SyncGaming Frontpage News

Tiberium Wars Fact Sheet

Wed, 23 Aug 2006, 18:55:45 -0500

March, 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning to the Third Tiberium War and long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-time Strategy franchise (RTS) of all time.

The critically-acclaimed Command & Conquer™ (C&C) series returns with Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars™ (C&C 3). Setting the standard for the future of RTS gaming once more, C&C 3 takes you back to where it all began—the Tiberium Universe.

In 2047, Tiberium has blanketed the Earth, which is now divided into zones based on the level of Tiberium infestation. Pristine Blue Zones represent 20% of the planet’s surface and are the last refuge of the civilized world. Partially habitable Yellow Zones make up 50% of the planet’s surface; most of the world’s population lives in these war-torn and ecologically ravaged areas. The remaining 30% of the planet is uninhabitable, a Tiberium wasteland swept by violent Ion Storms. Red Zones are like the surface of an Alien planet.

The infamous Kane has returned to lead the Brotherhood of Nod in a massive global assault on the Global Defense Initiative and the few remaining Blue zones left on the planet. Only you can stop him. The fate of humanity – and the planet – is in your hands.

Featuring state-of-the-art, next-generation graphics, an epic story with live action, full-motion video sequences, and the classic fast-paced C&C style of play, C&C 3 sets the standard for the single player RTS experience.

When you decide to test your skills online, a suite of truly innovative features, such as the ability to transform online battles into a spectator sport, unfold.

Welcome back, Commander.
• Fast, Fluid, Fun - The ultra-responsive, smooth-as-silk gameplay C&C invented is now better than ever, intuitively placing your entire arsenal at your fingertips.
• Over 30 Single Player Missions - In a vast open-world ‘theatre of war’ where each decision you make matters, you’ll experience one cohesive, epic story told from the unique perspective of all three warring factions.
• RTS as a Sport - Observe, broadcast, and compete in thrilling online battles with innovations including all-new interactive spectator modes, VoIP communication, player commentary, and more.
• Story Like You’ve Never Seen - High-definition, live action video sequences that seamlessly tie the game’s epic story together featuring an unparalleled, diverse cast.
• Adaptive AI - The game AI matches your style of play - choose from distinct AI playing styles such as ‘rushing’, ‘turtling’, and more, or level the battlefield and let the AI use its own tactics to give you the highest level of challenge.
• New Ways to Attack - Keep your opponent guessing by building flying battleships, wielding the power of terrifying Ion Storms, and combining units to form powerful never-before-seen super-units.
• Technology Makes the World Come Alive - Lose yourself in reflected sunlight and scream in sheer joy as you blow chunks off of enemy tanks, structures, and anything else you can launch a rocket at. The game world gains a new dimension and the battlefield comes to life as the atmosphere fills with smoke, fire, haze, tracers, explosions, and state-of-the-art weather effects.
• Intuitive and Evolved Interface - Fully evolved side-bar interface that allows you to fully manage your base operations while never leaving the action.
• Battle the Best Online - With multiple online game modes, all-new multiplayer maps, and a fully featured content editor, go online to see how you stack up in RTS’ ultimate forum.

Major League Gaming's Orlando Competition Sets Record For Largest Console Gaming Competition Ever

Thu, 17 Aug 2006, 10:12:52 -0500

The August 25–27 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit to Feature 208 Halo 2 Teams and 1,200 Individual Competitors Who Will Battle it Out in Front of Expected Audience of More than 6,000

New York, NY – August 17, 2006 – Major League Gaming (MLG) announced today the Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit competition this month in Orlando will be the largest console video game competition ever, featuring 208 4-person Halo 2 teams, more than 1,000 individual competitors and an audience of more than 6,000.

In addition to the thousands of spectators and competitors watching the action in Orlando, hundreds of thousands more will watch a live stream of the competition at www.mlgpro.com. And starting on November 11th, all the action of the 2006 Pro Circuit will be airing on USA Network to 89 million homes as part of a groundbreaking TV series that looks into the lives of the pro players and takes the audience through the drama of the competitions.

The number of competitors at the Orlando event breaks the previous attendance record set by MLG last month when 1,800 gamers battled it out in MLG’s Chicago Pro Circuit stop.

“It is really exciting to see the kind of growth we’re experiencing, with the number of teams, competitors and spectators more than doubling year-over-year,” said Matthew Bromberg, president and COO of MLG. “And it’s all leading up to our Playoffs at the Digital Life show in the Javits Center in New York in October, and the Finals in Las Vegas where MLG’s $800,000 season comes to a close and the 2006 Champions are named.”

MLG had previously limited the number of four man teams to 176. Orlando is the first competition that MLG opened to more than 200 teams, leading to 208 team registrations in a matter of hours. The 2006 Boost Mobile MLG Pro Circuit, presented by GameStop and Scion, opened on April 21 in New York and continued through to Dallas, Anaheim and Chicago. Remaining competitions include Orlando on August 25-27, and New York (Jacob Javits Center) on October 13-15, all leading up to the Championship in Las Vegas on November 10-12.

Spectators and gamers are welcome to come to the Wyndham Orlando Resort and be part of the action. For more information, including location details, player point system rankings and general competition rules, please visit the MLG Web site at www.mlgpro.com.

About MLG (Major League Gaming)
MLG is the first professional video game league. By raising video game competition to the level of professional sport, the company is creating a sports media business that provides players, developers, publishers, media partners, and advertisers a unique connection to the video game lifestyle enjoyed by 168 million Americans. With the support of major sponsors, MLG operates a pro tour that in 2006 will make 7 stops in major cities across the U.S., exclusively featuring the best gamers in the world. We produce a variety of online and broadcast-quality programming that showcases MLG’s pros and this exciting new sports entertainment phenomenon. More information can be found at www.mlgpro.com.

SEGA PRESENTS MEDIEVAL II: TOTAL WAR, YAKUZA, VIRTUA TENNIS 3, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG AND MANY MORE AT THIS YEARS GAMES CONVENTION

Thu, 17 Aug 2006, 10:07:04 -0500

MUNICH (17th Aug 2006) – With the impetus of a successful E3 behind them, SEGA are appearing for the second time after their return to the German market in Leipzig. The line-up for the 2006 Games Convention will be dominated by AAA titles such as Rome sequel, Medieval II: Total War for PC, Sonic The Hedgehog on the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Virtua Tennis 3 also on Xbox 360, all being playable for the first time in public and joining Yakuza for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system which highlights an already impressive line-up.

These numerous European premieres are united by high-profile titles such as Phantasy Star Universe on PS2, Xbox 360, PC, the MMORPG with an additional single player campaign. Sonic Rivals, Sonic's first appearance on PSP™ portable entertainment system, as well as Charlotte's Web, a powerful film licence which forms the basis for non-violent family entertainment.

SEGA will be showing selected contacts further next generation highlights in the Business Centre. Included are; SEGA Rally, Full Auto 2: Battlelines, Virtua Tennis 3 and Sonic The Hedgehog (all for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system), along with Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz and Sonic and the Secret Rings (both for the Wii™ system from Nintendo).

