amount of this growth comes down to the popularity of the Nintendo DS and Wii platforms, says GI.biz.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> The continued popularity of the DS and Wii is expected to introduce yet more people to gaming and drive sales in the industry ever upwards. Media Control predicts that by the end of this year game sales will account for more than 57 percent of all packaged media sales, which is an increase of more than four percent on last year. <br /><br /> Software sales themselves are expected to grow by another 12 percent in the next 12 months, while the decline in DVD and Blu-ray is set to accelerate.<br /><br /> The sales figures fit well with often heard notion that the videogame industry as a whole may prove largely resilient to the economic downturn, thanks to the increased longevity and replayability of games over other forms of entertainment. <br /><br /> Have your spending habits changed at all over the last 12 months? Let us know if they have or not in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ventelo-selects-callidus-smp-suite.html" rel="bookmark" title="Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite">Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-week-in-ff-famitsu-scans.html" rel="bookmark" title="This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..">This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8681906203601494155?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-53320161924407495052009-01-26T17:13:00.001-08:002009-01-26T17:13:51.109-08:00Ubisoft has confirmed seven new releases for the 2009/1010 fiscal year, which starts in April. The new releases include some previously detailed, some rumoured and some newly announced titles for the coming year - all of which will be released by next April. <br /><br /> The first and probably biggest game on the list is the sequel to Jade Raymond's <i>Assassin's Creed</i> that was released in 2007 and then later re-released on PC as <i>Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut</i><a name='more'></a>. <br /><br /> Other existing titles that will be expanded upon in 2009 - 2010 include Wii shooter <i>Red Steel 2</i>, <i>Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon</i> and an eventual release of the much-delayed <i>Splinter Cell: Conviction</i>. <br /><br /> The company will also be looking to start new franchises this year and will be doing a lot of tie-in work with movie studios, creating a total of four film-based games, including <i>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> and a game based on James Cameron's <i>Avatar</i>. <br /><br /> The major new title for the title however will be first-person survival game <i>I Am Alive</i>, which is set in the aftermath of a natural disaster and sees players having to scrounge supplies wherever they can to stay alive. While Jade Raymond had also been linked to this title, which is hoping to push the envelope in terms of player expectations, those rumours have since been rubbished and Jade is confirmed to be working on other projects. <br /><br /> "<i>Although we have to be cautious in light of the current economic environment, we expect Ubisoft to once again be one of the most dynamic and profitable publishers in the games industry in 2009,</i>" said Ubi CEO Yves Guillemot in a press statement, later going on to confirm that Ubisoft would continue to expand it's range of casual titles.<br /><br /> Ubisoft is predicting a growth of five to ten percent in the coming year, despite the economical downturn that has prompted lay-offs for other companies. Will they manage it? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/vodafone-wins-uk-44-billion-tax-case.html" rel="bookmark" title="Vodafone wins UK $4.4 billion tax case">Vodafone wins UK $4.4 billion tax case</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/10/prince-of-persia-update.html" rel="bookmark" title="Prince of Persia Update">Prince of Persia Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/preview-of-james-bond-quantum-of-solace.html" rel="bookmark" title="Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace">Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5332016192440749505?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-39011635751789046792009-01-24T13:54:00.001-08:002009-01-24T14:44:46.944-08:00Acer has this morning announced an updated version of its hugely popular Aspire One netbook which comes complete with a 10-inch screen, Windows XP and integrated Bluetooth.<br /><br /> Weighing in at 1.18kg, the new Aspire One should extend Acer's penetration into the netbook market, as it has rapidly moved on from smaller, sub 10-inch form factors adopted by earlier netbooks like the original Aspire One.<br /><br /> It combines a typical 10-inch LED-backlit LCD panel with a 1,024 x 600 native resolution and most of the remaining specifications will be familiar to anyone who has followed the netbook market over the past twelve months.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> There's an Intel Atom processor (presumably clocked at 1.6GHz), an Intel 945GSE chipset and up to 2GB of memory. Networking is handled by the integrated 802.11b/g wireless module and there's also 10/100 Ethernet for those that love plugging themselves into the Internet. Bluetooth is also integrated and Acer says that there is the option to specify integrated WiMAX or 3G connectivity as well, should they float your boat.<br /><br /> Other specifications include a 160GB mechanical hard drive, a multi-card reader and an integrated Acer Crystal Eye webcam which the company says is optimised for "poorly lit environments."<br /><br /> The new Aspire One is equipped with a six cell battery, which Acer claims will last for up to seven hours - we'll be checking that out when we get one in for review. Interestingly, Acer has decided to drop the original Aspire One's custom Linpus Linux Lite operating system in favour of Windows XP on the updated model - a sign of the times, we reckon, as Windows XP seems to be the most popular option for netbooks these days.<br /><br /> Finally, Acer has said the new Aspire One will be available in mid-February for around £299 (inc. VAT) in its base configuration. This will include a one year warranty and none of the optional connectivity options. We'll leave you with some pictures of the device.<br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/acer-announces-inch-aspire-one-0.jpg" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/acer-announces-inch-aspire-one-1.jpg" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/acer-announces-inch-aspire-one-2.jpg" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/acer-announces-inch-aspire-one-3.jpg" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /" alt="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" title="Acer announces 10-inch Aspire One" /><br /><i>Click to enlarge</i><br /> Did you buy an original Aspire One and if so, what do you think of it? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/gsi-technology-appoints-new-board.html" rel="bookmark" title="GSI Technology appoints new board member">GSI Technology appoints new board member</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/look-at-space-siege.html" rel="bookmark" title="A Look at Space Siege">A Look at Space Siege</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3901163575178904679?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-68126173272460712402009-01-22T15:37:00.005-08:002009-01-22T15:38:21.719-08:00Splash Damage boss Paul Wedgwood has spoken out on what he deems a ridiculous arrangement between developers and publishers where pressure is put on developers to achieve certain Metacritic review scores in exchange for bonuses and better royalty agreements. <br /><br /> The <i>Quake Wars</i> developer said that the entire process was flawed and that journalists should abandon percentile scoring systems and instead use 'out of ten' scores. Otherwise, Wedgwood reckons, journalists are under pressure to justify such precise scores, which can lead to overly negative reviews. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> "<i>We know that some websites score quite high and some quite low, but in general, all websites tend to score between 60 and 100. There's never a 37. It's as if that whole section doesn't exist, so zero starts at 60, so three stars, and goes up to five. It's just not really an accurate enough measure,</i>" said Wedgwood in an interview with GI.biz.<br /><br /> As an aside, the man obviously hasn't been reading <i>bit-tech.net</i> lately as we make sure we use the whole scoring range, with even a 5/10 score going up today. We're certainly not afraid tocallbadproductsout. Ho-hum.<br /><br /> "<i>Percentiles put too much pressure on a journalist to justify an exact score. It puts too much pressure on the developer to try and identify these criteria that lead to very specific point increases or decreases, which is not at all what the developer should be focusing on,</i>" said Wedgwood.<br /><br /> Wedgwood, who admitted that he'd never agreed to such a deal himself, said that Metacritic-related bonuses are common in the industry and aren't really a problem. What really gets him worried is when royalty rates start changing based on Metacritic scores - shouldn't game sales alone determine that?<br /><br /> What do you think of the <i>bit-tech.net</i> scoring system, or the scoring trends of other websites and magazines? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/it-staff-shun-holidays-as-fears-over.html" rel="bookmark" title="IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows">IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6812617327246071240?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-45882383840706763372009-01-22T15:37:00.003-08:002009-01-22T15:38:20.755-08:00Splash Damage boss Paul Wedgwood has spoken out on what he deems a ridiculous arrangement between developers and publishers where pressure is put on developers to achieve certain Metacritic review scores in exchange for bonuses and better royalty agreements. <br /><br /> The <i>Quake Wars</i> developer said that the entire process was flawed and that journalists should abandon percentile scoring systems and instead use 'out of ten' scores. Otherwise, Wedgwood reckons, journalists are under pressure to justify such precise scores, which can lead to overly negative reviews. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> "<i>We know that some websites score quite high and some quite low, but in general, all websites tend to score between 60 and 100. There's never a 37. It's as if that whole section doesn't exist, so zero starts at 60, so three stars, and goes up to five. It's just not really an accurate enough measure,</i>" said Wedgwood in an interview with GI.biz.<br /><br /> As an aside, the man obviously hasn't been reading <i>bit-tech.net</i> lately as we make sure we use the whole scoring range, with even a 5/10 score going up today. We're certainly not afraid tocallbadproductsout. Ho-hum.<br /><br /> "<i>Percentiles put too much pressure on a journalist to justify an exact score. It puts too much pressure on the developer to try and identify these criteria that lead to very specific point increases or decreases, which is not at all what the developer should be focusing on,</i>" said Wedgwood.<br /><br /> Wedgwood, who admitted that he'd never agreed to such a deal himself, said that Metacritic-related bonuses are common in the industry and aren't really a problem. What really gets him worried is when royalty rates start changing based on Metacritic scores - shouldn't game sales alone determine that?<br /><br /> What do you think of the <i>bit-tech.net</i> scoring system, or the scoring trends of other websites and magazines? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/it-staff-shun-holidays-as-fears-over.html" rel="bookmark" title="IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows">IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4588238384070676337?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-16411031826749790662009-01-22T15:37:00.001-08:002009-01-22T15:38:19.850-08:00Splash Damage boss Paul Wedgwood has spoken out on what he deems a ridiculous arrangement between developers and publishers where pressure is put on developers to achieve certain Metacritic review scores in exchange for bonuses and better royalty agreements. <br /><br /> The <i>Quake Wars</i> developer said that the entire process was flawed and that journalists should abandon percentile scoring systems and instead use 'out of ten' scores. Otherwise, Wedgwood reckons, journalists are under pressure to justify such precise scores, which can lead to overly negative reviews. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> "<i>We know that some websites score quite high and some quite low, but in general, all websites tend to score between 60 and 100. There's never a 37. It's as if that whole section doesn't exist, so zero starts at 60, so three stars, and goes up to five. It's just not really an accurate enough measure,</i>" said Wedgwood in an interview with GI.biz.<br /><br /> As an aside, the man obviously hasn't been reading <i>bit-tech.net</i> lately as we make sure we use the whole scoring range, with even a 5/10 score going up today. We're certainly not afraid tocallbadproductsout. Ho-hum.<br /><br /> "<i>Percentiles put too much pressure on a journalist to justify an exact score. It puts too much pressure on the developer to try and identify these criteria that lead to very specific point increases or decreases, which is not at all what the developer should be focusing on,</i>" said Wedgwood.<br /><br /> Wedgwood, who admitted that he'd never agreed to such a deal himself, said that Metacritic-related bonuses are common in the industry and aren't really a problem. What really gets him worried is when royalty rates start changing based on Metacritic scores - shouldn't game sales alone determine that?<br /><br /> What do you think of the <i>bit-tech.net</i> scoring system, or the scoring trends of other websites and magazines? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/it-staff-shun-holidays-as-fears-over.html" rel="bookmark" title="IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows">IT staff shun holidays as fears over job security grows</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1641103182674979066?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-3944283561891582002009-01-21T13:54:00.001-08:002009-01-21T14:44:36.531-08:00EA's CEO John Riccitiello has re-iterated that he is trying to lead the company away from it's reputation of making cheap and cheerful cash-ins and repetitive sports games and more towards innovative, quality titles.