Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: Reenactment On Your Mobile Phone

SW: TESBOM is an action/arcade game based around a series of fun and challenging mini-games where the player participates in the key events from the Episode V movie.

Take control of either Luke Skywalker or various Star Wars vehicles such as Snow Speeders or even the Millennium Falcon itself.

Travel through the various worlds of the Star Wars universe; fly through asteroid fields, train with Yoda, or even fight the mighty Imperial Forces on foot.

Key Features:

· Re-enact key scenes from the Empire Strikes Back!
· Jedi Combat/Training Mode featuring Yoda and Luke Skywalker
· Millennium Falcon game mode – Escape from the Star Destroyer through the asteroid field
· Train your force abilities with mini-games featuring the famous scenes with Yoda and Luke in the swamps of Degobah
· Easy control mechanism using contextual action points

Actual Screenshots And Purchase Info:
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The Future Of Cinema And Computer Gaming?

What Would You Do If You Accidently Found Someone Crying Out For Help On A Hidden Website?

Chris Purnell, is writer/director of new Alternate Reality Game entitled Gun Shots By Computer - Part 1. The films where produced in Scotland and feature two rising stars of the Scottish acting world, Shian Denovan (Night Is Day) and Claire Dicarlo.

He says this about GSBC1:

Cinema goers are a dying breed and due to spiraling cost, cinemas will soon be a thing of the past. I believe there has to be a future to film, and I think the Internet will play a major role in that. Already people download movies from the Internet instead of going to the cinema; people would rather see a film for free. I understand that, as I am one of those people. So to reach out to those people you have to make the whole experience of watching a film more interesting for them. You have to give them a reason not to just download it. I believe we have created the format to do that.

Our web based films are set in an Orwellian world in the year 2032 which parallels our own
present. The story begins behind the website, HMV, where one girl gives a direct address to the camera done through the style of video blogs.
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After Waking Up From A Bionic Install, You Need To Be Checked Over

A nice funky bit of flash game which makes you imagine you know what it’s like to test your bionics. Obviously (?) created in conjunction with the new movie The Bionic Woman, starring Michelle Ryan, it makes me remember of when Lee Majors, as The Six Million Dollar Man was the coolest character on TV: his really cool hair, slow-mo fast running, really groovy orange jump suit, the amazing intro tune and even the comic which was around for a while. The Bionic Woman of the 70s was rubbish even at the time. Just a piggy-back series.

The Bionic Man comic included stickers you could peel off and stick to your arms, absolutely fantastic, until you realise they’re pretty permenant, and you realise you don’t have super strength when you’re blubbering like a baby as the hairs on your arms are being pulled out by the roots. Ah, the good old days, eh?

Well, nowerdays, The Six Million Dollar Man is dated, in terms of the technology and even filming effects. His clothes are even worse, they’re laughable. The stories are fluent and would be ok to develop for modern times. Sadly, when I watched it a year or so ago, it just wasn’t what I remembered.

Let’s hope the The Bionic Woman series bring the 70s coolness into the 21st century a bit quicker than stuttering slo-mo effects.

Erm.. oh yeah, the game: found on scifichick.com. Go and play, it’s a fun hand and eye coordination thinking game.

GO BIONIC!

Download Your Fave SciFi Movies Through Your XBOX 360

Xbox 360 is the first and only gaming console to provide HD and standard-definition TV shows and movies straight to your console’s hard drive! Every week, Xbox LIVE releases exciting new TV and film titles like Dreamgirls, Charlotte’s Web, Babel, Friends, all of your favourite
anime shows, and the Chappelle Show!

For more information, please visit:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/marketplace/moviestv

It just so happens that this week and in weeks to come, your favorite sci-fi movies are premiering including all of the Babylon 5 films, and lots of anime TV shows!

It’s simple! Purchase Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or at retail locations and redeem them in the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for your favorite movies and television shows!

This is a customer services public broadcast (AKA press release).

2K Games To Publish The Darkness, A Console Game Based On Renowned Comic Book Franchise

The Darkness Videogame to Feature First-person Action in Gritty,Urban New York Environments and Dark Otherworld

2K Games, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), announced today that it will publish and distribute The Darkness, a premier videogame based on the popular comic book franchise. The Darkness is currently in development for next generation console systems and will be released on 29th June.

Under development by renowned Swedish developer Starbreeze Studios, The Darkness is based on the best-selling comic book series from Top Cow Productions and utilises an internally developed next-generation game engine. The Darkness will feature a distinct blend of dark modern crime drama and supernatural horror with intense first-person non-linear gameplay.