"The 2006 Games Convention is a perfect stage for our constantly growing line-up of unique games. We will offer countless Total War fans an opportunity to see the quality of the Rome sequel Medieval II for themselves, we will show our most lavish PS2 production Yakuza at our booth, and we will demonstrate Sonic, Virtua Tennis 3 and Charlotte's Web in order to address gamers of all ages. Furthermore, our significantly increased presence in the Business Centre will allow us to present upcoming Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii highlights to trade and press representatives in a relaxed atmosphere," says Anusch Mahadjer, Marketing Director for SEGA Germany.

SEGA's provisional line-up for the 2006 GC summarised:

Medieval II: Total War (PC)
Sonic The Hedgehog (Xbox 360, PS3)*
Sonic and the Secret Rings (Nintendo Wii)*
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz (Nintendo Wii)*
Virtua Tennis 3 (Xbox 360, PS3)*
SEGA Rally (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)*
Yakuza (PS2)
Phantasy Star Universe (PS2, PC, Xbox 360)
Full Auto 2: Battlelines (PS3)*
Charlotte's Web (PC, GBA, Nintendo DS)
Sonic Rivals (PSP)

NCAA Football 07

Mon, 14 Aug 2006, 19:36:51 -0500

NCAA Football 07, Electronic Arts latest college football game, is absolutely stunning and full of little touches that make the game that much more realistic and fun to the play. When anyone looks at this game, the first thing that they are amazed by is the fantastic graphics. The player models are sharp and the stadiums and crowds are simply visually stunning. But then again, the vast majority of the games for the XBOX 360 have amazing graphics.

NCAA Football 2007 allows you to pick up a controller, choose two teams, and play the computer or a friend in its quick game mode. The game also allows you to take a team through the grind of a season or multiple seasons and lead your team to the National Championship in the season and dynasty modes. When playing the game, the first thing you will notice is that unalike previous versions, the player movements and animations in NCAA Football 2007 are just fantastic and incredibly realistic. Players don’t just happen to run through defenders or jump from one side of the field to the other, all movements are precise and extremely accurate. Defenders square up before they lay a punishing tackle, quarterbacks square their shoulders before they make a pass, running backs slow down when they juke.

The only negative aspect in this game was that there are not many new features in this year’s game over last year’s version. I would have really liked to see a first player football mode like ESPN NFL 2K5 had before Madden acquired the exclusive NFL license for video games. The game is great and it will be difficult to improve on the graphics and visuals next year, so I hope the developers at Electronic Arts work on adding a few more options and game modes.

All in all, NCAA Football 07 for the XBOX 360 is a fantastic game and is a must have for any college football fan.

"Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs" Fan Site Kit Set to Colonise Computer Desktops

Fri, 11 Aug 2006, 19:05:15 -0500

11th August, 2006

As the “Age of Empires III” game world seeks to expand to the Americas, Microsoft Game Studios today announced the first of many tools for players to expand their dominion with the “Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs” Fan Site Kit, which is now available for download at the game's official community site (http://www.agecommunity.com/).

The 63 MB download contains all the means necessary to help “Age of Empires III” fans build a fan site in preparation for the release of “Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs” expansion. The kit contains concept art, forum avatars, screenshots, desktop wallpaper, and much more.

Due on store shelves in Autumn 2006, the “Age of Empires III: The Warchiefs” expansion pack will build off of the exciting real-time-strategy gameplay of “Age of Empires III,” providing players with the ability to lead one of three proud Native American civilisations to expand their empire and fight for control of the Americas. The expansion pack will also provide new ways to play and win, introducing new gameplay elements and content including new civilisations, a new single player campaign, Home City enhancements and additional maps and units. Additional content will be added to all existing European civilisations as well.

“Age of Empires III,” which launched in November 2005, is the fastest selling title in the franchise’s history, placing gamers in the position of a European power struggling to explore, colonise and conquer North and South America, roughly during the time period of 1500 to 1850. The game has garnered numerous awards, including GameSpy’s 2005 Top Ten PC Games of the Year and PC Gamer’s RTS Game of the Year. It has sold more than one and a half million copies to date and is currently among the top selling games for Windows titles.

For images and more information about “Age of Empires III,” please visit www.ageofempires3.com and www.agecommunity.com.

EA SCORES THE BIGGEST NAMES IN FOOTBALL FOR FIFA 07

Fri, 11 Aug 2006, 18:57:57 -0500

League Licensing Renewals Allow EA SPORTS to Deliver Complete Authenticity For the World's Top Leagues

CHERTSEY, UK. – August 11, 2006 – Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the match-winning line-up of players who will take to the field as the global stars of FIFA 07. Spanning all outfield positions, FIFA 07 will showcase seven of the world’s most skillful and talented players when the best-selling* video game from the EA SPORTS™ brand is released to stores across Europe on September 29, 2006.

Brazilian International and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho of Barcelona will feature alongside PFA Young Player of the Year Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in the United Kingdom. Other cover stars include L.A. Galaxy striker Landon Donovan and Francisco “Kikin” Fonseca of SL Benfica, who will be featured alongside Ronaldinho in North America, Lukas Podolski of Bayern Munich in Germany, David Villa of Valencia in Spain and Juninho Pernambucano of Olympique Lyonnais in France.

“EA SPORTS works with the best players in the world to develop the most authentic football games and we are particularly proud of this year’s line-up in FIFA 07,” said Clive Downie, Vice-President of Marketing, EA Europe. “Every player who will grace the cover of FIFA 07 is renowned as one of the best at his position in the world, and we are offering a line-up which would be a match for any team past or present.”

“FIFA is always the game I play with my team mates when we travel or get together for international duty, so it’s great to return for a second year on the cover of FIFA alongside Ronaldinho. Last season produced a lot of highlights for me, and I feel this is the season for both the game and for me professionally to go on to achieve even greater success,” said Wayne Rooney.

PLAYER	NATIONALITY	CLUB
Wayne Rooney	English	Manchester United (England)
Ronaldinho	Brazilian	Barcelona (Spain)
David Villa	Spanish	Valencia (Spain)
Lukas Podolski	German	Bayern Munich (Germany)
Francisco Fonseca	Mexican	SL Benfica (Portugal)
Juninho Pernambucano	Brazilian	Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Landon Donovan	American	LA Galaxy (United States)

EA has also revealed that it has secured exclusive rights to the F.A. Premier League for an additional four years up to and including the 2010/11 season. The deal allows EA SPORTS sole rights to include every Premier League club and allows the FIFA franchise to deliver the most realistic and up-to-date game with current kits, squads and player likenesses.

"The Premier League is widely regarded as the most exciting in the world and we’re delighted to have been able to extend our current deal," said Dan Holman, Marketing Manager, EA UK. "The FIFA franchise has always delivered the most authentic game experience and our continuing relationship will enable us to maintain the high standards fans have come to expect from EA SPORTS."