<br /><br /> That said, he does admit that the company need to make a profit too - but he doesn't believe there needs to be a distinction between profit and quality. <br /><br /> "<i>Some of my greatest beliefs regarding gaming are that our art form is today - or certainly has the potential - to be recognised as the peer of the best of Hollywood movies. I want to help others see that.</i><a name='more'></a>" said Riccitiello in an interview with the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences.<br /><br /> "<i>I also believe that there is no inherent conflict between great creativity and achieving strong profitability - I believe they go hand in hand. More than trying to work on my legacy, I want to work to prove both of these points are true and see a day when these ideas are seen as common knowledge.</i>"<br /><br /> In the last year or so Riccitiello has tried to lead the publisher away from repetitive sports titles and more towards unique, fresh IPs like <i>Dead Space</i>, <i>Spore</i> and <i>Mirror's Edge</i>. The company has also been moving closer to digital releases over systems like Steam - albeit slowly and currently only in some territories.<br /><br /> What do you think of EA's progress lately? Are they still the evil big brother of the industry, shattering everything with a money-fist, or are they getting better? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/passport-health-plan-expands.html" rel="bookmark" title="Passport Health Plan expands partnership with ikaSystems">Passport Health Plan expands partnership with ikaSystems</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-394428356189158200?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-8027358492308677512009-01-07T13:54:00.001-08:002009-01-07T14:44:23.151-08:00Call us smug, but we always kind of knew that the internet was the way forward for most forms of media and journalism - and that's a fact which is being highlighted by the recent closure and sale of several fairly big games magazines today. <br /><br /> The big news for games fans today is the US magazine partnered with gaming website 1-Up.com, <i>Electronic Games Monthly</i>, has been closed down today. The closure comes after long-running rumours that parent company Ziff Davis Media were looking to sell the 1-Up network were finally proved true. The Hearst Corporation, owners of UGO.com (among others) has bought the entire network. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Hearst's first move has been to streamline the online side of the network and to close the offline branch completely. In laymans terms that means Hearst has fired an awful lot of people from 1-Up.com and begun closing <i>EGM</i> according to Gamasutra. More than 30 staff and journalists are expected to go in the cull. <br /><br /> Thus the January 2009 issue of <i>EGM</i> will be the last one ever, according to leaked staff letter from Ziff Davis executives. So ends almost 20 years of magazine history. <br /><br /> At the same time though, Double Jump Books is also looking to sell off it's own leading games magazine <i>Hardcore Gamer</i>. What's interesting there though is that the sale is taking place on eBay. If you think you can do better than Ziff Davis Media at running a nationally distributed games magazine in the states then you can make a bid for it - the starting bid rests at $42,000.<br /><br /> Going to have a punt at <i>Hardcore Gamer</i> or are you busy crying over <i>EGM</i>? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/nokia-siemens-wins-uk-3g-network-deal.html" rel="bookmark" title="Nokia Siemens wins UK 3G network deal">Nokia Siemens wins UK 3G network deal</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/pacnet-expands-us-presence-with-new.html" rel="bookmark" title="Pacnet expands US presence with new PoPs in four cities">Pacnet expands US presence with new PoPs in four cities</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/first-shots-of-new-prince-of-persia.html" rel="bookmark" title="First shots of the new Prince of Persia">First shots of the new Prince of Persia</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/endwar-voices-up.html" rel="bookmark" title="Endwar Voices Up">Endwar Voices Up</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-802735849230867751?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-58703922855494812562008-12-18T13:53:00.003-08:002008-12-18T14:43:15.952-08:00GoodOldGames.com, the online gaming store that specialises in old PC games, has announced that it is giving away two free games for Christmas to all users who have or create an account on the site. <br /><br /> GOG.com has proven a hit with PC gamers, offering classic and hard-to-find PC games in an online store akin to Valve's Steam. Where GOG.com has the edge though is that each game sold is guaranteed to run on all modern OS' thanks to some re-coding and DOS box emulation tweaks. The best thing about it though is that the games are cheap too, fitting into either $9.99 or $5.99 price bands. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Oh, and everything is DRM free and comes with a handful of extras too, such as soundtracks and wallpapers. <br /><br /> To help celebrate Christmas GOG.com is now giving away two free games to anyone who either already has, or who signs up for, a free account on the site.<br /><br /> The two games in question are <i>Beyond a Steel Sky</i> and <i>Lure of The Temptress</i>, both of which have been given up freely by Revolution Software for a few years now. By getting the games through GOG.com however you make sure they'll run on your system no matter what OS you run.<br /><br /> While <i>Lure of the Temptress</i> is a fantasy adventure that tells the story of a peasant who has to save his king from an evil sorceress, <i>Beneath a Steel Sky</i> is a science-fiction game about a dystopian future and comes from the artist behind the <i>Watchmen</i> comics.<br /><br /> Other classic games available at GOG.com include the old <i>Fallout</i> games and <i>Arx Fatalis</i>, so take a look over at the Good Old Games Catalogue and let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/vmware-launches-free-hypervisor.html" rel="bookmark" title="VMware launches free hypervisor">VMware launches free hypervisor</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/vmware-offers-free-scripting-tool.html" rel="bookmark" title="VMware offers free scripting tool">VMware offers free scripting tool</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/preview-of-james-bond-quantum-of-solace.html" rel="bookmark" title="Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace">Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5870392285549481256?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-12034024280064472452008-12-18T13:53:00.001-08:002008-12-18T14:43:14.409-08:00Midway has taken further efforts to reduce costs and minimise losses today with the closure of its Austin studio and the cancellation of all its projects that were projected for a 2010 or 2011 release date, all of which were unannounced.<br /><br /> Midway has announced redundancies across all territories also, losing staff in San Diego, Austin and Chicago according to GamesIndustry.biz. The move sees the total workforce of the company being decimated with more than 25 percent of the publishers total employees being terminated. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> The historic publisher and games developer has been facing hard times as of late, with rising losses and spiralling debts leading to a possible de-listing from the New York Stock Exchange. The publisher is currently in danger of defaulting on debts of around £150 million GBP.<br /><br /> Shareholders have been desperately trying to distance themselves from the company too, with majority shareholder Sumner Redstone selling his controlling stake for just $100,000 USD - a move which caused the share prices to drop another 40 percent.<br /><br /> "<i>The cost-reduction measures are vital for us to rationalise our operations and provide the resources necessary for our core properties to succeed</i>," commented Matt Booty, president and CEO of Midway.<br /><br /> "<i>These initiatives, along with the other steps we have taken this year, are a response to the specific challenges we are facing at Midway, many of which have been amplified by the current economic conditions</i>."<br /><br /> Midway seems to have been pinning all its hopes on its latest title, <i>Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe</i>, but reception to the beat-em-up has been luke-warm at best. Tell us what you think about the game and the company in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/xerox-subsidiary-acquires-sierra.html" rel="bookmark" title="Xerox subsidiary acquires Sierra">Xerox subsidiary acquires Sierra</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1203402428006447245?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-54880446808442828052008-12-12T13:53:00.001-08:002008-12-13T13:42:51.424-08:00Electronic Arts and 2K Games have both announced that they will license Nvidia PhysX technology across all of their worldwide studios.<br /><br /> This follows on from Nvidia and EA’s joint announcement earlier this month regarding the PC version of <i>Mirror’s Edge</i>, which is claimed to be the first game to truly exploit PhysX technology.<br /><br /> "<i>PhysX is a great physics solution for the most popular platforms, and we're happy to make it available for EA’s development teams worldwide. Gameplay remains our number one goal, with character, vehicle and environmental interactivity a critical part of the gameplay experience for our titles, and we look forward to partnering with NVIDIA to reach this goal,</i><a name='more'></a>" said Tim Wilson, Chief Technology Officer of EA’s Redwood Shores Studio.<br /><br /> Jacob Hawley, technology director for 2K said: "<i>We are very impressed with the quality of the PhysX engine and we licensed it so our studios can use this solution early in development. Developing games with an interactive story and immersive gameplay remains our number one priority, and aligning with technology leaders like NVIDIA allows our teams to concentrate on making great games.</i>"<br /><br /> This is a move that will undoubtedly hit AMD’s plans to accelerate Havok Physics on the GPU and it appears to make PhysX more than just a checkbox feature – with many studios potentially using the technology, it could now have a huge impact on the differences in gameplay experience between Nvidia and ATI graphics cards. We have contacted AMD for a comment but haven’t heard back from the company at the time of publication.<br /><br /> We’ll bring you more later.<br /><br /> What do you think of this announcement? Discuss in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/nvidia-q1-profit-rises.html" rel="bookmark" title="Nvidia Q1 profit rises">Nvidia Q1 profit rises</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/sid-meiers-civilization-revolution.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sid Meier’s Civilization: Revolution">Sid Meier’s Civilization: Revolution</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5488044680844282805?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-5370750655494667232008-12-11T13:53:00.009-08:002008-12-11T14:43:14.989-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/reports-claim-fcc-head-has-anticable-bias-0.jpg" alt="Reports claim FCC head has anti-cable bias" title="Reports claim FCC head has anti-cable bias" /" alt="Reports claim FCC head has anti-cable bias" title="Reports claim FCC head has anti-cable bias" />A new US House Committee on Energy and Commerce report (PDF) published today accuses current FCC chairman Kevin Martin of unfairly biasing policy against the cable industry. The government body head is specifically accused of overriding others' views and is said to have reversed a finding that exempted cable providers from offering à la carte rules as well as attempting to force through a report that would have accused the cable industry of greater than 70 percent control of the market, allowing Martin and the FCC to regulate the field. <p><a name='more'></a>The official is also blamed for allowing through a large increase to video relay fees for the deaf as well as of using his position to force reassignments and vet new hires based on employees' agreements with his personal beliefs. Such oversight has created a "climate of fear" at the FCC where some staffers are afraid to speak out, the report says.<br /><br /> An official FCC response defends Martin and claims that nothing illegal was discovered as part of the findings. It also reinterprets the video relay fee hike as a benefit to the deaf and says that messages from the deaf were "appalled" that a rate cut was possible and would allegedly stifle service.<br /><br /> Martin has been well known for advocating open access rules in telecommunications, including conditions placed on the 700MHz and white space wireless auctions this year, but has also been accused outside of the report of unfairly favoring traditional phone companies. Rumors had the chairman accepting Verizon lobbying while the carrier tried to block open access rules for the 700MHz space, though Martin later agreed to the terms citing the need for competition. [viaArs Technica]</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/time-warner-cable-appoints-new-senior.html" rel="bookmark" title="Time Warner Cable appoints new senior vice president">Time Warner Cable appoints new senior vice president</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/legendary-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Legendary Preview">Legendary Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-537075065549466723?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-42455712120740292222008-12-11T13:53:00.007-08:002008-12-11T14:43:13.942-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/arm-sony-ericsson-more-join-open-handset-alliance-0.jpg" alt="ARM, Sony Ericsson, more join Open Handset Alliance" title="ARM, Sony Ericsson, more join Open Handset Alliance" /" alt="ARM, Sony Ericsson, more join Open Handset Alliance" title="ARM, Sony Ericsson, more join Open Handset Alliance" />The Open Handset Alliance today said it has added 14 new members to its group in a move that will bolster support for Google's new Android operating system. The new roster includes phone manufacturers such as ASUS, Sony Ericsson and Toshiba as well as prominent chipmakers like ARM and Atheros as well as carriers Softbank and Vodafone. GPS device maker Garmin is also included in the list. <p><a name='more'></a>Every member is expected to support Android and the concept of open phone platforms in at least some capacity, including supporting the launch of Android devices, writing code to add to Android, or developing hardware based on Android itself.