microvolts screenshot

Rock Hippo Productions have announced that their fast and furious MMO-TPS (Massively Multiplayer Online-Third Person Shooter) game, MicroVolts is entering its Beta stage soon.

MicroVolts is a free2play online shooter that offers an innovative Third Person view over the traditional First Person genre, making the game compelling to play, more fun to watch and more importantly, providing an intense gaming experience.

MicroVolts places the gamer in a toy playground and pits players in the roles of action figures in a war that’s been waged in our own homes unnoticed.  How did the war start? Who made them?  It’s time to take up arms and fight for valuable battery resources and supremacy of the Micro World.

Featuring fast paced gameplay and a thriving number of different weapons, characters, levels and modes, another of the game’s unique features is the possibility to customize your character. With literally thousands of cosmetic items either purchasable or freely available, no one character must look the same.

Each individual player’s statistics are logged and MicroVolts also gives the opportunity to level up so your character becomes an even more feared opponent in the fun-to-play levels.

MicroVolts offers the player a huge choice of options for putting their own stamp on the game:
·         4 characters to choose from that are customizable with a choice of thousands of cosmetic items.

·         Choose from 7 different types of weapons, each being fully upgradeable.

·         Strategic teamwork that offers dynamic and fast paced game play.

·         Multiple maps, designed by Toy Concept, offer a distinct and visually rich view of the world.

·         Different game modes offer the player a unique experience.

Visit the MicroVolts website to be among the first to reciece a beta code and check out the exciting free to play new game.

Friday Town

Friday Town is a brand new groundbreaking social game created by a partnership between Cadbury’s Crunchie and nDreams, it launches today on the social media website Facebook.

Friday Town invites players into a virtual world and challenges them to help its inhabitants brighten up their lives with a series of puzzles that will unfold over the coming weeks and months.

On arriving in this virtual world the player takes on the role of a Friday Feeling Engineer, whose job is to make everyone feel more Friday-ish, with progress measured on a Friday-o-meter: the more fun and excitement generated, the better the player does.

The aim of the game’s first chapter is to help the Friday Engineers make the town fountain pump out chocolate instead of water, and turn it into a giant sundae!

As each additional chapter is then unlocked, players will face a whole new set of puzzles, meaning the game is constantly evolving to bring new bursts of that Friday Feeling. To add an extra level of competition, the game rewards those who recruit new players, via their own Facebook friend lists, with access to a secret area.

The theme of the game has been developed in parallel with Crunchie’s new TV advertising campaign, which sees a team of Friday Engineers helping a man singing to himself in a Monday-type way ramp it right up to that Friday Feeling with lights, fireworks and a full-on festival stage.  The TV campaign is in support of the launch of new Cadbury Crunchie Rocks, crispy Crunchie honeycomb pieces and golden cornflakes tumbled in delicious milk chocolate.

The game has been developed by an expert team, headed up by former Eidos Creative Director Patrick O’Luanaigh, who has worked on twelve worldwide number-one selling games over the last fourteen years.

Past successes have included overseeing a return to form for the Lara Croft franchise with Tomb Raider Legend, two Conflict: Desert Storm games that have sold well over 3.5 million copies, and Xi, the first console ‘Alternate Reality Game’, which had over six million visits in the first six months.

Patrick moved from Eidos to become CEO of nDreams in 2007, and has brought the same instinctive flair for creating addictive games that led to these hits to the development of Friday Town.

Ross Farquhar, brand manager for Crunchie, comments: “People are going to love this game. We’ve deliberately chosen to work with the experts behind some of the biggest gaming success stories of recent years, as we knew they’d be able help us realise our ambition: a truly immersive game with real fun-factor that brings that Friday Feeling to anyone who plays it, any day of the week.”

Patrick O’Luanaigh, CEO of nDreams, adds: “The challenge with Friday Town was creating a genuinely entertaining game that people would want to play, while also delivering an experience that reflected Crunchie’s brand identity. There are so many social games on offer now that having a recognisable name attached isn’t enough to make a game a success on its own. We’re confident that with Friday Town we’ve struck the right balance between exciting gameplay and brand messaging, and we have lots of great things planned as Friday Town grows week by week!”

To take part in this exciting new social game visit Crunchie at Facebook.

Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms takes players to the newly rediscovered continent Zandorya. Here the old kingdom of Dalanis lies in chaos and turmoil with plotters scheming behind the throne of the child-king Callaway. Little remains of the old glory of the ruling dynasty from the time of the legendary King Kalume. In total desperation, the people long for the return of the old heroes. So now it’s down to all brave adventurers to support the young regent and bring order to the chaos.

Level 55+ adventurers can already take their first steps into the new kingdom full of intrigue and uprisings when they enter the ‘Thunderhoof Hills’, the first territory in the ‘The Elder Kingdoms’ already launched previously.

Following on to that, the launch of the update on 18th May marks the main release of Runes of Magic ‘Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms’. As early as June, within the framework of the third chapter, there will then be another new territory loaded onto the live servers. Additional content will follow on a monthly cycle.

Runes of Magic has redefined the standard for free-to-play MMORPGs in terms of gameplay, fun and quality. The online role-playing game has an exciting, multi-layered story, driven by more than 2,400 quests set in the fantasy world of Taborea. To date, Runes of Magic has attracted more than three million registered users, making it one of the most successful free-to-play titles on the market, and a must play game for all fans of RPGs and MMO games.

