Haunted House re-visited

Thirty years on from its original incarnation, Atari have updated the classic Haunted House game for a new generation. The iconic groundbreaking game returns with more chills, cool new unlockables and plenty of spooky new enemies and is promised to be available for Halloween 2010.

Haunted House pays homage to the classic favorite as players fight for their lives in Graves Mansion as the grandchildren of the original character that disappeared without a trace in the evil mansion over 30 years ago.

Chased by pesky poltergeists, haunted by scary skeletons and exhausted from battles with creepy creatures, players are in a goosebump-inducing fight to explore the dark and creepy depths of Graves Mansion in search of the four lost pieces of the magical urn.  The player’s goal is to reassemble the urn and defend their family’s legacy with the aid of mystical tomes, powerful light sources and multiple keys.

The pick up-and-play arcade-style adventure allows players to jump right in and begin battling for their family’s legacy and explore the dark and mysterious levels.

An eerie, 3D rich environment of towers, basements and catacombs draws players into the haunted world and cursed story. Find hidden treasures, solve puzzles, fight bosses, and navigate through the spooky mansion and multiple levels on the way to a showdown with Zachary Graves.

Haunted House will take control of Wii®, Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and Windows PC Download this Autumn, with suspense filled challenges, new chilling environments and more frightful enemies than ever before.

For further information visit the Atari Haunted House website.

This fun game later spread throughout Europe, being played in France by the upper class.  Germany used a similar game in schools to teach their youth to read, write, and do math.  When the game hit the United Kingdom, they created their own 90-ball variation of the game, where the spaces on the bingo card possessed a number ranging between one and ninety, and they turned the game of bingo into a national game.

In the early 20th century, the game of bingo traveled across the Atlantic to the United States, where it was played under the name Beano, as participants in the game would mark their cards with beans as the numbers were drawn and called.  Eventually, the name of the game was changed to bingo, due to a slip up when a player shouted bingo, as opposed to bingo when they got excited about a win.  This is the name the game holds today.

While the name of the game has remained the same for nearly a century, the game has maintained popularity and continued to evolve. In many countries, bingo is played in social clubs, bingo halls, and casinos.  It is played for fun, and even used to raise money for certain organizations and causes.  At the close of the 20th century, the game of bingo ventured online.  With the emergence of online bingo, games are no longer bound to a specific venue or bingo hall.  Nor are games restricted to one specific country for participation.  Additionally, online bingo games do not use paper bingo cards.  Instead, online bingo games are played with computer generated bingo cards and the numbers are generated and called by way of a random number generator.  This allows an online bingo player to play the game far more efficiently and online bingo players can usually take on more bingo cards that the average live player can, because the computerized version of the game is easier to keep up with and far more organized.  In fact, online bingo cards can be marked or daubed automatically, thanks to the auto-daubing technology that most reputable online bingo sites have rolled out.

Another great feature that online bingo rooms have brought into the mix is the social aspect of the game.  In all stages of evolution, bingo has been a most social game.  Online bingo games retain the social aspect of the game and perhaps even enhance it.  When taking part in games of bingo online, players socialize and interact with one another by way of online chat rooms.  In these online bingo chat rooms, players can meet new people, engage in friendly conversation, and even share in the excitement of winning an online bingo game.

Today, there are numerous online bingo sites that offer a variety of bingo games that you can play on the Internet.  And while there are tons of online bingo halls, it is important to remember that not all online bingo sites are created equally.  When choosing a new online bingo site, one must consider the quality of software, as well as the availability of bingo games, and even the incentives that are available to players wishing to take part in playing online bingo.  The best and most innovative online bingo software platform is by far the Dragonfish platform.  With Dragonfish, an online bingo player gets the best overall experience.  Dragonfish is secure, rich in graphics, and responsive in controls.  Silk Bingo is a top tier online bingo site that utilizes the Dragonfish bingo platform to offer its games.  Online players wishing to join Silk Bingo to play online bingo are well compensated for doing so.  New Silk Bingo players get 20 free online bingo cards when they register as a new player, and upon first deposit – Silk Bingo players receive 100% up to £100 in bonus money, which can be used to play in any of the online bingo games that Silk Bingo offers.  In addition, online bingo players will enjoy the strong sense of community that they will feel through the Silk Bingo chat rooms when they play online bingo games there.