<br /><br /> The expansion puts most major phone manufacturers on Google's side following previous additions that involve HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung. All of these either are or are planning to make phones based on Android in the near future. Sony Ericsson in particular has made plans to drop its Symbian-based UIQ platform in favor of Android for some phones by late 2009.<br /><br /> With the move as well as multiple Android phones now scheduled for 2009, Google's software will be one of the larger contenders for mobile market share. World sales are currently dominated by Symbian, courtesy of Nokia, but have also seen Symbian decrease in influence after the launch of the iPhone and heated competition from other smartphone-focused platforms like the BlackBerry OS.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/ericsson-appoints-senior-vp-and-head-of.html" rel="bookmark" title="Ericsson appoints senior VP and head of business unit networks">Ericsson appoints senior VP and head of business unit networks</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/limo-foundation-expands-membership.html" rel="bookmark" title="LiMo Foundation expands membership">LiMo Foundation expands membership</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4245571212074029222?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-44513564450105657002008-12-11T13:53:00.005-08:002008-12-11T14:43:12.856-08:00Top seed Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) has won his first round match of the 2008 Orange Bowl to claim the year-end number one ranking spot after a gripping three set match against unseeded American Matthew Kandath. Yang made heavy work of his first round match, winning the first set in a closely fought tie-break before losing the second and then finding form in the third set to see off Kathman 76 46 62. This first round win now sees him secure his position as World Number one at the end of the year. <br/><a name='more'></a><br/>The upset of the day saw fourteenth seed Shuichi Sekiguchi of Japan fall to unseeded American and wildcard entrant Ryan Noble in three sets. Other seeds to have played include ninth seed Ryan Lipman (USA) and fourth seed Cedrik-Marcel Stebe (GER) who both took three sets to overcome their opponents, whilst both eighth seed, Borut Puc (SLO), and seventh seed, Nikolaus Moser (AUT), enjoyed straight set victories to advance to the second round. <br/><br/><br/>Ana Bogdan (ROU) began her quest to finish the year as world number one. Bogdan made light work of her opponent Magda Linette (POL), dispatching of her in straight sets to set up a second round match against Sachia Vickery (USA). <br/><br/>The girls’ event saw two seeds fall. Tenth seed Valeria Solovieva (RUS) lost in straight sets to American Julia Boserup, and seventh seed Richel Hogenkamp (NED) was defeated in three sets by Alison Riske (USA), a quarter-finalist at last year’s Orange Bowl. <br/><br/>Seeded players Yana Buchina (RUS), Silvia Njiric (CRO) and Zsofia Susanyi (HUN) all enjoyed straight set victories over their opponents to advance to the second round. However it was far from plain sailing for third and fifth seeds Mallory Burdette (USA) and Kristina Mladenovic (FRA) who took three sets to overcome their opponents both looking at one stage as if they might crash out in the first round. <br/><br/>The other seeds, including second seed Laura Robson, will take to the courts tomorrow as the girls' race for the number one spot continues. <br/> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4451356445010565700?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-90494277958213234572008-12-11T13:53:00.003-08:002008-12-11T13:53:12.976-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/directv-announces-end-of-hdpc-hd-tuner-project-0.jpg" alt="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" title="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" /" alt="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" title="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" />A DirecTV spokesperson recently announced the company has discontinued any and all development work on the HDPC-20 tuner that promised to link DirecTV's high-definition content with Windows Media Center. The HDPC-20 was first introduced at CES in 2006, or nearly three years ago. The decision to end the project was reportedly made after DirecTV missed the August 2008 update for Windows Media Center software and timing of the next release. <p><a name='more'></a>Putting an end to any future doubt about the project's existence regarding a release in Windows 7, the spokesperson said the driver listed in the pre-beta version of Windows 7 for the HDPC-20 tuner was placed before the decision was made to pull the plug on the project.<br /><br /> The spokesperson says DirecTV will look for other ways to integrate the company's services with Windows-based PCs in the future, and promises it will announce any concrete plans or products when appropriate. [viaGearlog]<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/directv-announces-end-of-hdpc-hd-tuner-project-1.jpg" alt="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" title="DirecTV announces end of HDPC-20 HD tuner project" /><br /><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-9049427795821323457?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-8252836468877262232008-12-11T13:53:00.001-08:002008-12-11T14:42:51.719-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/geforce-m-coming-to-intel-atom-soon-0.jpg" alt="GeForce 9400M coming to Intel Atom soon?" title="GeForce 9400M coming to Intel Atom soon?" /" alt="GeForce 9400M coming to Intel Atom soon?" title="GeForce 9400M coming to Intel Atom soon?" />NVIDIA is in the process of porting the technology behind the GeForce 9400M to mainboards meant for Intel's Atom processors, alleged sources from PC builders claim. The MCP79 chipset, which sits at the heart of both the 9400M in newer MacBooks and the lower-powered 9300M, is said to be in conversion for the mini PC platform with the aim of improving graphics over Intel's existing but relatively limited GMA video. NVIDIA would first focus on hardware for nettops but would potentially expand to netbooks later on. <p><a name='more'></a>It's unclear which companies specifically plan to use the future hardware and when, though ASUS, GigaByte and MSI have all reportedly expressed interest. Of the three, ASUS is the most heavily invested in nettops and produces both the stand-alone Eee Box and the all-in-one Eee Top in the category.<br /><br /> If accurate, the claim would mark a partial contradiction by NVIDIA, which said it would hold off on netbooks and accordingly downplayed beliefs that it would get involved with Atom hardware. The company publicly states that the field is young but has also criticized Intel for slower graphics performance that puts gaming and HD video out of reach of these smaller systems.<br /><br /> Although one of the biggest backers of MCP79 and rumored as interested in netbooks, Apple has been at least as cautious and has labeled the netbook field a young market that may not necessarily last and which may need to mature.</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/micro-star-distributes-notebooks-with.html" rel="bookmark" title="Micro-Star distributes notebooks with pre-loaded SUSE Linux Enterprise">Micro-Star distributes notebooks with pre-loaded SUSE Linux Enterprise</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-825283646887726223?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-59210510023248808002008-12-10T18:12:00.005-08:002008-12-11T13:43:05.092-08:00UK-based Aquamarine Power has announced that it has made a significant investment in Ocean Flow Energy to secure a new technology to produce energy from deep water tidal resources.</P><P>The investment complements Aquamarine Power’s existing technologies and will further strengthen its position in the marine renewable energy sector. </P><P>Aquamarine Power already boasts a diverse portfolio of marine energy converters. </P><P>Oyster, its hydro-electric wave power device, is due for installation at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) next year, while its tidal stream energy converter Neptune is currently the world’s largest under development at 2.4MW. </P><a name='more'></a><P>The Neptune power conversion nacelles will be demonstrated on a pile-mounted structure at 30m water depth.</P><P>The Ocean Flow Energy device - currently known as Evopod - is a moored, semi-submersible structure designed to generate electricity in exposed, deep water sites. </P><P>The device’s patented low-motion hull is innovative in that it makes it suitable for operation in harsh environments such as the Pentland Firth.</P><P>Ultimately, this unique structure could be used to mount Aquamarine Power’s Neptune nacelles - opening up the whole of the UK’s tidal stream resource for exploitation using Aquamarine Power’s technologies. </P><P>Ocean Flow Energy has successfully partnered with the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) and the award-winning wave and tidal power research group at Queen’s University Belfast.</P><P>Both parties have played a pivotal role, supporting Ocean Flow Energy with the deployment of a 1/10th scale prototype at Portaferry, Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland.</P><P><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/tidal-technology-0.jpg" alt="Tidal technology" title="Tidal technology" /></p></P><P>Martin McAdam,chief executive officerof Aquamarine Power, said: 'With more than 50 per cent of the UK’s tidal resource located in waters greater than 40m deep, the market demand for Evopod is expected to be very strong and Aquamarine Power will be taking full advantage of that.'</P> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/wave-power-surges-forward.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wave power surges forward">Wave power surges forward</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/vector-signs-advanced-metering-services.html" rel="bookmark" title="Vector signs advanced metering services agreement with Genesis Energy">Vector signs advanced metering services agreement with Genesis Energy</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-wolfenstein.html" rel="bookmark" title="A New Wolfenstein">A New Wolfenstein</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5921051002324880800?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-3119543314806672002008-12-10T18:12:00.003-08:002008-12-11T13:43:03.003-08:00UK-based Aquamarine Power has announced that it has made a significant investment in Ocean Flow Energy to secure a new technology to produce energy from deep water tidal resources.</P><P>The investment complements Aquamarine Power’s existing technologies and will further strengthen its position in the marine renewable energy sector. </P><P>Aquamarine Power already boasts a diverse portfolio of marine energy converters. </P><P>Oyster, its hydro-electric wave power device, is due for installation at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) next year, while its tidal stream energy converter Neptune is currently the world’s largest under development at 2.4MW. </P><a name='more'></a><P>The Neptune power conversion nacelles will be demonstrated on a pile-mounted structure at 30m water depth.</P><P>The Ocean Flow Energy device - currently known as Evopod - is a moored, semi-submersible structure designed to generate electricity in exposed, deep water sites. </P><P>The device’s patented low-motion hull is innovative in that it makes it suitable for operation in harsh environments such as the Pentland Firth.</P><P>Ultimately, this unique structure could be used to mount Aquamarine Power’s Neptune nacelles - opening up the whole of the UK’s tidal stream resource for exploitation using Aquamarine Power’s technologies. </P><P>Ocean Flow Energy has successfully partnered with the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) and the award-winning wave and tidal power research group at Queen’s University Belfast.</P><P>Both parties have played a pivotal role, supporting Ocean Flow Energy with the deployment of a 1/10th scale prototype at Portaferry, Strangford Narrows, Northern Ireland.</P><P><p><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/tidal-technology-0.jpg" alt="Tidal technology" title="Tidal technology" /></p></P><P>Martin McAdam,chief executive officerof Aquamarine Power, said: 'With more than 50 per cent of the UK’s tidal resource located in waters greater than 40m deep, the market demand for Evopod is expected to be very strong and Aquamarine Power will be taking full advantage of that.'</P> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/wave-power-surges-forward.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wave power surges forward">Wave power surges forward</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/new-wolfenstein.html" rel="bookmark" title="A New Wolfenstein">A New Wolfenstein</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-311954331480667200?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-42535663087500336442008-12-10T18:12:00.001-08:002008-12-11T13:43:00.850-08:00TorrentFreak has posted a list (via Kotaku) of the top ten games which were copied and shared over BiTorrent alone this year and if you're one of those piracy-deniers who thinks the number of pirates can't be all that big then the figures below make for some interesting reading. <br /><br /> Interestingly, the number one torrent title of this year is <i>Spore</i> - a game which drew much criticism for having invasive DRM and copy-protection systems. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /><i>Spore</i> isn't the only Electronic Arts game to make the top ten either - <i>The Sims 2</i>, <i>Crysis</i> and <i>Command and Conquer 3: Red Alert</i> have ensured that only one game in the top five is not published by EA. <br /><br />1.<i>Spore</i>(1,700,000, released Sept. 2008)<br />2.<i>The Sims 2</i> (1,150,000, Sept. 2004)<br />3.<i>Assassins Creed</i> (1,070,000, Nov. 2007)<br />4.<i>Crysis</i>(940,000, Nov. 2007)<br />5. <i>Command & Conquer 3</i> (860,000, March 2007)<br />6.<i>Call of Duty 4</i> (830,000, Nov. 2007)<br />7.<i>Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas</i> (740,000, June 2005)<br />8. <i>Fallout 3</i>(645,000, Oct. 2008)<br />9. <i>Far Cry 2</i> (585,000, Oct. 2008)<br />10. <i>Pro Evolution Soccer 2009</i> (470,000, Oct. 2008)<br /><br /> TorrentFreak is again taking these results only from BitTorrent and claims that it's trimmed out all the malicious and bot-generated results to come up with an accurate figure. <br /><br /> Is there any way to tackle game piracy on the PC? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/three-to-pre-install-mobile-phones-with.html" rel="bookmark" title="Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service">Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/preview-of-james-bond-quantum-of-solace.html" rel="bookmark" title="Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace">Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4253566308750033644?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-68953684630160214192008-11-27T13:52:00.003-08:002008-11-27T14:42:13.388-08:00According to <i>Weapon of Choice</i> developer Nathan Fouts the vast majority of games on Xbox Live Arcade are underpriced and should be dramatically more expensive. <br /><br /> "<i>I want to go on the record and say I feel like most downloadable games are under-priced,</i>" the indie developer told MTV. <br /><br /> Fouts, who had worked on <i>Resistance: Fall of Man</i> before turning independent, said that the pricing structure was controlled solely by Microsoft and that the situation was ridiculous. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> "<i>Microsoft does not allow for user-defined price points like 799 Points or even 100-Point increments like 500, 600, 700, etc. For a bigger game like Weapon of Choice, only having two options, one of which is double the first option, makes the decision difficult,</i>" he explained.<br /><br /> Fouts isn't the first developer to moan about Microsoft's pricing either. Jonathan Blow, developer of <i>Braid</i>, also claimed he was frustrated with the price points too and said the only reason he priced his game at 1200 MS points was to keep Microsoft happy. Blow claimed he would have much preferred a lower price. <br /><br /> Fouts' <i>Weapon of Choice</i> launched as an XBLA title recently - have you had a chance to play it? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/exludus-launches-simpligrid-software.html" rel="bookmark" title="eXludus launches SimpliGrid software for life sciences applications">eXludus launches SimpliGrid software for life sciences applications</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/pacnet-expands-us-presence-with-new.html" rel="bookmark" title="Pacnet expands US presence with new PoPs in four cities">Pacnet expands US presence with new PoPs in four cities</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/preview-of-james-bond-quantum-of-solace.html" rel="bookmark" title="Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace">Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6895368463016021419?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-72726459673577703832008-11-27T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-27T14:42:12.344-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/commodore-lands-mlbskinned-gaming-pcs-0.jpg" alt="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" title="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" /" alt="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" title="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" />Commodore today seized on the holidays to launch a new set of MLB custom skins for its gaming PCs. The initial lineup lets buyers of any of the company's existing systems choose a theme based on the Boston Red Sox, New York's Mets and Yankees, or the Philadelphia Phillies that covers nearly the entire outer surface of the mid-tower case. The company's assembly process applies the artwork directly to the case and so is more scratch-resistant and permanent than a sticker or vinyl cover. <p><a name='more'></a>The MLB skins should be bolstered by images from additional teams in coming weeks and should ultimately include the entire league. Pricing rests at $210 to apply the artwork separately or $275 with the artwork applied to one of Commodore's cases. A complete system starts at $1,129 with a 3.16GHz Core 2 Duo, 2GB of memory, a GeForce 9500 GT and a 250GB hard drive but needs $130 to add the MLB graphics. [viaEngadget]<br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/commodore-lands-mlbskinned-gaming-pcs-1.jpg" alt="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" title="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" /" alt="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" title="Commodore lands MLB-skinned gaming PCs" /></p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ea-to-bring-spore-game-content-to-at.html" rel="bookmark" title="EA to bring Spore game content to AT&#038;T customers">EA to bring Spore game content to AT&#038;T customers</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7272645967357770383?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-26746097438582427582008-11-26T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-26T14:42:30.467-08:00Granted, this bit of rather shocking news only caught our attention thanks to Forbes magazine making a mistake, but it's still worth reporting that apparently only 20 percent of games ever turn a significant profit. <br /><br /> The information, which is based on data gathered by the Electronic Entertainment Design and Research analyst firm (EEDAR, originally showed that only <i>4</i> percent of games ever make a profit but EEDAR has now issued a correction to those figures. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> According to the correction as posted on Kotaku the research actually shows that a full 20 percent of released games are able to turn a significant profit. The confusion stems from the fact that only 4 percent of all games <i>that enter into production</i> ever make a profit; but most games that begin production are never released. <br /><br /> According to EEDAR, a major problem for game developers and publishers is that often more than 60 percent of a games allotted budget will be spent on redesigning fundamental aspects of a game. <br /><br /> It has to be said of course that 20 percent would still seem to be a shockingly low figure, but given the amount of awful games out there and the endless Wii cash-ins that flood the market we'd say that only 20 percent of games ever really <i>deserve</i> to make a profit. <br /><br /> What were the last five games you bought? Were they worth the cost? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/spss-q1-profit-rises-21.html" rel="bookmark" title="SPSS Q1 profit rises 21%">SPSS Q1 profit rises 21%</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/qatar-telecom-q1-revenues-up-144.html" rel="bookmark" title="Qatar Telecom Q1 revenues up 144%">Qatar Telecom Q1 revenues up 144%</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-week-in-ff-famitsu-scans.html" rel="bookmark" title="This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..">This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2674609743858242758?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-22395897688393442072008-11-25T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-25T14:42:07.305-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/marantz-japan-intros-bluetooth-ipod-dock-0.jpg" alt="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" title="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" /" alt="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" title="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" />Marantz Japan on Friday has introduced a new wireless dock for the iPod and iPod Touch personal audio and multimedia players. The system is composed of a receiver and multiple docks that will also charge the Apple devices and supports Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR A2DP and Bluetooth AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile). The system will allow users to play the content of their iPods via their home theater systems and control them via their home theater remote. <p><a name='more'></a>Supported models include 4th-generation iPods and 1st- and 2nd-generation iPod Touch devices but exclude the iPhone 3G. Users can connect the receiver hub to their systems with a choice of component, S-video and composite video terminals, as well as analog audio terminals. The receiver also has an Ethernet port for connecting to networks. The set-up is capable of receiving signals from as far as 33 feet away. <br /><br /> The Marantz wireless iPod dock will be available in Japan in January, priced at the equivalent of about $280. [viaImpress] <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/marantz-japan-intros-bluetooth-ipod-dock-1.jpg" alt="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" title="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" /><br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/marantz-japan-intros-bluetooth-ipod-dock-2.jpg" alt="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" title="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" /><br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/marantz-japan-intros-bluetooth-ipod-dock-3.jpg" alt="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" title="Marantz Japan intros Bluetooth iPod dock" /><br /><br /></p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/celleden-bluetooth-speakerphone-hits-uk.html" rel="bookmark" title="Celleden&#8217;s Bluetooth speakerphone hits the UK">Celleden&#8217;s Bluetooth speakerphone hits the UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/police-crime-prevention-messages-to-go.html" rel="bookmark" title="Police&#8217;s crime prevention messages to go mobile at Download festival">Police&#8217;s crime prevention messages to go mobile at Download festival</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2239589768839344207?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-38647580849882047032008-11-24T16:26:00.003-08:002008-11-24T16:26:25.753-08:00In a report released by the ELSPA, the company claims that the BBFC downgraded 22 adult titles that were given an 18 rating by PEGI. This follows recent criticism targetted at the BBFC for being too harsh with games ratings.<br /><br /> "<i>The BBFC's downgrading of games opens up the potential of unnecessary risk for UK children and teenagers when playing games against other non-UK players online,</i>" ELSPA said.<br /><br /> "<i>Last year, of the 50 games that PEGI rated 18+ and passed to the BBFC for classificiation, the film rating board downgraded 22 of them - almost 50 percent.</i><a name='more'></a>"<br /><br /> Not surprisingly, BBFC spokesperspon David Cooke was quick to dismiss ELSPA's criticism and pointed out that it takes cultural factors into account - something that PEGI's Europe-wide ratings scheme cannot do.<br /><br /> Cooke pointed out that BBFC consults the British public "<i>very widely</i>" when it revises its guidelines.<br /><br /> What do you think to the rival ratings systems - do they adequately protect minors from unsuitable content? Also do you think it's good that BBFC takes British culture into account or should there be a ratings system that encompasses all corners of the world? Discuss in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/yahoo-releases-developer-platform.html" rel="bookmark" title="Yahoo releases developer platform">Yahoo releases developer platform</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ibm-and-european-partners-embark-on.html" rel="bookmark" title="IBM and European partners embark on advanced AI software project">IBM and European partners embark on advanced AI software project</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-week-in-ff-famitsu-scans.html" rel="bookmark" title="This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..">This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3864758084988204703?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-20059584541664471182008-11-24T16:26:00.001-08:002008-11-24T16:26:24.099-08:00In a report released by the ELSPA, the company claims that the BBFC downgraded 22 adult titles that were given an 18 rating by PEGI. This follows recent criticism targetted at the BBFC for being too harsh with games ratings.<br /><br /> "<i>The BBFC's downgrading of games opens up the potential of unnecessary risk for UK children and teenagers when playing games against other non-UK players online,</i>" ELSPA said.<br /><br /> "<i>Last year, of the 50 games that PEGI rated 18+ and passed to the BBFC for classificiation, the film rating board downgraded 22 of them - almost 50 percent.</i><a name='more'></a>"<br /><br /> Not surprisingly, BBFC spokesperspon David Cooke was quick to dismiss ELSPA's criticism and pointed out that it takes cultural factors into account - something that PEGI's Europe-wide ratings scheme cannot do.<br /><br /> Cooke pointed out that BBFC consults the British public "<i>very widely</i>" when it revises its guidelines.<br /><br /> What do you think to the rival ratings systems - do they adequately protect minors from unsuitable content? Also do you think it's good that BBFC takes British culture into account or should there be a ratings system that encompasses all corners of the world? Discuss in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/yahoo-releases-developer-platform.html" rel="bookmark" title="Yahoo releases developer platform">Yahoo releases developer platform</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-week-in-ff-famitsu-scans.html" rel="bookmark" title="This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..">This Week in FF Famitsu Scans..</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2005958454166447118?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-72647345429272693542008-11-21T13:52:00.003-08:002008-11-21T14:42:03.311-08:00<p>TechRadar have gone all retro with a list of classic arcade games that were the foundation of the multi-billion dollar videogame industry that we have today.</p><p></p><p>No surprises that iconic monochrome bat and ball game Pong tops the list, but there's a few lesser known cabinets in there too like Atari's simplistically titled Fooball and Amstar Electronics' Phoenix, picked out for being one of the industry's first full-colour coin-ops.</p><a name='more'></a><p>Check out the full list on TechRadar: 14 arcade machines that led to a misspent youth</p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/sigma-aldrich-sings-distribution.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics">Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ils-expands-securewise-platform-into.html" rel="bookmark" title="ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas">ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/lego-batman-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Lego Batman Preview">Lego Batman Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/maw-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Maw Preview">The Maw Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7264734542927269354?