Gravity Interactive’s launch of Amatsu for Ragnarok Online marks the first in a series of free expansions to the game based on different cultural settings. Amatsu opens up the world of Japanese folklore and legend for Ragnarok players. Each expansion will include new maps, building designs, clothing and monsters based on actual or mythical elements from major Eastern and Western civilizations. In addition, NPCs will tell players about the history, folklore and traditions of each culture. For instance, in Amatsu, players can wander through fields of cherry blossoms on their way to battle tengu (Japanese mountain and forest goblins). Many … Continue reading Ragnarok Online Expands for Free →

DreamCatcher Games today announced that it is accepting applications for the Public Beta Test of its Combat-RPG, Dungeon Lords. The application process will begin on Monday, September 27th at 17:00 GMT and close at 17:00 GMT on Monday, October 4th. The test will include both single and multiplayer components and entrants may apply for one or both. Testers will be chosen based on applications and ability to play RPGs. The minimum system requirements for the test are a 1ghz proc with 256 RAM and a Geforce 2. The application can be found at http://www.dreamcatchergames.com/dci/forms/betatester/. Dungeon Lords combines the depth of … Continue reading DreamCatcher Opens Dungeon Lords Beta →

Infinium Labs today confirmed the company is moving the launch of its flagship Phantom Game Service to 2005. The decision comes at the request of both its retail and marketing partners, who have told the company they want more time to plan promotional and merchandising activities for the new games-on-demand service. "We were on track to offer the Phantom Game Service later this year," said Kevin Bachus, President of Infinium, "However, we can’t do it alone; we need our strategic partners to help us get the word out. And many of our key marketing and retail partners, as well as … Continue reading Infinium Postpones Console Launch →

Ubisoft is pleased to announce that its popular PC franchise CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, based the hit CBS TV series, will soon make its console debut on the Xbox by Microsoft. A combination of Ubisoft's top selling PC-CD ROM titles, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Dark Motives, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for the Xbox offers twice the content. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation for the Xbox is a first-person adventure game that puts the fate unsolved mysteries into the hands of the console gamer as they examine crime scenes, question witnesses and analyze evidence utilizing the latest in forensic equipment. … Continue reading CSI Coming to Xbox →

Paramount Pictures has reached an agreement to acquire the worldwide film rights to Midway Games’ Fear & Respect," a state-of-the-art videogame based in the intense urban environment of South Central Los Angeles. Currently being developed in collaboration with writer/director John Singleton ("Boyz N the Hood," "Baby Boy," "2 Fast 2 Furious," "Shaft"), the exciting urban/action adventure game is scheduled to be available in the fourth quarter of 2005 for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Christine Peters ("How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days") will be collaborating with the game developer … Continue reading Paramount Gets Fear and Respect Movie Rights →

Winter Wolves Studio, creators of Universal Boxing Manager, announced today that they have released their next sports manager simulation, The Goalkeeper. Create a custom goalkeeper by assigning skills in handling, reflexes, jumping, and charisma. Play a full season in any of the following top 6 European leagues: Italy, Spain, England, France, Germany and The Netherlands! You can play in Arcade Mode if you think you have enough reflexes to use your mouse to catch the ball, otherwise you can relax and play Strategy Mode selecting your save style for each shot. The Goalkeeper is available for both Mac and PC; … Continue reading Winter Wolves Announces Goalkeeper →

The following is a statement from Hal Halpin, President, Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association. The IEMA (Interactive Entertainment Merchants Association), the non-profit trade association which represents the nation’s leading retailers of computer and video games, was disappointed with Governor Schwarzenegger’s decision to sign in to law California Assembly Bill 1793. Thousands of retailers in California are now faced with the inevitability of being of being hit with frivolous lawsuits through the state’s 17200 Unfair Business Practices statute. This law will have a devastating impact on California businesses, particularly small businesses whose livelihood depends on the sale of video games. Inaccuracies and … Continue reading IEMA Criticizes Governor Schwarzenegger →

Nyko Technologies, manufacturer of innovative peripherals for video and computer games, has shipped its upgraded Air Flo controller for the personal computer. The Air Flo EX for PC boasts Nyko's patented Air Flo technology and includes new software that enables unique button programming as well as keyboard and mouse emulation, which allows the new controller to be fully compatible with all game titles, including those that are not game pad compatible. Just like the original, the new and improved PC Air Flo EX ends problematic sweaty hands while playing video games by giving consumers a consistent flow of fresh air … Continue reading Nyko Ships Air Flo EX PC →

Microsoft Game Studios today announced that Fable, the ground-breaking Xbox® roleplaying adventure game, has had an amazing start at retailers across North America in its first week of release, breaking records and selling through more than 375,000 units (grossing roughly $18.7 million U.S.). Fable sets the stage for a spectacular holiday season for Microsoft Game Studios by paving the way for titles such as Halo 2, Blinx 2 and MechAssault 2. Sales records are being broken at retailers throughout North America: the game was EB Games’ biggest first-week sales for any Xbox title ever; it broke Game Rush’s first-day sales … Continue reading Fable Breaking Sales Records →

Ascaron Entertainment announces that Port Royale 2 for the PC is now available at North American Retail outlets. The English, Spanish, French and Dutch rulers weren't the only ones to use the Spanish Main to increase their wealth. 2000 of it's inhabitants; nearly half of Port Royale's population, took part in the officially sanctioned practice of privateering, or worse piracy in an effort to increase their personal wealth or to create an independent republic where they could rule or use as a base to plunder other nations. Port Royale 2 is the sequel to the successful trade simulation game Port … Continue reading Port Royale 2 Ships →