The game of bingo is an oldie but goodie.  From its Roman roots to its extreme popularity online, bingo games are a great way to have fun, learn, and socialize.  The innovation of online bingo has brought the beloved game from the bingo hall and social club right into the house and home.  So next time you are feeling up to an evening of bingo games, give a quality online bingo room a try.

You may have the original Sony Playstation stashed away safely in your room somewhere, but gaming on the go is the newer way to play, and if you haven’t yet caught on to the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable), where have you been?!

The stylish portable games console lets you access games, music, videos and photos at any time of day. The PSP also features a TV-out socket for displaying content on a television.  As far as Sony PSP games and accessories go, there’s a mountain to choose from.  If you like a good grapple, you can’t beat Sony PSP’s Tekken: Dark Resurrection.

If you’re not familiar with the Tekken series, it’s about time you looked them up. The arcade style games let you select from an impressive list of diverse characters each with their own fighting style, before you pick your opponent and try to knock their block off.  What better way to pass the time on an otherwise dull train journey, or the miserable morning bus ride to work?

Delivering everything that makes the Tekken series so popular, Sony PSP’s Tekken: Dark Resurrection is an impressive graphical game.   One for the lads, it’s a staple PSP game that ticks all the right boxes.

Fans of spiky-headed favourite Sonic the Hedgehog will no doubt love Sony PSP’s Sonic Rivals.  With high speed thrills, this simple yet staple PSP game combines the old school feel of the Sonic classics with modern graphics and updated features.  Bright, colourful levels with plenty of jumps and loops ensure a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. Providing an interesting twist to the original Sonic game, Sonic Rivals sees Sonic save his friends from classic rival Eggman in a series of one-on-one races.

You’ll be hooked almost as soon as you switch on your PSP.

A game made exclusively for the Sony Playstation portable, Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines, part of the popular Assassin’s Creed franchise, is a real hit with the boys.  The action-adventure game allows players to free-roam an island at will, all while keeping out of sight of deadly enemies on the way.

Fantasy fans can get a load of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, based on the film of the same name. Set in the world of Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VII, the game sees Cloud tackle the mystery of the ‘geostigma’, which has become infected by being exposed to the planet’s life stream energy. Cloud and the remaining Final Fantasy VII characters are to lash back at the planet, while saving themselves from destruction. Gripping and addictive, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children is already storming the gaming charts.

Little Big Planet is the latest Sony PlayStation craze to take the gaming market by storm. Widely regarded as one of the top 10 Sony PSP games, Little Big Planet gives you the chance to step into a world of endless possibilities, where your imagination is key.  You can enhance whatever you see, using your own creativity, while the graphics behind Little Big Planet provide the rest.  Set out with Sackboy and explore a wealth of environments, while overcoming frustrating obstacles in order to build your own creations. The power is firmly in your hands!

Everyone loves a good virtual car chase, so why not check out Grand Theft Auto? Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is a favourite in the Grand Theft Auto series, where players navigate their way through the streets as they uncover the truth behind a tale of crime and corruption. Gran Turismo, the real driving simulator, also recently made its debut on the Sony PSP. Featuring over 800 car models and 35 tracks, there’s mission and arcade modes to choose from as well as a multiplayer racing mode.

Footy fans will love Sony PSP’s FIFA 10, with its improved graphics and enhancements. Featuring refinements based on responsiveness and intelligence, plus a new ‘Manager Mode’ including a whopping 50 major improvements, the game includes the 360° dribbling system, which provides finer dribbling control, as well as more accurate passing and authentic shooting.