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-2754580176098099052008-11-21T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-21T14:42:01.661-08:00<p>TechRadarhave gone all retro with a list of classic arcade games that were the foundation of the multi-billion dollar videogame industry that we have today.</p><p></p><p>No surprises that iconic monochrome bat and ball game Pong tops the list, but there's a few lesser known cabinets in there too like Atari's simplistically titled Fooball and Electronic Art's Phoenix, picked out for being one of the industry's first full-colour coin-ops.</p><p>Check out the full list on TechRadar: 14 arcade machines that led to a misspent youth</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/sigma-aldrich-sings-distribution.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics">Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ils-expands-securewise-platform-into.html" rel="bookmark" title="ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas">ILS expands secureWISE platform into new application areas</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/lego-batman-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Lego Batman Preview">Lego Batman Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-275458017609809905?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-57459068526802422572008-11-19T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-19T14:42:19.330-08:00<img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/zune-adds-like-minded-listener-feature-games-0.jpg" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" />Microsoft this afternoon launched an uncharacteristic mid-cycle Zune software update that adds new features in addition to usual fixes. The 3.1 upgrade now has a significant visual overhaul for the Zune Social feature and should be easier to navigate. It also adds a "like minded listeners" feature that shows users other Zune Social members that tend to play similar music. Three new Zune games, Checkers, Sudoku and Space Battle, will also be loaded on to Zune hardware with its next sync. <p><a name='more'></a>Both the portable players and the software are also said to have received improvements to their performance and reliability, and should also more properly register song play counts and transfer content. Microsoft has yet to post 3.1 to its website but notes that existing Zune app owners can scan for an update today.<br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/zune-adds-like-minded-listener-feature-games-1.jpg" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/zune-adds-like-minded-listener-feature-games-2.jpg" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /><br /><br /><img src="http://tech.mate4date.com/wp-content/uploads/zune-adds-like-minded-listener-feature-games-3.jpg" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /" alt="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" title="Zune 3.1 adds like minded listener feature, games" /></p> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/three-to-pre-install-mobile-phones-with.html" rel="bookmark" title="Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service">Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/protus-enhances-my1voice-virtual-pbx.html" rel="bookmark" title="Protus enhances my1voice virtual PBX phone service">Protus enhances my1voice virtual PBX phone service</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/cooking-mamaworld-kitchen.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cooking Mama:World Kitchen">Cooking Mama:World Kitchen</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5745906852680242257?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-88554332102368045872008-11-17T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-17T14:41:57.983-08:00Research recently published by the Swedish Research Council (and reported by Science Daily via Wired) into the effects of violent video games on teens has found that playing violent games affected subject heart rate variability not only during gameplay (no surprise there) but also when they were sleeping that night. <br /><br /> A group of boys aged between 12 and 15 were asked to play two different games in the evening, one focused on violence, while the other had no violent features. Heart rates were monitored both throughout the gameplay, then during the rest evening and finally while they slept.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> The research, carried out by researchers at a number of Swedish universities, seems to show that effects of gaming don’t just stop when you switch your system off, but have a continued physiological effect without you even being aware of it, although none of the test subjects reported grabbing a few headshots before bed had resulted in a bad night's sleep. <br /><br /> Anyone who’s been playing Left 4 Dead recently will know all about how a violent game can get your heart pumping, but we have to wonder if this study isn’t a little flawed; violent video games usually tend to be more exciting and involving than their more peaceful counterparts, and so are bound to see heart rate rise – it’s the difference between watching a documentary on mould and the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix. <br /><br /> Have you ever lost a night’s sleep after a particularly intense gaming session? What games in particular get your heart beating faster and give you the shakes? Let us know in the forums! <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-introduces-video-clips-service_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Google introduces video clips service for business users">Google introduces video clips service for business users</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/novell-q3-loss-widens_20.html" rel="bookmark" title="Novell Q3 loss widens">Novell Q3 loss widens</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8855433210236804587?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-85913647249944594142008-11-14T13:52:00.001-08:002008-11-14T14:41:58.982-08:00Quietly, ever so quietly, Microsoft has released a revamp of the entire Games for Windows Live service on PC and begun hinting at future expansions and enhancements to the service. <br /><br /> The update, which was rolled out yesterday, does away with the ill-advised and clunky Xbox 360 interface and replaces it with something more suited for mouse and keyboard control. The new interface for the service now pops down out of the top of the screen and include a more streamlined and much faster loading set of menus. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Functionally, most of the service has stayed the same however. The system is still used mainly for tracking achievements, messaging friends and matchmaking for multiplayer games - it just looks a bit better and loads a bit faster. <br /><br /> One section which is being overhauled a but though is the Microsoft Marketplace which, although not released quite yet, will soon come with a standalone application that will offer similar functionality to the Xbox 360 marketplace. The Games for Windows Live marketplace will soon allow players to download demos, trailers and full versions of some games for a price. <br /><br /> Microsoft has also done away with the unsuccessful subscription part of the service too, as they had previously pledged to do. The entire Live service is now free to use on a PC and there is no longer a Gold subscription offer. <br /><br /> Do you use Games for Windows Live to track your progress in games like, say, <i>Fallout 3</i>, or do you not bother? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/j2-global-adds-live-receptionist-option.html" rel="bookmark" title="j2 Global adds Live Receptionist option to Onebox virtual PBX service">j2 Global adds Live Receptionist option to Onebox virtual PBX service</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/maw-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Maw Preview">The Maw Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8591364724994459414?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-78136820451055665582008-11-10T14:52:00.001-08:002008-11-10T14:53:15.055-08:00Dr. Michael Capps, President of Epic Games, has called for developers and publishers to try and find some way to combat the second hand games market which he says is a huge issue for the industry. <br /><br /> Capps also said that piracy was a huge issue for PC games specifically, pointing to <i>Crysis</i> as an example. According to Capps the ratio of pirated to non-pirated versions for <i>Crysis</i> was a staggering 20:1. Capps says that's why Epic has no intention to release <i><a name='more'></a>Gears of War 2</i> on the PC, not ever. <br /><br /> "<i>That's gruesome to a company like ours that's been in the PC market for so long,</i>" he said to GI.biz. "<i>We're trying to fix it, there's a new alliance of companies trying to make PC gaming work again. But if people are playing games without buying them, then the games aren't going to keep coming.</i>"<br /><br /> Right now though, Capps is more concerned with the second hand market, saying that Epic's primary retailer makes the majority of its money from second hand sales despite being a specialist games store. <br /><br /> "<i>We don't make any money when someone rents it, and we don't make any money when someone buys it used - way more than twice as many people played Gears than bought it.</i>"<br /><br /> The solution, says Capps, is a platform like Steam which can feed back to developers sales figures and cash on the same day.<br /><br /> "<i>We're able to respond immediately. That model's so wonderful from a developer perspective, not just making money, but knowing where my customers are and being able to make them happy. With retail, I just don't have that - I get 'Oh Europe came back with this many numbers,' and I get that 60 days after we ship.</i>"<br /><br /> Capps also reckons that DLC is going to play a more important role in the future, but what do you think about that? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/monitise-metavante-and-carphone.html" rel="bookmark" title="Monitise, Metavante and Carphone Warehouse to offer mobile prepay card">Monitise, Metavante and Carphone Warehouse to offer mobile prepay card</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/lord-of-rings-online-mines-of-moria.html" rel="bookmark" title="Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Preview">Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/sid-meiers-civilization-revolution.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sid Meier’s Civilization: Revolution">Sid Meier’s Civilization: Revolution</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7813682045105566558?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-51561077206335753322008-11-05T13:51:00.001-08:002008-11-05T14:41:31.177-08:00<i>Fallout 3</i> is doing pretty well for itself it seems. According to recent sales figures from GfK Chart-Track Bethesda's foray into the post-nuclear genre has sold almost 60 percent faster than the studios last title, <i>Oblivion</i>.<br /><br /> What's more, <i>Fallout 3</i> is currently topping the sales charts on all platforms it was released on and has outsold all of the previous <i>Fallout</i> games combined, including the lack-lustre spin-offs <i><a name='more'></a>Brotherhood of Steel</i> and <i>Fallout Tactics</i>.<br /><br /> According to sales figures around 55 percent of those sales were done on the Xbox 360, 28 percent were done on the PlayStation 3 and only 17 percent on the PC. Looks like Bethesda was right to aim the game at the Xbox 360 then, from a financial point of view anyway.<br /><br /><i>Fallout 3</i> managed to top the All Formats chart too, knocking <i>Fable 2</i>from the top-spot and resisting the rising successes of <i>FIFA '09</i> and <i>Wii Fit</i> despite the fact that <i>Wii Fit</i> was enjoy a week of phenomenal sales, again. <br /><br /><i>Fallout 3</i> casts players as an adventurer in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, searching for their father while staving off super mutants and trying to survive amid the ruins of Washington DC. <br /><br /> You can check out our full <i>Fallout 3</i> review for more information on the game, or just let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/ventelo-selects-callidus-smp-suite.html" rel="bookmark" title="Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite">Ventelo selects Callidus SMP suite</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/rage-ids-new-game.html" rel="bookmark" title="Rage: Id’s New Game">Rage: Id’s New Game</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-5156107720633575332?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-19559270646720618262008-10-31T14:51:00.001-07:002008-10-31T15:41:21.700-07:00You'll have to chalk this news story up under 'matter of mild interest' rather than 'exclusive and amazing news story', but what the hell. According to recent survey figures, around 11 percent of gamers have games that they still haven't opened after six months.<br /><br /> The news comes from Gamasutra, who have reported that according to figures from the NPD sales-tracking group, around 11 percent of gamers have games that they haven't opened after six months.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> The survey was of 562 gamers and a game was counted as unopened if the player still hadn't taken the cellophane off within six months of buying it. <br /><br /> Personally, we tend to play our games as soon as we get them and there's nothing we love more than ripping off that shrink-wrapped plastic and cracking open a brand new DVD jewel case. <br /><br /> So, we have to admit that we're a little bit curious why someone would buy a game and then never even open it. Even if you didn't like the game then you'd have to open it, right?<br /><br /> Do you have a small collection of unopened games on your shelves, or do you like to collect rare and unusual games and keep them in pristine condition? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/blinkx-extends-advertising-platform.html" rel="bookmark" title="Blinkx extends advertising platform contract with ITN">Blinkx extends advertising platform contract with ITN</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/preview-of-james-bond-quantum-of-solace.html" rel="bookmark" title="Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace">Preview of James Bond: Quantum of Solace</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/get-left-4-dead-this-november.html" rel="bookmark" title="Get Left 4 Dead this November">Get Left 4 Dead this November</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1955927064672061826?