This year, you have the power to shape your club’s destiny in the EA SPORTS™ Interactive Leagues, a new online** mode that enables you to pit your club against supporters of your real-world opponents. The Interactive Leagues feature the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League and Mexican 1st Division. Experience the future of online gaming as you play your games according to the real-world schedule. When they play, you play. Track your team’s progress as the aggregate results determine your club’s position in the league table. Now you actually take to the pitch for the glory of your club. This is the season where you make the difference!

New intelligent A.I. ensures that your 11 men on the pitch make realistic decisions finding space and passing like professionals. A complete overhaul of the game engine now means that you have to employ real world tactics, make split-second decisions and think like a player in order to win matches. Watch as your players jostle and collide realistically while trying to win balls. Experience the realism of the world’s superstars who come to life with signature moves and authentic playing styles and a more sophisticated shooting mechanic that gives you greater control to produce finesse shots, for pin-point accuracy, or powerful laces shots. Plus you have the ability to apply topspin or backspin to the ball for more creative set-pieces.

FIFA 07, developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C., is scheduled to ship on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube™, Nintendo DS™, and Game Boy® Advance, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PC and mobile. The game carries a PEGI rating of 3+. Screenshots can be downloaded at www.electronicarts.co.uk/press.

LOTR: The White Council Announced For X360, PS3

Thu, 13 Jul 2006, 10:15:17 -0500

^{Next Generation Lord of the Rings Game Introduces First Epic Open World Adventure}

_{Press Release}

July 13,2006 - Electronic Arts announced today the development of The Lord of the Rings, The White Council, an all-new role playing game for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, and PC. The game, inspired by the New Line Cinema feature film trilogy that grossed more than $3 billion, will feature an original storyline derived from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novels under an agreement with EA. The game is scheduled to ship in late 2007.

"Our extremely talented and dedicated team is committed to creating an incredible new experience for fans of The Lord of the Rings and role playing gamers," said Steve Gray, executive producer, The Lord of the Rings, The White Council. "With its next generation gameplay and epic new storyline, we think The Lord of the Rings, The White Council will be a huge success."

Players have the freedom to explore the open world of Tolkien's Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings, The White Council. Players can choose their role as a man, an elf, a dwarf, or a hobbit. Each role's destiny is to become a hero allied with the White Council, whose members include the famed characters Gandalf, Saruman, Galadriel, and Elrond.

A combination of stunning graphics and expansive environments, along with the freedom of movement demonstrates the innovation and quality of the next-generation RPG, where players can create their own adventures.

The Lord of the Rings, The White Council has not yet been rated by the ESRB. For more information about the game, please visit: www.whitecouncil.ea.com.

Review: NFL Head Coach (Multi)

Mon, 10 Jul 2006, 14:38:47 -0500

^{“the only thing missing is a “get back” coach”}

_{By Quinton Miles, Executive Editor}

July 10, 2006 - This season, Bill Belichick has a chance to make history.

The head coach of the New England Patriots, Belichick has lead his troops to three previous Super Bowl victories this decade, and has a legit chance to do it for a fourth time this year, making him arguably the most successful coach in NFL history passing the greats like Vince Lombardi and Don Shula. It didn’t start off that way, though. An understudy of fellow future Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, Belichick’s journey took him to a number of teams and coordinator positions before he became who he is today.

The point of that mini-story, you ask? It takes time to build a winner. And while previous football titles have given you a small taste of what that building process is like, no console game has ever managed to tread that ground. Enter NFL Head Coach, the first 3D pro football simulation title from EA Sports. Designed to cater to this hardcore crowd, the game does a lot of good things in its first year out, but does go through the motions with a few rookie mistakes.

One thing football game fans need to note before heading into a game like this is that it is not Madden, nor is it intended to be. For all intents and purposes, it is a simulation strategy game, so those expecting the same experience as the aforementioned will be in for a surprise. NFL Head Coach is designed for an entirely different crowd of folks that enjoy the front office decisions, as well as the tedious tasks involved with heading a major professional sports team.

Starting immediately after the Super Bowl (and a nice NFL Live intro with ESPN‘s Trey Wingo), gamers assume control of either the offensive or defensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of Super Bowl XL. This automatically makes you a hot commodity in the coaching community, and teams are knocking down your door for you to lead their teams to the same kind of success. After going through a basic set of interview questions about your football know-how, up to five teams can give you an offer to join their team.

Once you’ve done so, you’re treated to a nice NFL Films FMV done by the voice of the NFL, Steve Sabol, and you’re whisked away to create your head coach and get things started. What follows after this is a variety of tasks designed to get your new team ready for the upcoming season: getting your new staff together, resigning players, and going through things with your new owner. Also, since you are hired before April, it also means you’ll have to take your team through the 2006 NFL Draft and select the new group of young players you expect to take the team into the future. The actual draft class is intact in this regard, so stars like Vince Young, Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart, and Jay Cutler are all included and can be drafted to any team. One nice thing to note about the draft is that it does have some slight ESPN implementation, as it is hosted by the draft guru himself, Mel Kiper, Jr. After each pick is given, Kiper gives also gives his insights and opinions on how that particular player can achieve success with his new team.

After the draft is done, you can now go over your selections with your coaching staff, bring on additional players (if need be), adjust your playbooks, and go over any email offers that may have come in for trades along with other possible transactions before training camp starts. All of this is executed quite well for a first year game, but at times it can prove to be clunky. Players are limited to a select number of coaching tasks and transactions before each new period, and every time you do, you’re treated to a 10-15 load time in between tasks. This can become very tedious as there are numerous task periods in a day, so hopefully EA will be able to better implement your coach’s day schedule in future renditions.
During games, players get the chance to literally control all aspects of the game at their disposal. From deciding whether you want the ball or not at kickoff to deciding how you choose to motivate your players (both on-field and off), the power of choice in literally everything in the game is yours to make. Play calling is rather straightforward, and you’ve got two choices as to how you go about on both sides of the ball. Either you can trust your coordinators and let them run the game for you while you manage everything else, or you can step in and call plays yourself if you feel your coaches aren’t getting anywhere.

The game uses a modified version of the Madden engine, so everything will play out in all its 3D glory. If coaching just isn’t your thing and you’re a master motivator, you can limit your actions to just calming the players down during timeouts, giving your star QB some tips to look out for on that blitz, or get a group of players ready on the sideline. Seriously, the only thing missing from this part of the game is the “get back” coach when players get too excited and start to seep onto the field, but who knows, it could be a idea on the table for a possible next-gen version.

NFL Head Coach manages to pull off a very good football sim experience in its rookie year, and should be commended for it. The core elements of decision making and strategic gameplay are there, and on top of that it is incredibly polished. There is some serious potential to build on what is already there for future versions of the series, and if they do, EA Sports will soon have another solid franchise on their hands. Hardcore football fans, as well as those who would like to try a different take on the sport, should definately give this game a shot.