“The Darkness videogame is a dynamic first-person shooter that will allow players to call upon the forces of the evil underworld as they fight in gritty, urban environments armed with an arsenal of guns, demonic creatures and supernatural powers.” said Christoph Hartmann, Managing Director of 2K Games. “The dark and dynamic comic book storyline that fans love will translate well into first-person action.”
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28 Weeks Later: Infected

Play the game of the movie, 28 Weeks Later, the sequel to 28 Days Later. Due out May 11th 2007.

Successfully infect London and you’ll get to see some excluse footage of 28 Weeks Later!

Full instructions are included and the graphics are suprisingly good.

Your own discretion is advisable; the hidden footage probably isn’t suitable for anyone of a nervous disposition.

See all articles about 28 Weeks Later, including interviews with the cast and crew, images and trailers and production notes.

CLICK TO INFECT!

Ideal Present For Your Loved One On Valentine’s Day

Do you struggle to know what to get your other half for St. Valentine’s Day? Well, worry no more.

Forget chocolates, flowers and bath bombs.

What you need is something unique, something which shows how much you care for them, how much you treasure them:

What’s more romantic than a Lost Board Game. Based on the successful hit TV show Lost. It was developed in conjunction with the show producers and will keep you and your loved one(s) entertained with themes taken from the show.

I’ve got no idea what the rules are, and how you’d ‘complete’ the game, but I was suprised to find this on a site called ‘What Women Want’!

I’d play as Sawyer.

Don’t Be erm.. LOST! Check This Place Out! It’s A Game!

LEGO STAR WARS II
KICK SOME BRICK!

Use the force to find and rescue Princess Leia from the Death Star. The battle against the dark side returns to mobile!

With a comical take on the Star Wars Trilogy that revolutionized pop culture forever, LEGO Star Wars II includes even more of the family-friendly LEGO action, puzzles and humour that earned the original LEGO Star Wars such popularity and acclaim.

Features Include:
· Take on the role of your favourite Star Wars character including Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 and battle to find Princess Leia.

· Wield your Lightsaber against battle droids, droid commanders and droidekas.

· Use your mastery of the Force to move LEGO objects and build new pathways as you explore the ship.

· Use the force to move Lego blocks to be used as weapons.

· 18 levels over 4 separate missions.

· Automatically adjusting difficulty levels.

· Featuring classic music from the original films.

To Preview LEGO Star Wars II:
http://wap.thqwireless.com/web/LegoStarWarsIIMicroSite/index.html

To Get LEGO Star Wars 2 For Your Mobile:
text LSW 2 to 88188 (standard text rates apply - UK only).

Click [more] for screenshots and media links.
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On A Lost Planet, Fight For Survival, Hunt For Revenge… Human Existance Hangs In The Balance

Release Date: January 12th 2007

LOST PLANET™: EXTREME CONDITION FOR XBOX 360™

Your memory lies in pieces, like shattered glass… Green Eye… your father… lying dead on the ground. These memories continue to haunt your steps. But now is not the time for quiet contemplation. The Akrid are attacking! It’s time to put it all on the line, avenge your father and save the tattered remnants of humanity. Find Thermal Energy, destroy the Akrid menace. On a lost planet, your destiny will unfold… Extreme conditions of epic proportions await in this Sci-fi Action Shooter.

Set within the ruthless conditions of an ice-veiled planet, humankind struggles for survival as colonization initiatives clash with menacing alien creatures with a gripping single player campaign and numerous multiplayer modes.

In Lost Planet Extreme Conditions, human snow pirates navigate VS (Vital Suits) through unforgiving arctic environments, fighting against the indigenous Akrid creatures for the precious thermal energy they need to survive. For one such pilot named Wayne, death almost seemed imminent until he was fortunately rescued. However, he can only remember a few fragments of his past including the slaying of his father by these enigmatic menaces. Yet under the shroud of ice, a devious plan has been set into motion by the Neo Venus Construction Corporation (NEVEC) that plans to sterilize the world of all Akrid and snow pirates alike. What really happened to Wayne and how will his destiny become intertwined with NEVEC’s plans?

Taking full advantage of Xbox 360’s power, Lost Planet contains an unrivalled level of detail as advanced light sourcing is used to ensure a realistic presentation that enhances every explosion, smoke and particle effect. Enormous world maps unfold as players battle the hostile creatures during blistering weather conditions throughout vast snow fields and deserted cities either on foot or with armed vehicles.