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-84745808644354312382008-10-25T13:51:00.001-07:002008-10-25T16:31:06.702-07:00Good Old Games, the digital download service for classic PC games has finally reached open beta stage and is ready for business according to the latest announcement. <br /><br /> The Good Old Games service is similar to Valve's Steam platform in many regards in that it allows users to download and play old PC games on modern systems for a fraction of the usual prices. The service, which is backed by Polish developer CD Projekt, has won the adoration of many fans too for being completely free of DRM. Once you buy a game from Good Old Games, you own it forever and it's yours to take responsibility for.<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Plus, all games fit into one of two price bands: $5.99 or $9.99!<br /><br /> Even better, Good Old Games has added yet more publishers to the cause and bulked out the selection of games on offer. While <i>Fallout</i>, <i>MDK</i>, <i>Hostile Waters</i> and <i>Sacrifice</i> are still the most visible games on the site, teaming with Strategy First and Pluto 13 has allowed CD Projekt to add <i>Jagged Alliance</i>, <i>Disciples Gold</i> and <i>Sacred Gold</i> to the list of available games. <br /><br /> "<i>We’re elated to welcome these new companies to the GOG.com catalogue. It’s a great demonstration of their commitment to gamers, and we’re sure that our extremely devoted community will welcome Strategy First with open arms, and will have a great time revisiting the immersive world of Gothic as the Open Beta begins,</i>" said Adam Oldakowski, Managing Director of GOG.com.<br /><br /> "<i>The success of the Early Access Beta showed us that there is huge demand for DRM-free classic PC games, and it helped us to prepare the site for the public launch. We are endlessly grateful to the users for their support and assistance.</i>"<br /><br /> If you want to take a look at the catalogue and maybe download a title or two then we can certainly recommend it. With <i>Fallout 3</i> about ready for release, there's never been a better time to revisit the first games in the series in a DRM-free, Vista-compatible form, so head over to Good Old Games and let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/digitalbridge-launches-wireless.html" rel="bookmark" title="DigitalBridge launches wireless internet service in Idaho Falls">DigitalBridge launches wireless internet service in Idaho Falls</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/three-to-pre-install-mobile-phones-with.html" rel="bookmark" title="Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service">Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/digitalbridge-launches-wireless.html" rel="bookmark" title="DigitalBridge launches wireless internet service in Idaho Falls">DigitalBridge launches wireless internet service in Idaho Falls</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/three-to-pre-install-mobile-phones-with.html" rel="bookmark" title="Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service">Three to pre-install mobile phones with link to Probability gambling service</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8474580864435431238?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-37766284662088937962008-10-20T13:50:00.001-07:002008-10-20T15:37:27.466-07:00Boris Johnson, the semi-hilarious mayor of London, has had a change of opinion and decided that games are a good thing now. <br /><br /> While the much-ridiculed politician who has appeared on shows like <i>Have I Got News For You</i> may have previously said that games are to blame for "<i>ignorance, underachivement</i> " and "<i>poverty</i>", and turning children into "<i>blinking lizards</i>", it seems he's had a change of heart.<br /><br /><a name='more'></a> Boris announced via a press release that he was very pleased and proud to have London host the upcoming Games Festival for a third year and that the festival is a demonstration of the creativity and range of the industry. Johnson later went on to claim that the games industry is an important part of the UK economy and London's creative sector. <br /><br /> "<i>With events across the capital, the festival has something for everyone and illustrates the popularity of this thriving form of entertainment,</i>" he added.<br /><br /> The comments were the exact opposite to remarks he had made a year or two previously when writing for The Telegraph. Boris's article, titled "<i>The writing is on the wall - computer games rot the brain</i>" said that it was time for society to "<i>garotte the GameBoy and paralyse the PlayStation.</i>"<br /><br /> That said, this must be the only slightlystupidthingBorishaseversaid, right?<br /><br /> Are games an important part of society, or just a mindless distraction from real problems? Let us know your thoughts in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/sky-road-opens-new-office-in-london.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sky Road opens new office in London">Sky Road opens new office in London</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3776628466208893796?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-5455444176436268942008-10-18T13:51:00.003-07:002008-10-18T14:47:31.993-07:00<p>Sins of a Solar Empire was one of the best strategy games on the market last year.  It took the strategy and civilization building of Galatic Civilizations and put it into a powerful RTS game.  If you liked the original, then I have some good news.  They&#8217;ve officially announced an expansion pack to be released around November 18th.  It will only cost $10 and add a lot of balancing features to the gameplay.  The main focus is on defensive options.  Minefields and extremely powerful star bases are now available alongside superweapons to lead your fleets and destroy said star bases.  It should really mix up the gameplay and make for a better, more challenging, game.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/sigma-aldrich-sings-distribution.html" rel="bookmark" title="Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics">Sigma-Aldrich sings distribution agreement with Plextronics</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-545544417643626894?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-70921650864071367822008-10-18T13:51:00.001-07:002008-10-18T14:47:29.290-07:00<p>You may or may not know about this new addition to the Prince of Persia series.  Ubisoft released a hands on preview at the Tokyo Game Show to reveal a bit of the play style that the new game will feature.  The biggest change is that it seems to be a return to form.  The controls are simple and seem similar to the fluid controls of Assassin&#8217;s Creed.  There is a button for jumping, another for the sword, and another for his gauntlet.  There&#8217;s a little room for accidents, but it seems to work pretty well so far.  The fighting seems more stylish, but still boring though.  Another interesting focus is an attempt to make the new female lead, Elika, more involved.  The feel is reminiscent of a two-person game.  Elika will develop magical abilities that you can call on later and the early reports seem to show that they&#8217;re really building up her character.  If all goes well, this should be a nice boost for the struggling series.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/centrica-adopts-paisley-grc-software.html" rel="bookmark" title="Centrica adopts Paisley&#8217;s GRC software">Centrica adopts Paisley&#8217;s GRC software</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/first-shots-of-new-prince-of-persia.html" rel="bookmark" title="First shots of the new Prince of Persia">First shots of the new Prince of Persia</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/maw-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="The Maw Preview">The Maw Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7092165086407136782?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-75082428007591388892008-10-13T15:26:00.003-07:002008-10-14T13:41:09.278-07:00In a recent round table discussion between the Church of England and a collection of some of the leading charity groups in the UK, the Church of England came to the surprising conclusion that games can be a force for good in the modern world. <br /><br /> The discussion, which was organised by Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), included the experts from the computer and video games industry as well as those from the Church of England. ELSPA organised the talk to investigate why some groups fear that children can be negatively affected by videogames and to try and dispel the myths that all violent video games are bad. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> As it turned out though, many of those involved in the talk were already well aware of how computer and videogames can be beneficial to children, helping them learn about the function of rules and boundaries as well as giving them shared, meaningful experiences to discuss in larger groups. <br /><br /> Among the speakers at the discussion was Mike Royal, national director of the Lighthouse Group, a charity which educates children who have been expelled from schools. Royal in particular was vocal about what role computer games can have in child development, mentioning how important they can be in helping a child learn what is and is not considered to be ethical. <br /><br /> A lot of discussion was focused too on increasing the dialogue between parents and children, trying to make parents understand which games are suitable for their kids and educating the public on the PEGI age-rating system and how to use it.<br /><br /> ELSPA currently has a full recording of the discussion available, which you can download here. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the forums and tell us what important life-lessons you've learned from computer games. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/pdms-launches-database-for-england-and.html" rel="bookmark" title="PDMS launches database for England and Wales police force">PDMS launches database for England and Wales police force</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/playstation-spot-vid-shows-vids-from.html" rel="bookmark" title="Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713">Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-7508242800759138889?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-64956653637358594742008-10-13T15:26:00.001-07:002008-10-13T15:26:58.200-07:00In a recent round table discussion between the Church of England and a collection of some of the leading charity groups in the UK, the Church of England came to the surprising conclusion that games can be a force for good in the modern world. <br /><br /> The discussion, which was organised by Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), included the experts from the computer and video games industry as well as those from the Church of England. ELSPA organised the talk to investigate why some groups fear that children can be negatively affected by videogames and to try and dispel the myths that all violent video games are bad. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> As it turned out though, many of those involved in the talk were already well aware of how computer and videogames can be beneficial to children, helping them learn about the function of rules and boundaries as well as giving them shared, meaningful experiences to discuss in larger groups. <br /><br /> Among the speakers at the discussion was Mike Royal, national director of the Lighthouse Group, a charity which educates children who have been expelled from schools. Royal in particular was vocal about what role computer games can have in child development, mentioning how important they can be in helping a child learn what is and is not considered to be ethical. <br /><br /> A lot of discussion was focused too on increasing the dialogue between parents and children, trying to make parents understand which games are suitable for their kids and educating the public on the PEGI age-rating system and how to use it.<br /><br /> ELSPA currently has a full recording of the discussion available, which you can download here. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the forums and tell us what important life-lessons you've learned from computer games. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/pdms-launches-database-for-england-and.html" rel="bookmark" title="PDMS launches database for England and Wales police force">PDMS launches database for England and Wales police force</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-introduces-video-clips-service_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Google introduces video clips service for business users">Google introduces video clips service for business users</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/playstation-spot-vid-shows-vids-from.html" rel="bookmark" title="Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713">Playstation Spot Vid shows vids from DK?3713</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6495665363735859474?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-2050984246967703892008-10-12T13:50:00.001-07:002008-10-12T14:43:34.445-07:00Google has announced that it is to start selling games through YouTube soon thanks to a partnership with Amazon.com, as well as MP3s through a deal with Apple's iTunes store. <br /><br /> YouTube, which is owned by Google, is one of the most popular sites on the internet thanks to the plentiful amount of LOLcats, faceplants, sneezing pandas and other truly fantastic videos, but has so far not managed to turn a single penny of profit. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> In an effort to try and get a bit of money out of the video-sharing website then, Google has partnered with Amazon and Apple to put 'Buy it now!' buttons below certain videos. The idea then is that if you were watching a gameplay video of FIFA '09 for the Xbox 360, for example, then you would be able to buy it on the spot if you so chose. <br /><br /> While game videos will be linked to Amazon.com, similar buttons will be available on music videos that will allow the user to buy the song through Apple's iTunes music store. Both Apple and Amazon will be sharing revenue with Google as part of the deal, according to Reuters.<br /><br /> Youtube, which is so popular that around 13 hours of video are uploaded every minute, will continue to explore other ways of generating profit, including on-site advertising. Google paid $1.65 billion USD for the site back in 2006, which is enough to put a dent even in Google's bank account, so getting a few bucks back is a good idea.<br /><br /> What do you think of online advertising and the option to buy games or music directly through YouTube? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/09/google-introduces-video-clips-service_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Google introduces video clips service for business users">Google introduces video clips service for business users</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/madworld-update_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Madworld Update">Madworld Update</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/atlus-officially-bringing-eternal.html" rel="bookmark" title="Atlus Officially Bringing Eternal Poison over to the States">Atlus Officially Bringing Eternal Poison over to the States</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-205098424696770389?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-28896712669076913832008-10-08T13:51:00.001-07:002008-10-08T14:41:09.961-07:00In a move that's sure to annoy many Nintendo fans, the company has just revealed that games for the new DSi will be region locked. While the standard DS games will not be, the DSi cartridge games and those which are to be made available through the DSi's new online functionality will be. <br /><br /> Nintendo announced the new DS a short while ago, revealing that the new model will have two cameras built into it, improved WiFi and online downloads and a new SD card slot. The GameBoy Advance cartridge slot however will be absent. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Nintendo has already disappointed a large portion of the market with the announcement that non-Japanese markets will not be getting the DSi for a while, so the announcement that the platform will be region locked too may be a major blow for importers. While the handheld goes on sale in Japan this November, it won't be coming to Europe until Spring 2009. The US won't get the DS until later in 2009 either. <br /><br /> According to the companies official announcement the DSi platform will be completely region locked in regard to the software made especially for the DSi, though the actual DS firmware is region-free. In other words, regular DS games can be played regardless of region on either the DS or DSi, but the downloadable games and DSi SD card games will be only compatible with the DS. There'll be no option to transfer or port the software. <br /><br /> "<i>The DSi is region locked because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region,</i>" said an official announcement. <br /><br /> "<i>Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent.</i>"<br /><br /> Gutted that you won't be getting the DSi for months, or could you care less? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/cybercom-opens-new-facility-in-sweden.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cybercom opens new facility in Sweden">Cybercom opens new facility in Sweden</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/wii-weakest-console-on-market.html" rel="bookmark" title="Wii the weakest console on the market?">Wii the weakest console on the market?</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/08/squares-dk3713-coverage.html" rel="bookmark" title="Squares DK?3713 Coverage">Squares DK?3713 Coverage</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2889671266907691383?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-63778497878017706722008-10-01T13:51:00.005-07:002008-10-01T14:41:05.909-07:00In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of <i>300</i> and <i>Watchmen</i> teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs. <br /><br /> Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable <i>Boom Blox</i>, as well as two other unannounced titles. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> According to Snyder's deal, he will lead the creative direction of the three games while working with the production team at EA Los Angeles. Snyder will also use his production company, Cruel & Unusual Films, to produce games based on the movies - which means we probably won't be seeing some more casual puzzle games coming out of the partnership. <br /><br /> The move marks the first attempt by Snyder to get involved in videogame development as, although he is currently working on the film adaptation of Alan Moore's <i>Watchmen</i> he is not associated with the episodic series of action games that will tie in to the film. Instead, the <i>Watchmen</i> games will be developed by Deadline Games and published next year by Warner Bros. <br /><br /> The deal is apparently so new and fresh though that Snyder and EA haven't yet even begun to plan out what type of games will be developed, though based on Snyder's track record we're betting it'll be something brutal, stylised and with plenty of political sub-texts and zombies. Yum!<br /><br /> Can game to movie adaptations ever possibly work, or are such ventures always doomed to fail? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/china-tel-appoints-president-and-coo.html" rel="bookmark" title="China Tel appoints president and COO">China Tel appoints president and COO</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/1st-call-of-duty-5-details-released.html" rel="bookmark" title="1st Call of Duty 5 details released">1st Call of Duty 5 details released</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/backbreaker-preview_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Backbreaker Preview">Backbreaker Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6377849787801770672?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-82216616494903380932008-10-01T13:51:00.003-07:002008-10-01T14:41:04.548-07:00In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of <i>300</i> and <i>Watchmen</i> teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs. <br /><br /> Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable <i>Boom Blox</i>, as well as two other unannounced titles. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> According to Snyder's deal, he will lead the creative direction of the three games while working with the production team at EA Los Angeles. Snyder will also use his production company, Cruel & Unusual Films, to produce games based on the movies - which means we probably won't be seeing some more casual puzzle games coming out of the partnership. <br /><br /> The move marks the first attempt by Snyder to get involved in videogame development as, although he is currently working on the film adaptation of Alan Moore's <i>Watchmen</i> he is not associated with the episodic series of action games that will tie in to the film. Instead, the <i>Watchmen</i> games will be developed by Deadline Games and published next year by Warner Bros. <br /><br /> The deal is apparently so new and fresh though that Snyder and EA haven't yet even begun to plan out what type of games will be developed, though based on Snyder's track record we're betting it'll be something brutal, stylised and with plenty of political sub-texts and zombies. Yum!<br /><br /> Can game to movie adaptations ever possibly work, or are such ventures always doomed to fail? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/china-tel-appoints-president-and-coo.html" rel="bookmark" title="China Tel appoints president and COO">China Tel appoints president and COO</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/atos-helps-warburtons-to-use-its-loaf.html" rel="bookmark" title="Atos helps Warburtons to use its loaf">Atos helps Warburtons to use its loaf</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/1st-call-of-duty-5-details-released.html" rel="bookmark" title="1st Call of Duty 5 details released">1st Call of Duty 5 details released</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/backbreaker-preview_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Backbreaker Preview">Backbreaker Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8221661649490338093?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-30225154358710995272008-10-01T13:51:00.001-07:002008-10-01T14:41:03.169-07:00In a move similar to the deal between Steven Spielberg and Electronic Arts, Zack Snyder has announced a three game deal with EA which will see the director of <i>300</i> and <i>Watchmen</i> teaming up to work on three new videogame IPs. <br /><br /> Previously, EA had announced a similar arrangement with Steven Spielberg which has so far resulted in the release of the hugely enjoyable <i>Boom Blox</i>, as well as two other unannounced titles. <br /><a name='more'></a><br /> According to Snyder's deal, he will lead the creative direction of the three games while working with the production team at EA Los Angeles. Snyder will also use his production company, Cruel & Unusual Films, to produce games based on the movies - which means we probably won't be seeing some more casual puzzle games coming out of the partnership. <br /><br /> The move marks the first attempt by Snyder to get involved in videogame development as, although he is currently working on the film adaptation of Alan Moore's <i>Watchmen</i> he is not associated with the episodic series of action games that will tie in to the film. Instead, the <i>Watchmen</i> games will be developed by Deadline Games and published next year by Warner Bros. <br /><br /> The deal is apparently so new and fresh though that Snyder and EA haven't yet even begun to plan out what type of games will be developed, though based on Snyder's track record we're betting it'll be something brutal, stylised and with plenty of political sub-texts and zombies. Yum!<br /><br /> Can game to movie adaptations ever possibly work, or are such ventures always doomed to fail? Let us know what you think in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/china-tel-appoints-president-and-coo.html" rel="bookmark" title="China Tel appoints president and COO">China Tel appoints president and COO</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/1st-call-of-duty-5-details-released.html" rel="bookmark" title="1st Call of Duty 5 details released">1st Call of Duty 5 details released</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/backbreaker-preview_22.html" rel="bookmark" title="Backbreaker Preview">Backbreaker Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3022515435871099527?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-11687172554056992322008-09-26T14:50:00.003-07:002008-09-26T15:22:39.494-07:00Microsoft has confirmed that the PC version of free-roaming violence-em-up <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> will be exclusively available under the Games for Windows brand, meaning that the multiplayer experience will be tied to the Games for Windows online system. <br /><br /> Which wouldn't be so bad of course, but the Games for Windows Live system has drawn flak in the past for being difficult to use and often unreliable - <i>Gears of War PC</i><a name='more'></a> anyone?<br /><br /> The good news though is that the release of <i>GTA IV PC</i> ties in with a wide array of updates for the Games for Windows Live system, including a new marketplace and interface. Still, it's a shame that the exclusive nature of the release means we won't get a release on Steam, or even a standalone one. <br /><br /> "<i>We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multiplayer experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players, </i>" said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games in a public statement. <br /><br /> "<i>The Live service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.</i>"<br /><br /> Microsoft would also like to take the chance to remind you that there are other games on the brand, including <i>Fallout 3</i>, <i>Quantum of Solace</i> and <i>Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II</i>. <br /><br /> If you still haven't checked out our <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> review, we suggest you do before...um...nevermind. Or you can just head to the forums and tell us what you think about <i>GTA IV PC</i> and other interesting acronyms. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/forum-tackles-identity-theft.html" rel="bookmark" title="Forum tackles identity theft">Forum tackles identity theft</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/cube-evolution-implements.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian">Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1168717255405699232?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-43565805110462049552008-09-26T14:50:00.001-07:002008-09-26T15:22:38.458-07:00Microsoft has confirmed that the PC version of free-roaming violence-em-up <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> will be exclusively available under the Games for Windows brand, meaning that the multiplayer experience will be tied to the Games for Windows online system. <br /><br /> Which wouldn't be so bad of course, but the Games for Windows Live system has drawn flak in the past for being difficult to use and often unreliable - <i>Gears of War PC</i><a name='more'></a> anyone?<br /><br /> The good news though is that the release of <i>GTA IV PC</i> ties in with a wide array of updates for the Games for Windows Live system, including a new marketplace and interface. Still, it's a shame that the exclusive nature of the release means we won't get a release on Steam, or even a standalone one. <br /><br /> "<i>We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multiplayer experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players, </i>" said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games in a public statement. <br /><br /> "<i>The Live service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.</i>"<br /><br /> Microsoft would also like to take the chance to remind you that there are other games on the brand, including <i>Fallout 3</i>, <i>Quantum of Solace</i> and <i>Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II</i>. <br /><br /> If you still haven't checked out our <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> review, we suggest you do before...um...nevermind. Or you can just head to the forums and tell us what you think about <i>GTA IV PC</i> and other interesting acronyms. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/forum-tackles-identity-theft.html" rel="bookmark" title="Forum tackles identity theft">Forum tackles identity theft</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/cube-evolution-implements.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian">Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4356580511046204955?