For further information visit the Runes of Magic website.

priston tale 2

Game Bridger Entertainment have announced that the European closed beta test for its highly-anticipated free-to-play MMORPG, Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma, will begin on Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 18:00 GMT.

Players will be able to download the closed beta client early from the new Priston Tale 2 homepage launching April 26th, 2010. To register for a free GamerKraft account visit www.gamerkraft.com.

Matthew Denomme, Marketing Manager for Game Bridger Entertainment said;

“We view this closed beta test as an essential part of the Priston Tale 2 launch, throughout the beta, we will be carefully analyzing feedback from players in order to further improve and polish the game as we approach release.”

Priston Tale 2 is the sequel to YD Online’s smash-hit MMORPG, Priston Tale, one of the first MMORPGs to transcend the Korean market and capture a worldwide player base. Featuring high-quality graphics through the power of the Unreal Engine, Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma makes its triumphant return to European audiences on GamerKraft, introducing innovative new gameplay systems and extensive community features.

Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma is a free fantasy MMORPG for Windows PCs supporting Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Players venture across the vast and wondrous continent of Priston, currently under siege from the forces of the evil god Midranda, in a race to locate the only worldly power capable of ending his evil reign: the mythical Second Enigma.

Priston Tale 2 features three unique races of playable characters, a combo-based active battle system, competitive player versus player combat, new skill and item systems, and extensive guild and party support. All this, in addition to slick, high-quality graphics made possible through the power of the Unreal Engine. Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma is a part of the GamerKraft library of free games.

GamerKraft will launch with Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma as its flagship title in April 2010. In preparation for the game’s launch, GamerKraft and Priston Tale 2 communities have been set up on the web’s most popular social networks, where excited fans can follow the latest updates surrounding the closed beta launch of the new game and platform.

Launching with the highly-anticipated, Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma, from acclaimed developer, YD Online, GamerKraft is poised to ascend the global gaming landscape.

Marketing Manager for Game Bridger Entertainment Ltd,  Matthew Denomme, commented on the launch;

“We’ve worked hard to make GamerKraft a platform worthy of Priston Tale 2’s high quality. Finally, we are ready to offer the loyal legion of Priston Tale fans out there the sequel experience they have so long anticipated and deserved. Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma will launch in closed beta on GamerKraft in April 2010.”

Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma is a free fantasy MMORPG for Windows PCs supporting Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7. Players venture across the vast and wondrous continent of Priston, currently under siege from the forces of the evil god Midranda, in a race to locate the only worldly power capable of ending his evil reign: the legendary Second Enigma.

Priston Tale 2 features three unique races of playable characters, a combo-based active battle system, competitive player versus player combat, new skill and item systems, and extensive guild and party support. All this, in addition to slick, high-quality graphics made possible through the power of the Unreal Engine. Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma is a part of the GamerKraft library of free games. GamerKraft. Play Free.

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.”

The freebe will be available at the FreeWallaceandGromit website from November 4th until Monday November 9th.

In Muzzled! town newcomer, Monty Muzzle, is holding a fundraiser to rebuild the local dog shelter. Gromit soon realizes that Muzzle’s intentions aren’t exactly charitable and he must foil the huckster’s plot to save the town’s investment and rescue his canine friends.

In the review for Muzzled!, Armchair Empire hails the game as the best episode to that point with “strong story (a hallmark of all three episodes), a refreshing setting change to the carnival grounds, and a starring role for Gromit.”  Gamervision said of Muzzled!, “The humor is spot on, the new characters and locations are entertaining, and it’s obvious that Telltale has really found the niche into which Wallace and Gromit’s story fits.”

In addition the full four-episode PC season of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures will be discounted to $20 (roughly £12 GBP) from $34.95 USD for these same dates in honor of the eccentric inventor and his canine companion’s two decade milestone.

Other Wallace & Gromit gaming news includes the XBLA launch of all four episodes of Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures, which will be available on Xbox LIVE® Arcade November 4, selling for 800 Microsoft Points each. The episodes, along with a premium theme and new gamer pics will be available on a special Wallace & Gromit branded destination page on Xbox LIVE Arcade.

Charity Drive - From November 4-8, Telltale is partnering with Wallace & Gromit Children’s Foundation and Penny Arcade’s Child’s Play, making donations to the charities for each full Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures PC season purchased. Telltale is also giving away free digital versions of the games to the children’s hospitals supported by the charities.

Collector’s DVD – Order taking begins November 4 for the Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Adventures full season collector’s DVD for PC, which features all four episodes, behind the scenes videos, Aardman Animation’s Cracking Contraptions animated shorts, game trailers and full galleries from the making of the game, which include never-before-seen concept art.

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.

Doritos has announced a groundbreaking integrated campaign to support the launch of its new limited edition mystery flavour, ‘iD3’.

Consumers are invited to name the mystery flavour at the Doritos website for the chance to win £20,000 and if you continue the adventure there are hundreds of other prizes to be won along the way.

Once online, the player becomes the hero in an interactive online adventure, going undercover to help unlock the truth behind a case of mistaken identity.  Shot from point of view, the player has to make choices along the way to decide their fate in this ‘Choose your own adventure’.  As they navigate their way through three time-released episodes, players can update their ‘lives’ with unique codes from promotional packs, and also have the opportunity to win spot prizes seeded throughout, courtesy of promotional partner O2. Prizes include mobile phones, laptops and O2 gig tickets.

Complete all three episodes and you have the chance to go on to the ultimate LIVE: Choose Your Own Adventure with a cash prize of £50,000 to be won.

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.