Feature Include:
· Extreme conditions - Battle enemies and the environment. Conserve heat from enemy bodies and keep killing, before your temperature drops.

· Survival tools - Defeat giant Akrid using numerous weapons and “Vital Suits” that can upgrade into fast-moving vehicles and heavy tanks.

· Band together - Beyond the 12 epic single-player missions, take the battle for survival online with unique 16-player multi-player modes.

Official Lost Planet : Extreme Condition Site.

Click [more] for screenshots and media links.
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GET A. HEAD AND DESTROY ALL HUMANS! ®

THQ (UK) announces Anthony Head as lead voice over for Destroy All Humans! 2

Woking, Surrey – 6th September 2006 – THQ (UK) Ltd, a subsidiary of THQ Inc., today announces Anthony Head as lead voice over in the upcoming Destroy All Humans! ® 2 expected to be released in Fall 2006 for Xbox® video and game entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system.

Anthony Head voices Ponsonby, a well coiffed human and head of MI5, who is introduced to help the lead aliens, Crypto and POX, fight against the KGB. However, as the game progresses, Ponsonby is not necessarily who he appears to be. With the unexpected twists and turns, it appears that no human can be trusted. To succeed, players should remember to live by the motto, “Make War Not Love.”
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PC Games Reviewed By Alan Fraser

Galactic Civilisations II: Dread Lords and Dark Age of Camelot – Darkness Rising

This month our postbag has included a multi-player online role playing game and a space conquest strategy game. In my last column I praised the simulation game “The Sims 2”, and that now has a new expansion pack “Open for Business”. This primarily adds the (challenging) resource management required to run a successful small business, but it does have one SFnal element – robots. Instead of hiring Sims to work for you, you can buy a Robot Crafting Station and make several different types of robots to carry out tasks in your business and home. They don’t need to be paid, but the downside is that they can break down with very negative consequences – for example a robot that runs amok can kill Sims. The new expansion pack has been very well received, although some players were hoping that much-loved packs available for the original “The Sims” game, such as holidays (“Vacation”) and pet-keeping (“Unleashed”), would have “Sims 2” versions released first. (The “Pets” expansion pack will in fact be released in Oct 2006).
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Rogue Trooper

A Genetic Infantryman (G.I.), Rogue is one of an elite regiment of biologically-engineered clone troops, created to overcome Nu Earth’s hostile atmosphere and fight, unhindered, against the brutal Nort War machine. After witnessing the betrayal and annihilation of his entire regiment at the Quartz Zone Massacre, Rogue has gone AWOL, determined to hunt down the traitor general who sent his brothers-in-arms to their deaths.

I officially announce there should be a Rogue Trooper Movie. Hollywood take notice. UK Movie Studios take notice.

Prey Interview
31/01/06

Interview courtesy of Totally360.com / News0r.com and waytoblue.com

1) Hi Tim, it was great meeting with you during the European leg of 3D Realms/Human Head Studios press trip; from what the press has seen of Prey so far, what is the overall impression members of the press have walked away with?

Overall the press response we’ve received has been tremendous. Usually press play things pretty close to the vest when showing a game, but every time we demo Prey fro the press, we get lots of responses during and afterwards. During our recent multiplayer demonstrations, there were many instances where we had to pretty much kill the servers to get them to stop playing for the next group, and even then we’d have to intervene in a few cases to get the journalists moving on. That’s pretty high praise and humbling to us.

2) Can you tell us how the whole concept of Prey came about? And is Prey the longest game ever to be in development?

First off, I’ve seen several articles claiming that we’ve been working on the game for ten years, and that’s not really true. 3D Realms had been working on Prey during the late 1990s but shelved it in 1998. When Human Head began production late in 2001 we were working pretty much from a clean slate, so you can’t really say that the game we’re about to release is the same game as was begun a decade ago. Though they share the same name and some of the original features you can’t really say they are the same game or that it was one continuous production.

That said, I think 3D Realms other game, Duke Nukem Forever, is probably the longest game in continuous development in the history of video games, and Prey is probably not far behind.

3) We played the multiplayer aspect of Prey for as much as we could during the European press presentation and we’re blown away with the amount of fun that can be had with Prey’s multiplayer - how did 3D Realms/Human Head Studios define such a unique aspect of LAN/online play?