Review: Pirates of the Carribean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow (Multi)

Mon, 10 Jul 2006, 13:56:18 -0500

^{“fans of the movie may want to pick it up, but outside of that, this is a rental”}

_{By Rusty Bailey, Contributing Writer}

July 10, 2006 - When someone is telling you a story, it is important to note that they could very well be twisting the tale to fit their whims. One can become a hero in any situation if told the right way. Naturally, in the face of death, Jack Sparrow will do just about anything to save his skin.

In the beginning of The Legend of Jack Sparrow, Jack Sparrow and Will Turner start off on a bad foot which unfortunately leads to their capture. They are to be hanged for their crimes, but Jack thinks he can convince Port Royal to drop the charges by telling them all of the good he has done for the town. Of course, he has slightly altered the reality of the stories to make himself look good in every anecdote.

During each story you can play as Jack or Will (and sometimes Elizabeth) by switching between the two characters. The other character is either controlled by the computer in single player or can be manned by the second player in co-op. As you progress through the levels, you earn new moves, with each one being a slight variation on X and square. You can also guard and dodge with R1 and throw projectiles with triangle.

The combat in The Legend of Jack Sparrow is basically mindless hack and slash. While it is simple fun, there is no need to try different moves except when you need to break an enemy’s shield. You can find gold by breaking barrels and defeating enemies to upgrade the strength of your attacks, but with it being a swashbuckling adventure, the effortless swordplay leaves you wanting something more complex.

Additionally, the AI is some of the dumbest you have seen in a while. While in single player, your partner is of no help because he loafs around barely fending for himself while the baddies swing away at him. You are doing most of the fighting while using the health chests to keep him alive. Likewise, the enemies are even worse. If they are not in close proximity they will most likely just stand there waiting to die (that is, unless they are armed with a gun). Also, there have been instances when a pirate would simply walk off the dock in the water, or walk into a fire and burn to death. These guys just have no will to live.

So while you’re in single player you might as well ditch Will Turner, but co-op allows two friends to conquer evil together. This is good fun for a while until you cannot see who you are attacking. In single-player the camera is very flexible and can be turned anywhere, but in co-op the camera is in a fixed mode. Additionally, if your partner is knocked back and he would normally land somewhere off screen, he will keep flying in the air until you run over to move the screen and allow him to land. Flaws such as these plague the experience of The Legend of Jack Sparrow, but the game does certainly have its redeeming features.

One great thing is the interactive environments. Most of the time Jack will need to use his bombs to burn down wooden objects to clear the path, or Will can use his axes to cut rope. You can also cut down wooden stands that pirates may be camping from, and of course you can break barrels and boxes to obtain gold. Additionally, if there is a skull icon above an object, you can perform different actions such as spinning the control stick to pull water out of a well or press X rapidly to push a boulder down a hill. But it does not end there.

While the graphics of the characters in The Legend of Jack Sparrow may be just a cut below the Kingdom Hearts versions, the game still looks great overall. Aside from the in-game graphics, the cut scenes are very impressive. They really got Jack Sparrow’s quirky drunken movements down to a tee. Unfortunately, while the character models are smooth and detailed, it seems Bethesda is simply against making attractive female characters as also indicated by Oblivion. Keira Knightley is not a bad looking woman – but leave it to Bethesda to make Elizabeth Swann the most unattractive female character ever seen in a game.

In addition to wonderful visuals, every Jack Sparrow fan got what they wanted – voice acting by Johnny Depp himself. He does an okay job, but it feels like the character is even more indifferent than he is in the movies. Where’s the inflection, Johnny? Otherwise, the music is very invigorating during fights and characteristic of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.

So we got the star of the movies to be the star of the game. Graphics aren’t too bad, but beyond that The Legend of Jack Sparrow is lacking. I love how Jack Sparrow retells the first movie making himself the hero of every scene, but the gameplay is not as great as it could be. There is little thought involved and the enemies give you no challenge. Hardcore fans of the movie may want to pick it up, but outside of that, this is a rental.

LoTR: Battle for M.E. II Ships For X360

Wed, 5 Jul 2006, 15:36:41 -0500

^{First The Lord of the Rings Videogame for the Xbox 360 on Store Shelves July 7, 2006}

_{Press Release}

July 5, 2006 - Electronic Arts announced that the award-winning The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 shipped to stores nationwide today and will hit store shelves July 7, 2006. This marks the debut of a strategy game available for the Xbox 360 system, boasting a new and innovative console-specific control scheme that allows novice players to enjoy the game's signature strategy gameplay while giving expert strategy players the flexibility needed to engage in deeply complex battles.

"We are thrilled to bring the first Real-time Strategy game to the Xbox 360 and offer you the opportunity to command massive armies from The Lord of the Rings universe for the first time on console," said Louis Castle, VP of Creative Development at EALA. "The Xbox LIVE gameplay is also truly enjoyable which features exclusive multiplayer modes. We can't wait to see you online!"

Based on the PC version of the same name, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 system takes players into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles seen in the blockbuster New Line Cinema films and detailed in the classic J.R.R. Tolkien literary fiction. Players now can command the epic battles of Middle-earth presented in spectacular high-definition from the comfort of their living room couch. To add to the intensity of the experience, players can challenge friends online and engage in intense, action-packed real-time battles over Xbox LIVE -- a first in The Lord of the Rings videogame series. Directly controlling hundreds of units, players can attempt to defeat enemy armies, conquer new lands, and seal the fate of Middle-earth.

Developed at EA's Los Angeles studio, The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 offers a new depth of The Lord of the Rings fiction never before explored in an EA console game. The game makers at EALA have brought The Lord of the Rings world to life in accordance with an agreement with The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises that grants EA the rights to develop games based on the books, in addition to a separate agreement that allows for games based on the New Line Cinema films.

The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 is rated "T" for Teen by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $59.99.

Review: Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (PS2)

Wed, 5 Jul 2006, 15:24:58 -0500

^{“…fans owe it to themselves to get this game”}

_{By Quinton Miles, Executive Editor}

July 5, 2006 - Capcom’s fighting games of the 90’s will always have a place in gamer’s hearts. Whether it was Street Fighter 2 or Marvel vs. Capcom 2, these games left a mark on people’s memories like no other and it still holds true to today. For the large part of the fanbase that grew up during that time, many hours were spent on the weekends at the always crowded local arcade with quarters in hand to plunk into the latest Street Fighter title to prove you were the best there. During that time, the first Street Fighter Alpha game also managed to make its way into the arcade crowd, and like the titles before it, people got hooked instantly.

At one point or another, all of the Alpha titles managed to make it out to the original PlayStation console as well, but with compilations and collections being all the rage nowadays with classic content being a key factor in the current and new systems, it was only a matter of time before Street Fighter Anthology was released. Capcom’s been known to be a bit random in the quality of their compilations, but by now they’ve had time to work on those issues, so how does Street Fighter Alpha Anthology manage to hold up?