But the Sony PSP is not just about games: there’s also plenty of films to be downloaded too, as well as a wealth of gaming accessories. Ensure you get a decent durable case and screen protector, first off. PSP accessories packs come in a variety of combinations, with carry cases and screen protectors often included. Save on batteries and get yourself a Sony PSP adaptor, ensuring you can play without the worry that your game will cut out half way through.

For games, movies and accessories, you’ll certainly be spoilt for choice with your PSP. Happy gaming!

Online Bingo Gaining Popularity

Bingo has long been a popular game up and down the country and people of all ages have enjoyed the entertainment that is offered by a couple of games of bingo.

Historically played in bingo halls across the UK, the growth of the Internet has resulted in Online Bingo becoming increasingly popular and now thousands of people play bingo online everyday. Playing bingo on the Internet is an ideal way to play the game for a number of people, meaning that they don’t have to leave their home. As a result many people are being introduced to the game for the first time.

Bingo is often seen as a game for the older generation. It is something that many people have grown up with and start to play more regularly later in life. This has much to do with finding the time to play the game, but also because previously all children grew up playing the game.

Now fewer people play bingo at an early age due to the growth of other forms of entertainment. The traditional image of a group of elderly women being incredibly competitive and having a great time in a bingo hall is starting to change. Many people now head online to try out the game for the first time or to renew their love for it.

Online bingo has helped to bring a whole new demographic of people to the world of bingo and this can only help the game’s popularity to grow and become more widespread. The convenience of being able to play bingo online has appealed to a great number of people that are looking to be able to fit in a bit of fun here and there.

This is instead of having to spend an extended period of time sitting in the bingo hall and listening out for their numbers. Internet bingo can be accessed at any time of day and therefore anyone can fit in this form of entertainment at a time to suit them. If you have a spare half an hour in the morning then you can sit down in front of your computer and enjoy a quick game.

More young people are being introduced to the game of bingo now than ever before, and like many online games it is a younger demographic of people that log on to play. This doesn’t mean that older people aren’t playing bingo online as well, but the rapid increase in young people playing bingo is the main result of the game’s growth online.

Not having to walk down to your local bingo hall in the rain and being able to play in the warmth of your own home has transformed bingo to some extent. But it is the essential features of bingo that have been kept online that have helped the game to develop its popularity.

The internet is not the first medium that the game of bingo has moved into. Bingo has been played for many years by families in their own homes as a board game as well as in bingo halls up and down the country. Although this has decreased somewhat, more people are now playing bingo in their own homes thanks to the growth of online bingo and a lot of people are returning to the game that they haven’t played for a number of years.

Bingo is a very popular game due to its simplicity and the fact that anyone can try the game for the first time and immediately become gripped by it. It has a massive impact on people who try it for the first time and consequently people play again and again and become increasingly competitive. Online bingo can even prove to be more exciting and a quicker game than traditional bingo, and as there is a wide variety of different games that you can play online, you can choose to play the game that suits your mood.

On the Internet there are many different Bingo Games for people to play each with a twist on the classic game but also keep the major elements of bingo. From Cluedo to Monopoly, there are many different forms of bingo for you to try online. Once you have sampled what each of them has to offer you may find that you have a favourite, or you might just want to mix it up and keep it varied and play them all now and again.

The classic game of Monopoly has been redesigned and no longer is it just a bit of fun and about fake money. You can now win real money and big prizes online and this is another aspect that has helped the popularity of bingo to grow on the Internet. Not only can you have a vast amount of fun, but if you have a bit of skill and luck is on your side then you can also win some cash that will go down a treat as well. Thus after an evening on the Internet playing one of your favourite games, you may just find that you’re slightly better off and have a few pounds to spend as you wish.