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-44415187116863986212008-09-26T13:51:00.019-07:002008-09-26T15:22:37.464-07:00Microsoft has confirmed that the PC version of free-roaming violence-em-up <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> will be exclusively available under the Games for Windows brand, meaning that the multiplayer experience will be tied to the Games for Windows online system. <br /><br /> Which wouldn't be so bad of course, but the Games for Windows Live system has drawn flak in the past for being difficult to use and often unreliable - <i>Gears of War PC</i><a name='more'></a> anyone?<br /><br /> The good news though is that the release of <i>GTA IV PC</i> ties in with a wide array of updates for the Games for Windows Live system, including a new marketplace and interface. Still, it's a shame that the exclusive nature of the release means we won't get a release on Steam, or even a standalone one. <br /><br /> "<i>We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multiplayer experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players, </i>" said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games in a public statement. <br /><br /> "<i>The Live service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.</i>"<br /><br /> Microsoft would also like to take the chance to remind you that there are other games on the brand, including <i>Fallout 3</i>, <i>Quantum of Solace</i> and <i>Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II</i>. <br /><br /> If you still haven't checked out our <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> review, we suggest you do before...um...nevermind. Or you can just head to the forums and tell us what you think about <i>GTA IV PC</i> and other interesting acronyms. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/forum-tackles-identity-theft.html" rel="bookmark" title="Forum tackles identity theft">Forum tackles identity theft</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/cube-evolution-implements.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian">Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4441518711686398621?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-44362004166502824402008-09-26T13:51:00.017-07:002008-09-26T14:50:44.067-07:00The NPD figures are in and the top five best selling console games of 2008 (so far) have been revealed thanks to a new feature at Gamasutra which has based the announcement on figures from the games sales tracking group, NPD. <br /><br /> The results are an interesting mix of predictable, with <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> making an obvious appearance on the PS3 and Xbox 360 list, and surprising.<br /><br /> One thing which does seem interesting though is the growing trend in Wii game sales for games which have a controller attachment to sell very well - as evidenced by four of the top five game in the Wii category. Check out the lists below. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />PlayStation 3<br /><i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br /> Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br />Gran Turismo 5: Prologue</i><br />Xbox 360<i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br /> Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2<br />Army of Two</i><br />Wii<i>Super Smash Bros. Brawl</i><br /><i>Mario Kart </i>(with wheel)<br /><i>Wii Play</i> (with remote)<br /><i>Wii Fit</i> (with balance board)<br /><i>Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock</i>(with guitar)So, the question is then, how many of these games do you own? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/saic-wins-221m-space-and-naval-warfare.html" rel="bookmark" title="SAIC wins $221m Space and Naval Warfare deal">SAIC wins $221m Space and Naval Warfare deal</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4436200416650282440?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-36125564058612629602008-09-26T13:51:00.015-07:002008-09-26T13:51:06.081-07:00The NPD figures are in and the top five best selling console games of 2008 (so far) have been revealed thanks to a new feature at Gamasutra which has based the announcement on figures from the games sales tracking group, NPD. <br /><br /> The results are an interesting mix of predictable, with <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> making an obvious appearance on the PS3 and Xbox 360 list, and surprising.<br /><br /> One thing which does seem interesting though is the growing trend in Wii game sales for games which have a controller attachment to sell very well - as evidenced by four of the top five game in the Wii category. Check out the lists below. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />PlayStation 3<br /><i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br /> Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br />Gran Turismo 5: Prologue</i><br />Xbox 360<i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br /> Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2<br />Army of Two</i><br />Wii<i>Super Smash Bros. Brawl</i><br /><i>Mario Kart </i>(with wheel)<br /><i>Wii Play</i> (with remote)<br /><i>Wii Fit</i> (with balance board)<br /><i>Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock</i>(with guitar)So, the question is then, how many of these games do you own? Let us know in the forums.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-3612556405861262960?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-10169295592876962522008-09-26T13:51:00.013-07:002008-09-26T14:50:41.540-07:00The NPD figures are in and the top five best selling console games of 2008 (so far) have been revealed thanks to a new feature at Gamasutra which has based the announcement on figures from the games sales tracking group, NPD. <br /><br /> The results are an interesting mix of predictable, with <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> making an obvious appearance on the PS3 and Xbox 360 list, and surprising.<br /><br /> One thing which does seem interesting though is the growing trend in Wii game sales for games which have a controller attachment to sell very well - as evidenced by four of the top five game in the Wii category. Check out the lists below. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />PlayStation 3<br /><i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br /> Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br />Gran Turismo 5: Prologue</i><br />Xbox 360<i>Grand Theft Auto IV<br />Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare<br /> Madden NFL '09<br /> Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2<br />Army of Two</i><br />Wii<i>Super Smash Bros. Brawl</i><br /><i>Mario Kart </i>(with wheel)<br /><i>Wii Play</i> (with remote)<br /><i>Wii Fit</i> (with balance board)<br /><i>Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock</i>(with guitar)So, the question is then, how many of these games do you own? Let us know in the forums. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/saic-wins-221m-space-and-naval-warfare.html" rel="bookmark" title="SAIC wins $221m Space and Naval Warfare deal">SAIC wins $221m Space and Naval Warfare deal</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gametrailers-gtaiv-review.html" rel="bookmark" title="Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review">Gametrailer’s GTAIV Review</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-1016929559287696252?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-83926107042241320142008-09-26T13:51:00.011-07:002008-09-26T14:50:40.948-07:00Microsoft has confirmed that the PC version of free-roaming violence-em-up <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> will be exclusively available under the Games for Windows brand, meaning that the multiplayer experience will be tied to the Games for Windows online system. <br /><br /> Which wouldn't be so bad of course, but the Games for Windows Live system has drawn flak in the past for being difficult to use and often unreliable - <i>Gears of War PC</i><a name='more'></a> anyone?<br /><br /> The good news though is that the release of <i>GTA IV PC</i> ties in with a wide array of updates for the Games for Windows Live system, including a new marketplace and interface. Still, it's a shame that the exclusive nature of the release means we won't get a release on Steam, or even a standalone one. <br /><br /> "<i>We’re incredibly proud of the deep, customizable multiplayer experience that Grand Theft Auto IV offers players, </i>" said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games in a public statement. <br /><br /> "<i>The Live service is a natural fit for the platform and we strongly believe it will help in building a strong online community around GTA IV PC.</i>"<br /><br /> Microsoft would also like to take the chance to remind you that there are other games on the brand, including <i>Fallout 3</i>, <i>Quantum of Solace</i> and <i>Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II</i>. <br /><br /> If you still haven't checked out our <i>Grand Theft Auto IV</i> review, we suggest you do before...um...nevermind. Or you can just head to the forums and tell us what you think about <i>GTA IV PC</i> and other interesting acronyms. <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/07/forum-tackles-identity-theft.html" rel="bookmark" title="Forum tackles identity theft">Forum tackles identity theft</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/05/cube-evolution-implements.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian">Cube Evolution implements SourceGuardian</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/grand-theft-auto-chinatown-announced.html" rel="bookmark" title="Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced">Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Announced</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/05/gta4-dominates-everything.html" rel="bookmark" title="GTA4 dominates everything">GTA4 dominates everything</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/07/demigod.html" rel="bookmark" title="Demigod">Demigod</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8392610704224132014?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-47711072991725061732008-09-26T13:51:00.009-07:002008-09-26T14:50:40.165-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4771107299172506173?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-68556237971728029872008-09-26T13:51:00.007-07:002008-09-26T14:50:38.005-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6855623797172802987?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-85223756461254530592008-09-26T13:51:00.005-07:002008-09-26T14:50:35.081-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8522375646125453059?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-89498233316303015362008-09-26T13:51:00.003-07:002008-09-26T14:50:34.414-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8949823331630301536?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-43203182603160847102008-09-26T13:51:00.001-07:002008-09-26T14:50:33.338-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4320318260316084710?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-22823629978340001252008-09-25T14:52:00.019-07:002008-09-26T14:50:32.182-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-2282362997834000125?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-48793383465294780142008-09-25T14:52:00.017-07:002008-09-26T13:40:53.246-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4879338346529478014?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-83666490499695736452008-09-25T14:52:00.015-07:002008-09-26T13:40:52.427-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-8366649049969573645?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-62742159997746344102008-09-25T14:52:00.013-07:002008-09-26T13:40:51.618-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6274215999774634410?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-67253737198024613132008-09-25T14:52:00.011-07:002008-09-26T13:40:50.813-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-6725373719802461313?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-2384869787758672372008-09-25T14:52:00.009-07:002008-09-26T13:40:49.618-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/08/american-bar-association-selects-mozy.html" rel="bookmark" title="American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider">American Bar Association selects Mozy as online backup provider</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_591.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-238486978775867237?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-47129593001241108762008-09-25T14:52:00.007-07:002008-09-26T13:40:48.435-07:00<p>This looks like a surprisingly good release for the city building genre.  Cities XL tries to follow in the footsteps of the Sim City franchise by allowing an in-depth scenario with a solid interface.  They are being a little tight-lipped over the actual controls, but there are plenty of other cool bits to talk about.  The biggest draw is that it offers a huge multiplayer side.  You can choose to stick to single player and build your own city from 500 buildings, or you can go online and become part of the massive world.  You are able to do standard things such as negotiating for limited resources, but you can also jump into a chosen avatar and explore a friend&#8217;s city.  Unfortunately, it isn&#8217;t expected to come out until December 31st of 2009.  Let&#8217;s hope that they make good use of the time.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a href="http://cr-bo-news.blogspot.com/2008/06/mp4-mishake-launched-in-uk_13.html" rel="bookmark" title="Mp4 miShake launched in UK">Mp4 miShake launched in UK</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><li><a href="http://games-news-blog.blogspot.com/2008/09/cities-xl-preview_25.html" rel="bookmark" title="Cities XL Preview">Cities XL Preview</a></li><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4551152364562912123-4712959300124110876?l=games-news-blog.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>James Aricsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10691133259078789655noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4551152364562912123.post-47884383235953255192008-09-25T14:52:00.005-07:002008-09-26T13:40:47.546-07:00<p>This is just a quick mention for Brother&#8217;s in Arms: Hell&#8217;s Highway.  A full four levels of gameplay were shown off at a pre-release demonstration.  With the September 30th release date approaching, it should be reassuring for you to know that everything looks on track.  It&#8217;s basically the same old style with new graphics, bigger battlefields, and better Ai.  The developers are also putting the camera to better use with a more cinematic cut to show off the devastation you&#8217;re causing.  Fans of the series should definitely seek this release out in a few weeks.</p><a name='more'></a> <br /><br /> <li><a 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