For those few folks who aren’t familiar with the Alpha storylines, the entire series (also known as Zero in Japan) is placed in between the events of the first and second Street Fighter games which originally appeared a little more than a decade ago. Quite a bit of story details also occurred in between these games that filled in some gaps to those who hadn’t played the first game, such as how Sagat got the scar on his chest, the origins of Akuma, his connections to Gen, Ryu addressing his “dark” side, among other items that come to light once you go through the story modes. This is all well and good, but at the end of the day this is still a fighting game, so most people just forget about all of the aforementioned and pick up the controller to throw down, which is what this series is known for throughout the world.

Companies that do these type of games have always been known to be hit or miss sometimes, and this title falls somewhere in the middle. On the positive side, this collection does feature the entire Street Fighter Alpha series from the arcades and consoles, in addition to Super Gem Fighter, so it is definitely addressing something that fans have been requesting for a very long time. In addition, all of the games also retain their control schemes, stages, and layouts, so nothing major was modified or added to the games. It is also very good to see Capcom is listening to their fans by bringing these collections out.

That said, you could make the argument that nothing has changed is also one of the negatives of this title as well. For the most part, these are the exact same games that came out in the arcades with no updates to them at all. On top of that, latest version of Street Fighter Alpha 3 that originally appeared on the PlayStation is nowhere to be seen in this version, so the World Tour modes that the original home version made popular is notably absent. This is also a bit odd since the PlayStation version of Street Fighter Alpha 2 Gold made it over in the port, so you wouldn’t be the first person scratching your head on this matter if you did.

In a pleasant surprise, Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is also available in progressive-scan mode, so those with 480p capable television sets can take full advantage of the visual upgrade. The game also plays better with the increased resolution, so if you have a set that allows you to play in the mode, by all means do so. On the down side of that, the game isn’t available in a true widescreen format similar to many of Capcom’s previous collection titles, so those who want to play in 16:9 will have to stretch the screen to fill it out. Street Fighter games have always been one of the better games to pull this off and not appear to lose any quality, so for a game this dated, it’s not really a big issue. Sound wise, all titles come in stereo helped by the company’s “Q-Sound” scheme from the arcade titles. Also, like the Street Fighter Collection that came before it on the PlayStation 2, it is not online compatible, so those who’d like to take their game on a worldwide platform are unable to do so.

In the end, Street Fighter Alpha Anthology is a very good collection of the Alpha titles that fans shouldn’t be without. While it is missing a few items and versions of ports, it should no way deter your decision to pick it up. It’s priced at a very reasonable $29.99, and you do get six games out of the collection, so the pros outweigh the minute cons by a wide margin. Fans of Street Fighter, or fighting games in general, owe it to themselves to get this game.

Feature: Nintendo Wi-Fi: Eight Months Later

Wed, 5 Jul 2006, 14:33:05 -0500

^{We Take A Look At The Games Out So Far On Nintendo’s Online Service}

_{By Rusty Bailey, Contributing Writer}

July 5, 2006 - With the release of the DS Lite on June 11th, new DS owners have a whole library of games to choose from. Of course, your first reaction may be to go out and buy a game with touch screen elements. There is wide variety of touch screen games out there, but what people really want is online play.

So far, there have only been six games released with Wi-Fi compatibility, but are the online experiences even worthwhile? This guide can help you choose whether the online multiplayer should be a deciding factor in your purchases.

^{Mario Kart DS (11/14/05)}

One of the first games on the Nintendo DS to release with Wi-Fi, Mario Kart DS is simply a must-buy. Basically, once you connect, you can search for opponents in the categories of Regional, Worldwide, Rivals, or Friends. When you finally find three other racers, stages are determined by a vote. While there may be some lag that makes your opponent appear to teleport across the screen, it is a solid experience that will leave you playing for hours on end.

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks with the online mode. Many things that are available in offline multiplayer are not featured online. For one, some of the stages and items have been removed. On top of not having three red shells in your arsenal, you also can’t drag items like bananas behind you. Lastly, and it may be a huge disappointment to some, Battle Mode is not included online. Despite these shortcomings, however, Mario Kart DS has an online mode that should be missed by no one.

^{Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land (11/14/05)}

While Tony Hawk may have been overshadowed by Mario Kart DS because of a simultaneous release, it is nothing to be scoffed at. Once you connect to an opponent, you start out in Free Skate. From there any player can suggest a game change (Trick Attack, etc.) or a stage change and wait for the other player to accept. In addition to this you can upload your high scores and download new goals to earn money for Story Mode.

The only downside is the lack of players online. With most of the other Wi-Fi games, you can find an opponent in no time, but with Sk8land it will take quite some time to find someone – that is if you find anyone at all. Since Mario Kart DS was released on the same day, no one really noticed the little handheld skater. Now it has been half a year since it hit stores, so I wouldn’t expect to have an easy time finding opponents online.

^{Animal Crossing: Wild World (12/05/05)}

After gathering a large community and fanbase on the Gamecube, it became apparent that Animal Crossing was perfect for the Nintendo Wi-Fi. Long gone is the train station which made visits to neighboring towns so slow. All one needs to do now is hop online and connect to a town with open gates. However, this is the only game that strictly connects to your Friends. This means if you don’t know anyone with the game, you need to go online and find some Friend Codes. Fortunately, this is not a difficult task.

Since Animal Crossing has such a large fanbase, finding a friend to connect to is as easy as scouring your favorite message board. There are plenty of people wanting to sell furniture, visit different towns, and pick fruit. All you need to do is be wary of who you connect to. Find the wrong friends, and all your trees can be cut down right under your nose. While this game’s online experience is limiting for people with no Friend Codes, it is rewarding for the players willing to seek out people to visit.

^{Metroid Prime: Hunters (3/20/06)}

Being released as a demo more than a year before its release, Hunters was probably one of the most anticipated games on the Nintendo DS so far. Multiplayer was the main focus of the game, but how did it stack up? It offered a variety of modes including Battle, Capture, and Prime Hunter, and included a Hunters License which you could view online that featured all your statistics from online play.

However, one of the most limiting features of Hunters is the requirement of Friend Codes for certain modes. If you connect online without having any “friends,” you can play some quick games of Battle, and it also adds statistics to your Hunters License. But if you connect with friends, you can pick team battles, different modes, and it even has voice chat before and after matches. So while this game has a solid online experience, the only way you can access the whole thing is by having heaps of Friend Codes.

^{Tetris DS (3/20/06)}

For years there has always been that one gamer in your social circle that dominated at Tetris. Everyone always knew it was a bad idea to play against that person because they knew the game inside and out. Then Tetris DS appeared on the scene with online capabilities. This was your friend’s chance to show the world how insanely awesome he was at this game. But before he knew it, the world was showing him how much more he had to learn.

While Tetris DS may have been released on the same day as Metroid Prime: Hunters, it was barely overlooked by anyone. Puzzle fans everywhere were looking for a chance to show their skills online. The online mode in this game is simple and great. You can either do Standard Mode (with or without items) or Push Mode. It is effortless to find opponents, because it seems there is always someone playing at any hour. And just like any other Wi-Fi game, you can go online to Nintendo’s website to see how you fare against everyone else in the world.