Bingo is essentially a very popular game as it can be a lot of fun and is very easy to pick up and start playing. The growth of online bingo has only enhanced this and the game is now far more accessible for a lot of people, especially younger people who have probably heard of the game in the past but may not have been introduced to it. With the chance to play a wide variety of games, have fun, win some money and most importantly play whenever you like, online bingo is only likely to grow in the future as more and more people flock to bingo sites such as Bingo Liner.

Runes of Magic - Thunderfoot Hills

This month players will be able to set foot on the previously forgotten continent of Zandorya and explore its first zone. Frogster is showing the first detailed glimpses into the ‘Thunderhoof Hills’ area and the kingdom of ‘Dalanis’. The integration of this high-level region gives players the first content from the main release of ‘Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms’  which is due for release this May.

In the south of Zandorya lie the verdant Thunderhoof Hills which are surrounded by an imposing mountain range. The region is characterized by its green meadows, rushing waterfalls and wild rivers. Several settlements are nestled in this picturesque landscape as well as the Valley of Glory where mammoth effigies of ancient war heroes rise up to the sky as reminders of past glorious battles.

These were the battles in which the legendary King Kalume and his mounted allies once fought against demons and after whom the region was named. Kalume recruited elves, dwarves and other creatures alongside humans such as the rhinoceros-like Kalo people. In recognition of their support Kalume divided up the land amongst these peoples so that the land of Thunderhoof Hills is still diversely populated today.

Players above Level 55 can wander through the zone starting from April and can discover the Kingdom of Dalanis situated at the heart of the Thunderhoof Hills. Its origins stem from the glorious period of Kalume and it is now ruled over by the young King Callaway. The glory days seem to be over for the kingdom which is now plagued by intrigue and revolt since some of the rulers of the six principalities have their sights set firmly on Callaway’s throne and the powers it brings.

However, the King still recalls the region’s grand old days and wants to return Dalanis to its former glory and strength. He is being supported by one of the dynasty’s remaining loyal orders, the Lionheart Knights. This order is a thorn in the side of those who are scheming and plotting to overthrow the King and who will stop at nothing to get the faithful Callaway out of the picture.

This situation is at its clearest in the instance ‘Dungeon of Dalanis’. Players can delve into this dungeon after the main release of the third chapter in May. Another setting for these power struggles is the stately stronghold of ‘Aren’ in the hills – the seat of power of one of the six principalities fighting for more control.

The task for the player is to support King Callaway in the battle against the insurgents and their foreboding schemes in the Thunderhoof Hills.

Runes of Magic - Thunderhoof Hills

To see more screenshots and further information on the new region visit the Runes of Magic – Chapter 3 website.

Runes of Magic goes Metal!

In other Runes of Magic news, the German acappella metal band, Van Canto has published a new track to celebrate the one year anniversary of the MMORPG game.

The band including bassist Ross Thompson who is an avid player of Runes of Magic, has devoted the new track ‘Magic Taborea’ to the fantasy game world. The song forms part of their current album, Tribe of Force, which has been available in iTunes and retail stores since 26th February.

A special orchestral version of the song which was created in cooperation with the sound studio Dynamedion is included as a bonus on the band’s new album when purchased from iTunes. Van Canto had already released a modified version of the song ‘Quest for Roar’ with reference to Runes of Magic in 2009.

“Working together with Frogster has been a great opportunity for us to expand our style further. For the first time we had the chance to work with a complete orchestra on ‘Tribe of Force’ and ‘Magic Taborea’ and we’re ecstatic with the results”, explained the band’s vocalist Stefan Schmidt, “The fantastic world of Runes of Magic was such a huge inspiration for this orchestral number that it almost composed itself. We’re very excited for what the future might hold for this combination of acappella metal music and Runes of Magic.”

There are some amazing machines featured here too. Ride the Ducati 996, Honda RC45, or a Kawasaki ZX-7RR and feel the power in the controls with world champion riders like Aaron Slight. These bikes handle and feel just like riding the real thing, so the smashes and crashes are equally realistic. Play against the computer’s aggressive overtaking and tactical manoeuvres and match it with your own skills. Move up a level as you control your bike better and pit yourself against the champions.