Our multiplayer was a gamble of sorts. Despite the amount of time we’ve worked on the game, our resources aren’t limitless, so we made the calculated decision to concentrate on DeathMatch as the primary mode of play from multiplayer, but to really do it right by bringing each of the single player features into multiplayer and focus on designing fun environments in which to play them.

I was honestly quite sceptical that even a killer DeathMatch experience would be enough to make our multiplayer catch the eyes of jaded gamers. I was concerned that with all the innovative elements we were concentrating on for single player that the multiplayer would just seem like a tacked on experience. I’m happy to say I was quite wrong in that. By concentrating on playing to the strengths of our single player features in multiplayer we ended up with an experience that really seems to reinvigorate the DeathMatch game. Several of the testers and press who have played told me that it ‘makes DeathMatch fun again’ and one journalist even told me that it reawakened something he hadn’t felt since he played the original Doom multiplayer. That’s high praise to me.
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Prey tells the story of Tommy, a Cherokee garage mechanic stuck on a reservation going nowhere. Along with his people, he is abducted to a menacing mothership orbiting Earth, where he sets out to save himself, his girlfriend, and eventually his planet.

* Enhanced engine: Built on an enhanced DOOM 3® engine, the most impressive 3-D engine used in a game.

* Portal technology: This feature adds a new dimension to gameplay, allowing enemies to appear out of thin air, and creates new and completely original puzzles and gameplay styles.

* Unique style: Features multiplayer game support that takes advantage of unique gameplay styles and elements, such as Spirit Walking, Wall Walking, and Deathwalk.

* Spiritual help: Tommy has a sidekick, a spiritual hawk that can help him fight enemies and decipher the alien language of the living ship.

To whet your appetite, you can view the Prey Trailer through the links below (you can save them locally if you like); then read here for an interview for more information on the game.

You can win a copy of Prey here.

Windows Media:

Low: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_30k.asx
Mid: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_330k.asx
High: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_850k.asx

Real Media:

Low: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_30k.ram
Mid: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_330k.ram
High: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_850k.ram

Quicktime:

Low: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_30k_meta.mov
Mid: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_330k_meta.mov
High: http://www.waytoblue.com/media/video/prey_trailer_850k_meta.mov

Rebellion and Eidos bring us a first class, thinking persons shooter.

Rogue Trooper is drawn from the character of the British Comic 2000AD. Apparently, outside of the UK this is an almost unknown comic, so therefore the game had to come across as an entity on its own. The backstory, luckily, does include some of the ‘history’ of the character; how he and his kind were ambushed at The Quartz Zone Massacre, betrayed by one of their own Generals.

Rogue is a genetically engineered fighting machine (from test tubes), specially designed for the toxic atmosphere of Nu Earth, one of the galaxy’s most deadly war-zones. He is the only survivor of the massacre, goes A.W.O.L and sets out to hunt down the traitor general and bring him to justice. During the massacre, three of his G.I. buddies are killed, and Rogue removes their bio chips and places them in his gear. Bagman is put in his backbag, Gunnar is placed in his Gun and Helm is put in his Helmet. Their consciousness carries on, and as well as cracking bad jokes, they all play a part in helping Rogue on his vendetta.

The game follows the above ‘backstory’ and then progresses to various locations on Nu Earth. A common enemy on the planet’s surface are the Norts, humans who cannot survive on the planet’s surface without oxygen tanks.

Rogue Trooper, when presented in 2000AD was a visual comic book story. This translates very well to the digital screen and as with all aspects of the game, prior knowledge of either 2000AD or Rogue Trooper is not essential to enjoy the game.

The game is a clever third person shooter, and with your three friends still around, they become an integral part of your survival. They do crack jokes and chit chat amongst themselves, which adds to the game, but they also have skills of their own. Gunnar can be placed so as to cover an area which is remote from where you are, Bagman can be given scrap, which is picked up around the gaming area, and convert it into useful ammo or upgrades. Helm can hack terminals, to name just one skill for each friend. There are many more to discover as you make your way through Nu Earth.

One of my favourite parts of the game is with Gunnar: he aids in targetting and allows you to precision shoot the oxygen tanks of the Norts, where by smoke billows out, they run around hearing the hiss, arms in the air, before the tank ruptures and explodes.

The controls are like second nature, easily accessible; the commentary of the bio chips aids in your initial setup and ‘training’ of the various actions within the game. The game could be seen as quite easy to finish, but I found it a pleasure non the less. With the addition of online gaming, the longevity of this game is increased.