^{Lost Magic (4/25/06)}

Last, and definitely not least, is Ubisoft’s Lost Magic. In this game’s online mode, you can pit your magician’s skills against other magic users across the world. And if you feel your party isn’t quite up to par, you can use a preset team to duke it out. Additionally, anytime you fight a battle with your own team, you get to keep the experience points you earned in battle.

Sadly, though, this game does suffer from intense lag. Having so many characters on the screen at once can really take its toll. Your rune comes on the screen slower so that you can’t cast spells quickly, and the entire match just goes by too sluggishly to understand what is going on. However, if you do happen to get past the lag, you’re in for a fun real time strategy battle.

^{The Future}

So it’s been over six months since the Nintendo Wi-Fi debut, and only six games with online capability have been released. Mario Kart DS and Tetris DS are must-haves because of their pick-up-and-play style, while Animal Crossing: Wild World and Metroid Prime: Hunters are just too restricted by the requirement of Friend Codes for the full experience. Six is quite a small number, so what is there to look forward to?

By the end of 2006, expect Contact, Star Fox Command, Tenchu: Dark Secret, Marvel Trading Card Game, and many more games with Wi-Fi compatibility.

Final Fantasy XII Arriving Stateside October 31

Wed, 28 Jun 2006, 12:23:18 -0500

^{Collector's Edition Available at GameStop and EB Games Stores Nationwide}

_{Press Release}

June 28, 2006 - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix interactive entertainment products in North America, today announced that FINAL FANTASY XII will be available in stores October 31, 2006, exclusively for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system.

In addition, a limited run of the FINAL FANTASY XII Collector's Edition will be available exclusively at GameStop and EB Games stores, as well as through the e-commerce sites GameStop.com and EBgames.com. Housed within special packaging, the bonus DVD offers Japanese and American promotional trailers, in-depth developer interviews, an art gallery and featurettes focusing on highlights of the FINAL FANTASY franchise.

FINAL FANTASY XII, which has sold over 2.4 million units in Japan since its release on March 16, 2006, will retail for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (USD) and $59.99 (USD) for the Collector's Edition.

Prey Completes Production, Goes Gold

Wed, 28 Jun 2006, 7:46:26 -0500

^{Highly Anticipated First-Person Shooter Coming to Xbox 360 and PC}

_{Press Release}

June 28, 2006 - 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and 3D Realms today announced the first-person shooter Prey has gone to gold master and will be available in North America on July 11th and in Europe on July 14th. Developed by Human Head Studios under the direct supervision of 3D Realms, Prey will be available for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PC in both a regular edition and a Limited Collector's Edition. The demo for the PC version of Prey is currently available for download, with an Xbox 360 demo available soon.

"Prey raises the bar for first-person shooters and is a must-have game for the summer," said Christoph Hartmann, President, 2K. "Its unique features, crisp graphics and in-depth storyline make it a truly revolutionary game."

Prey is a groundbreaking first-person shooter that turns the genre upside-down with new gameplay features and next generation graphics. Breaking the traditional first-person shooter format, Prey introduces innovative gameplay elements including wall-walking, portals, spirit-walking and gravity flipping, which allows for insane eight player deathmatches.

"We are proud to continue our tradition of releasing innovative and dynamic games for the PC and console game markets," said Timothy Gerritsen, CEO, Human Head Studios, Incorporated. "Prey is the culmination of nearly five years work to bring a truly innovative product to a first- person shooter market clamoring for something new."

"Prey's greatest message is that a commitment to quality, polish and unique gameplay is a sure-fire way to build a brand and one we strongly believe will have staying power for years to come," said Scott Miller, CEO, 3D Realms. "We believe Prey will be a major hit for gamers worldwide."

Prey for Xbox 360 and PC has been rated "M" for mature by the ESRB.

Sonic Celebrates His 15th Birthday

Fri, 23 Jun 2006, 12:09:45 -0500

^{SEGA's Video Game Icon Sonic The Hedgehog Celebrates 15th Birthday With Four New Releases}

_{Press Release}

June 23, 2006 - He's fast, he's blue, he's sold over 44 million games, and he just turned 15 years old! Tomorrow, SEGA will join millions of fans around the world to celebrate Sonic The Hedgehog's 15th birthday and his continued success with four bold new upcoming games. Born on June 23, 1991 as the fastest, most technologically advanced character for the SEGA Genesis console, Sonic continues to innovate as he prepares to blast onto next-gen consoles and the Sony PlayStation Portable system with groundbreaking new adventures. Additionally, in honor of its beloved mascot's 16-bit roots, SEGA will release the game that started it all with Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis exclusively for the Game Boy Advance this November. The game will feature two new additions to the classic 1991 debut including Sonic's famous Spin-Dash move and a new save ability, and will retail at the special price of $19.95.

Fans will be treated throughout the year to special 15th anniversary events, culminating with the release of three original Sonic adventures shipping later this year, as well as the original Sonic The Hedgehog Genesis for the Game Boy Advance. Sonic will make his first appearance on next-gen consoles with the dynamic new adventure Sonic The Hedgehog for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 this fall. Sonic The Hedgehog melds top-tier production values with next-gen art, physics, and game design to create the fastest and most intense Sonic experience yet. Featuring brand new interactive 3D environments, Sonic gameplay is taken to a whole new level with a large cast of new and returning characters, and a blistering sense of speed. Sonic will also debut this fall on the PSP with Sonic Rivals, a one-on-one racing platformer that also features Knuckles amongst other rivals combining classic 2D gameplay with 3D worlds. Available in 2007, a new Sonic adventure is also in development for the Wii console, combining Sonic's high velocity with the unique Wii controller and a colorful retelling of the classic tale Arabian Nights.

"Sonic's 15th birthday is a landmark occasion bringing SEGA and Sonic fans together to celebrate the hedgehog's trademark speed, heroism, and attitude," said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc. "The breathtaking speed and gameplay innovation that Sonic introduced in 1991 will reach new heights in Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic Rivals, and Sonic's new adventure for the Wii. These titles continue a super-Sonic legacy of ground-breaking gameplay and story elements that only next-gen consoles can deliver."

In addition to his video game fame, the "blue dude with the 'tude" has starred in two animated TV series, numerous comic book adventures, and an animated movie -- he's even had his own theme park and was the first and only video game character ever featured in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. But it's his video games that matter most to his legions of fans. Sonic has starred in more than 30 video game adventures, a distinction that earned him his star on the 'Walk of Game' landmark honoring pioneering gaming icons.

With the four upcoming new games, Sonic The Hedgehog is ready to blaze his way to the top of the video game world with the same speed, optimism, and brashness that set the gaming world on fire in 1991.