There are a whole load of different superbike versions available on various internet sites that let you download games and everyone has their favourite.

Superbike from EA Sports has a realistic soundtrack and 3D engines, and the simulation is really life like. You can change difficulty levels, or race in different conditions, so this is not a game which will quickly become boring once you have mastered all the levels.

New superbike video games are available for download all the time, so it is worth keeping an eye on your favourite download sites and magazines so that you don’t miss out on any fresh ones.

For some reason, superbike racing games never seem to go out of fashion, and they still attract video gamers even years after they are first released. They are great value in that players need a lot of skill to advance through the levels, so there is plenty to do.

monkey island

Telltale Games and LucasArts today are reporting the purported demise of Guybrush Threepwood, one of gaming’s greatest heroes and the Caribbean’s mightiest pirates.

Details are sketchy and authorities have not named any suspects, but unconfirmed reports suggest that the recently reformed pirate LeChuck may somehow be involved. Investigators have not been able to locate the former demon pirate, or Threepwood’s wife Elaine Marley-Threepwood, for questioning.

As the chronicler of Threepwood’s recent exploits in Tales of Monkey Island, Telltale Games assures the masses that answers to many vexing questions will be revealed in the grand finale episode, Rise of the Pirate God, which releases on Tuesday, December 8 at telltalegames/monkeyisland.

In honor of Threepwood’s heroic and adventurous life, Telltale is now offering the first four episodes of Tales of Monkey Island for individual
purchase at telltalegames/monkeyisland. Each episode is priced at $8.95 USD each.

Monopoly

Today, a whole new way to play Monopoly has been launched online, using Google maps as the game board.  Players are given three million dollars to build their virtual empire, with every street on Google maps up for purchase.

As in the board game, once a player has ownership of the street, they can charge rent or trade/sell to another player.  Slightly more realistic than the original game, players can collect ‘chance cards’ which allows them to sabotage other players property by building prisons, rubbish dumps or wind farms, reducing the rent value of the street.  Players can also use a bulldozer to remove the offending building but again, only with the ‘chance card’.

The game has been developed by Hasbro, due to be launched today and to run for the next four-months, ending on the 31 January 2010.

As reported above, this game is supposed to be launched today but at the time of writing this the site has not gone live.  Here is a link to Monopoly City Streets, but we are still trying to get onto the site.

MotoGP09

The new official MotoGP09 game for your mobile phone is now available and is described as ‘allowing you to experience the ultimate motorbike racing simulation’.

With a choice of one of the eighteen riders from the current MotoGP series including Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner, it is the only mobile game to carry the official license of the MotoGP 2009 season.

The 2009 addition features 10 upgrades for speed, steering, handling and track grip and digital sound effects to make it even more of a thrill.

Consumers can purchase the game Worldwide through a simple SMS to a given number, depending on their location and network operator.

The player can choose one of the seventeen official circuits from this season including Jerez, Indianapolis and Losail, and also features an award system, giving a total of nineteen awards to be collected as your skill improves.

The game is fast, accessible and fun from beginning to end, giving the sensation of speed while riding the bike of your choice, outpacing most of the rivals.

LucasArts will be re-releasing ten classic PC games available for download via Steam Digital platform from July 8th, with the promise of even more classic titles to follow.

The full list of titles released tomorrow is as follows:

Indiana Jones And The Fate Of Atlantis

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure

Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventure

Star Wars: Battlefront II

Star Wars: Republic Commando

Star Wars: Starfighter

Armed And Dangerous

LOOM

The Dig

Thrillville: Off The Rails

LucasArts president Darrell Rodriguez expects the downloads to reach a whole new generation of gamers to the ten classic games, with more titles to follow in the future. He says;

“It also gives more people a chance to play our games by making them available long after they’ve disappeared from store shelves. We hope our fans are as excited as we are about our plans and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next. This is just the beginning.”