Review: Magnetica (DS)

Fri, 23 Jun 2006, 11:39:42 -0500

^{“a challenging experience for any puzzle fan”}

_{By Rusty Bailey, Contributing Writer}

June 23, 2006 - In an effort to expand its audience, Nintendo has offered its Touch Generations lineup, which features games that are easy to pick up and can be played in short intervals. Some of the games included are Brain Age, Tetris DS, and Nintendogs. The next installment in this series is Magnetica, a new puzzle game using only the stylus.

Magnetica strays away from the falling blocks motif of many classic puzzlers. In this unique game, different colored marbles follow a spiral path, and you have to clear all the marbles before they reach the end of the line. By using the stylus, you toss marbles from the launcher into the spiral of marbles and match up three or more of the same color. Once those marbles disappear, more marbles of matching colors are magnetized and can create a chain. And there is no easy way around it: creating chains is essential to racking up points in Magnetica.

Three different single-player options are offered including Challenge, Quest, and Puzzle. In Challenge, you go through a continuous line of marbles, eliminating everything until you reach the ultimate goal of level 99. On the top screen you have a spiral that shows your progress to you goal. However, there are items which can help and hinder your performance. Every ten levels a rocket will appear that will accelerate the speed of the marbles. These rockets can easily send your marbles rushing towards the end of the line. Also, sometimes a detonator will emerge that can be used to destroy all marbles of a certain color. Do not think this is a normal marathon mode that you can just breeze through, either. The real thing that will keep you coming back is that Magnetica is much more difficult straight from the beginning than most puzzlers.

In the next mode, Quest, you go through a series of stages which have different layouts than the standard spiral. In each level there is a finite amount of marbles you have to clear, and the stages only get harder each time. There is also an addition of items in this mode. You have the decelerator, which slows down marbles for a short period of time; the suppressor, which completely stops marbles for a short period of time; and the inverter, which reverses the direction of marbles for a short period.

While these items will appear along the line randomly, you can also get them by tossing a marble into any of the four holes at each corner. When you do, a slot machine on the top screen will determine what item you get and you can retrieve the item by tossing a marble into the same pocket. Also, in Quest, you have a metal ball at the end of the line which changes colors depending on well you do. The ultimate goal is to try and get gold at the end of every mission, which is quite a challenge in addition to clearing every marble.

The last, and most challenging, is the obligatory Puzzle mode. Every puzzler has it, so it’s no surprise that Magnetica has its own. All you need to do is eliminate all the marbles in the line using every marble in the launcher. After the first few, these puzzles can prove to be exceedingly difficult, as with all the other modes in the game. There are over 50 puzzles to complete, so you will have plenty to wrap your noodle around. This game’s difficulty is the real draw of Magnetica, since you won’t be able to simply blow through the entire game in one day.

If you have a friend with a Nintendo DS, he or she can easily join in on the fun with Magnetica’s multiplayer. Just go to the DS Download Play and let the magnetic madness ensue. In multiplayer, there are 5 new items that can be used to thwart your opponent efforts. They range from clouds of smoke which obstruct the other player’s view to bumpers that are set up randomly and deflect the opponent’s marbles. Also, if your friend just wants to play a quick game, you can send a demo to anyone wirelessly.

While Magnetica’s graphics are nothing spectacular, they fit the simple theme of the game. It definitely doesn’t push the Nintendo DS’s graphical capabilities, but it works. The game is awfully colorful, so it’s never a bland experience. Similarly, the sound is nothing too special. The tracks are mostly composed of techno beats fit for any puzzle game. The sound effects consist of electric noises and marble tappings which are accurate, but ordinary. However, the sounds that happen when you get a chain are joyful enough to inspire you to only create more intricate chains so you can hear it again and again.

Magnetica may not be the best puzzle game on the market, but it is definitely a challenging experience for any puzzle fan. Don’t go into this game expecting to complete everything in a day or so. Once you start, this game will keep you busy for quite some time.

EA Unveils Madden NFL 07 Soundtrack

Fri, 23 Jun 2006, 8:14:10 -0500

^{Blockbuster Football Franchise Breaks New Bands and Launches New Tracks from Audioslave, AFI, Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday}
_{Press Release}

June 23, 2006 - Crank it up, gamers! The football pre-season kicks off with a bang as Electronic Arts reveals the 35 songs that will be featured in Madden NFL 07, becoming the de facto soundtrack of the 2007 football season. The bone-crunching action and heart-pounding adrenaline of the grid iron is intensified by the game's one-of-a-kind mix of rock and hip hop.

"Year after year, the music selected for inclusion in EA's smash hit football series invariably becomes the soundtrack of the football season, moving beyond the game to turn up in football stadiums and on live TV broadcasts," said Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA. "The Madden NFL Football franchise is recognized across North America as a driving force behind break-out bands...this year EA does it again."

Players step onto the field in Madden NFL 07 with the thundering roar of the crowd in the background and the air filled with pounding rock anthems and energizing hip hop beats. Dr. Dre's protege who first appeared in NBA LIVE 06 and NFL STREET 2, Bishop LaMont now makes an appearance on Madden NFL 07 with a track featuring Chevy Jones, while Lupe Fiasco is on deck with Jonah Matranga. These hot tracks are included alongside new releases from fan favorites AFI, Audioslave, Dashboard Confessional and Taking Back Sunday. Also this year, game fans will be spellbound by new music debuts from Jared Leto's 30 Seconds to Mars, Dave Navarro's band The Panic Channel, and Rise Against whose sophomore record is anticipated to be one of the biggest rock albums of the year.

Again this year, the hip hop production team Da Riffs remixed nearly a dozen original NFL FILMS music pieces will be showcased throughout the menus and in gameplay.

The complete in-game soundtrack for Madden NFL 07 includes:

(Listed by artist, song)

30 Seconds To Mars - Battle Of One
AFI - Summer Shudder
Al Fatz - Came Down
Anti-Flag - This Is The End (For You My Friend)
Atreyu - Ex's And Oh's
Audioslave(1) - Revelations
Bishop LaMont feat. Chevy Jones(1) - The Best
Cartel - Say Anything (Else)
Cord(1) - Go Either Way
Damone - Out Here All Night
Dashboard Confessional - Reason To Believe
Dynamite MC(1) - Bounce
Feezy 350 - Playa What
Glasses Malone(1) - Right Now
Hit The Lights - Until We Get Caught
Keane - Is It Any Wonder?
Less Than Jake - Still Life Franchise
Lupe Fiasco feat. Jonah Matranga - The Instrumental
Matchbook Romance - Monsters
Omnisoul(1) - Not Giving Up
Rise Against - Drones
Riverboat Gamblers - On Again Off Again
Saves The Day - Head For The Hills
Shorty Da Kid(1) - Get Loose
Spank Rock - Backyard Betty
Sparta(1) - Future Needs
Taking Back Sunday - Spin
The Panic Channel(1) - Teahouse Of The Spirits
The Pink Spiders - Easy Way Out
The Rapture(1) - WAYUH
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus - In Fates Hands
The Sleeping - Don't Hold Back
Trae - Real Talk
Underoath - Ever So Inviting
Wolf mother - Woman

(1) Indicates song will debut in Madden NFL 07 before being released to retail

Coming into its 17th year and with more than 51 million copies sold, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Developed in Orlando, FL by EA Tiburon Madden NFL 07 will be available in August on Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, PC, PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system and Game Boy Advance. For more information check out www.madden07.com.

Alex Ovechkin Named NHL 07 Cover Pick

Thu, 22 Jun 2006, 12:08:43 -0500

^{Outstanding Washington Capitals Rookie signs as Cover Athlete for EA SPORTS}

_{Press Release}

June 22, 2006 - Washington Capitals rookie phenom Alexander Ovechkin has signed with Electronic Arts to be the cover athlete and spokesman for its EA SPORTS branded NHL 07 game. Drafted first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Ovechkin lived up to his potential and put forth the third most prolific rookie campaign in NHL history. Exceeding his freshman status, Ovechkin made his presence known by finishing the season third overall in the League for points (106), tied for third in goals (52), and first in shots (425).

"To me, I feel like your accomplishments have been recognized when you make the cover of a videogame," said Ovechkin. "I have been playing EA SPORTS games for years and am honored to be a part of the NHL 07 team."

Ovechkin exploded onto the scene in the 2005-06 season, playing with a level of intensity, passion, and talent that is causing many to label him the new face of the NHL. At the age of 20, he has already won the Valery Kharlamov Trophy as the best Russian player in the NHL and is a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy for outstanding rookie. More telling of his reputation around the League is his nomination for the Lester B. Pearson Award, an honor bestowed upon the outstanding player as voted by his peers in the NHL Players' Association.

The golden age of console hockey will return when NHL 07 debuts with gameplay innovations that will allow players to feel like they are actually on the ice. Featuring an unmatched level of freedom and control, NHL 07 will represent a watershed moment in the history of the console hockey when it ships throughout Canada and the United States in September 2006. Hockey purists and casual fans alike will feel like they can play like a pro when they pick up NHL 07.

The EA SPORTS NHL franchise is the #1 selling hockey game and is now entering its 16th year of licensing relationships with the NHL and the NHLPA. EA and the NHL and the NHLPA announced earlier this week that they had further renewed their longstanding relationship through to 2012. NHL 07 is being developed under the EA SPORTS brand by talented teams located in two of Canada's frenzied hockey hotbeds: EA Montreal and EA Canada in Vancouver, B.C. The game will be available for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP (Playstation Portable) handheld entertainment system, Xbox 360 video game system from Microsoft, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and PC. For more information, log onto www.nhl07.com.

PlayStation 3 To Support HDMI 1.3

Thu, 22 Jun 2006, 11:50:33 -0500

^{High-Definition Multimedia Interface Also Adds Newest Digital Audio Formats, Mini Connector and Lip Sync}

_{Press Release}

June 22, 2006 - The seven HDMI Founder companies (Hitachi, Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), Royal Philips Electronics, Silicon Image, Inc., Sony Corp., Thomson, Inc. and Toshiba Corp.) today released a major enhancement of the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) specification, the de facto standard digital interface for high definition consumer electronics. HDMI 1.3 will enable the next generation of HDTVs, PCs and DVD players to transmit and display content in billions of colors with unprecedented vividness and accuracy.

The HDMI 1.3 specification more than doubles HDMI’s bandwidth and adds support for Deep Color technology, a broader color space, new digital audio formats, automatic audio/video synching capability (“lip sync”), and an optional smaller connector for use with personal photo and video devices. The update reflects the determination of the HDMI founders to ensure HDMI continues evolving ahead of future consumer demands.

The update arrives at a time of strong momentum for the HDMI standard. HDMI Licensing, LLC today announced that more than 400 makers of consumer electronics and PC products worldwide have adopted HDMI. Market researcher In-Stat expects 60 million devices featuring HDMI to ship in 2006.

“PLAYSTATION 3 will be the most advanced computer platform for enjoying a wide range of entertainment content, including the latest games and HD movies, in the home,” said Ken Kutaragi, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. “By introducing the next-generation HDMI 1.3 technology, with its high speed and deep color capabilities, PS3 will push the boundaries of audiovisual quality to the next level of more natural and smoother expression on the latest large flat panel displays.”

"HDMI is an established cornerstone for the whole High Definition TV industry and Philips is extremely pleased to see such significant improvements for picture and sound quality with this new version,” said Johan van de Ven, CTO and Senior Vice President of Philips Consumer Electronics. “We look forward to continuing to work with other HDMI Founder companies to extend the scope of HDMI across new devices and applications, while remaining entirely committed to ensuring full backward compatibility with existing products."

With the adoption of Deep Color and the xvYCC color space, HDMI 1.3 removes the previous interface-related restrictions on color selection. The interface will no longer be a constraining pipe that forces all content to fit within a limited set of colors, unlike all previous video interfaces.

X06 Set For Barcelona, Spain

Thu, 22 Jun 2006, 9:31:50 -0500

^{Microsoft to present the next-generation of gaming against the dramatic backdrop of Barcelona}

_{Press Release}

June 22, 2006 - Microsoft today announced that X06, the Xbox brand experience for the games and entertainment industry, will be held on 27th and 28th September this year. It was also revealed that the glamorous, cosmopolitan and cultural city of Barcelona will be playing host to this year’s exclusive event.

Europe’s top media, partners, publishers and developers will be invited to the Catalan capital to experience the incredible evolution of the Xbox 360 console and the exciting offerings it is bringing to Europe.

At X06 Microsoft will unveil more plans for the Xbox 360, showcase the breadth of the next-generation line-up of games, the next wave of accessories and new world-class Xbox Live entertainment experiences along with the latest Games For Windows announcements.

For the first time Microsoft will also welcome South Africa, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland to the event having recently announced the launch of the Xbox 360 in these countries by the end of 2006.

Previous X0 events have been the setting for high-profile announcements such as the European pricing details for Xbox (2001); Xbox Live and the acquisition of Rare (2002); the unveil of the new Xbox branding (2003) and the fantastic launch games line-up for Xbox 360 (2005). This year’s event will be no exception, and visitors to the Barcelona event should expect to be blown away with exclusive news announcements and amazing next generation gaming experiences.

As always, third party publishers and developers will have a strong presence, and will be using X06 as a platform to unveil major announcements and showcase forthcoming Xbox 360 titles.

A highlight of the gaming calendar, Xbox enjoys this opportunity to bring gamers together from across Europe and create a unique and immersive experience for their guests. Commenting on the announcement, Chris Lewis, regional vice president, Xbox, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said: “We are really looking forward to X06 in Barcelona and believe this will prove to be an amazing experience for gaming enthusiasts across Europe. We have some exciting announcements to make and even more to show people. X06 will firmly place Xbox 360 as the console of the next generation.”

Xbox will be sending out more communication and invitations over the next few weeks.