BT Gold

End2End has announced its acquisition of Terraplay, a provider of connected-gaming services. The deal substantiates End2End’s position at the forefront of developments in the mobile gaming space and allows End2End to offer operators market leading solutions in connected and multiplayer gaming, a fully managed mobile gaming offering, in addition to its full mobile content delivery platform.

End2End’s customer base now includes all the major mobile carriers, including Vodafone, T-Mobile, 3, Orange and O2, and with the mobile gaming market expected to grow from $3 billion at the end of 2006 to $17.5 billion by the end of 2011, the opportunity for those operators is clear. As advancements in technology create an influx of new handsets with improved game graphics and functionality, connected gaming is expected to play a major part as the market grows.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Acquires Terraplay

Oniric Games announces the successful conclusion of the development of Time of War, their latest title for the PC. Time of War is a third person shooter focused on relentless action and addictive gameplay, with hundreds of enemies to combat, a vast arsenal at the player’s disposal and explosions everywhere. Development has concluded on time and on budget and Oniric Games is now looking for strategic partners to take the game to retail markets around the world.

…Sixcorp has issued an ultimatum: all world nations are to surrender power to them or they will use cyber energy, their devastating new technology, to wipe out all of the world’s major capitals. The player’s mission as elite soldier Sean Harmmor is to lead a special task force created by the World Alliance to put an end to the threat. In his boots, players will have to face dangerous opponents each step of the way, but will have a special weapon on their side: cyber energy. Harmmor’s cyborg arm gives him the ability to turn Sixcorp’s development against them. Using the vast arsenal at their disposal and Harmmor’s special cyber powers, players will have to infiltrate Sixcorp’s bases and battle with heavily armed soldiers and high tech weaponry and defense systems in a quest against time to undermine Sixcorp’s military superiority and bring world powers back into balance.

Time of War is a shooter with a twist. The core gameplay is strongly focused on providing an unrelenting action experience. With hundreds of enemies to combat and vehicles and structures to blow up, shots and explosions are there all the time, keeping things fun for the player. All this is spiced up with cyber energy, which the player can collect from destroyed enemies and channel into special powers. Cyber energy is an innovative element that is completely integrated into the title’s gameplay and presents an interesting variation to the genre’s standards.

Features:
¡¤ Relentless shooter action with non-linear gameplay.
¡¤ Control numerous powerful weapons and special cyber-powers.
¡¤ Destructible environments in 3D with realistic physics.
¡¤ Varied missions with multiple objectives and lots of secrets to discover.
¡¤ Harness the power of cyber-energy and channel it in devastating special attacks.
¡¤ Dive into a fascinating story and find out all the secrets behind Sixcorp’s high tech developments.

Oniric Games already has publishing deals in place for this title and are actively seeking for other publishing partners interested in taking this shooter to the worldwide retail markets.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: War

Jesper Kyd has composed and produced a dark and distorted soundtrack for Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, a gritty, character-driven third person action shooter from the creators of Hitman, IO Interactive. Kyd’s intense cinematic score is a cohesive and hard-hitting combo of scar-edged melodic soundscapes and subversive action-driven grooves that portray the twisted and emotionally driven story of the two lead characters, Kane and Lynch, a flawed mercenary and a medicated psychopath ¨C forced together but hating each other every step of the way. Kane & Lynch: Dead Men will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC Games for Windows in November, 2007.

To achieve the right kind of musical tonality for Kane & Lynch: Dead Men, Kyd’s foreboding and graphic score is as relentlessly intense and unforgiving in its attitude as the violent rage of Kane and Lynch on their destructive path of redemption and revenge. Delivering a masterful mix of melodic and sublime atmospherics, explosive electronic beats intoxicated with musical distortion and strewn with hardcore industrial guitar sounds, Kyd pushes the immersion factor and displays the main characters’ flaws, anger and pain in his echoing themes embedded with haunting vocals, heavily processed synth ambience, ethnic instrumentation and other multi-layered sounds.

Best known for his epic choral/orchestral and edgy electronic scores for the multi-million selling Hitman series, Jesper Kyd’s unique fusion of cinematic scoring techniques and minimalist electronic music for Hitman: Contracts won Best Original Music at the BAFTA Games Awards and his stylish symphonic hybrid score for Hitman: Blood Money was awarded Best Original Score by IGN and nominated for Best Original Video Game Score at the MTV Video Music Awards. His other collaborations with IO Interactive include Hitman: Codename 47, Hitman 2: Silent Assassin and Freedom Fighters, which received GameSpot’s Special Achievement Award for Best Original Music.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Dead Men

Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, has announced the launch of Crash of the Titans for mobile phones, the latest installment of the Crash Bandicoot video game franchise. Crash of the Titans is now available on mobile phones throughout Europe and will be available in November in North America.

Crash of the Titans for mobile features Crash Bandicoot demonstrating awesome new fighting abilities as players battle a nefarious plot hatched by Crash’s arch nemeses, Neo and Nina Cortex, to mutate the local creatures into titanic abominations. Using Crash’s legendary mix of outrageous antics and daredevil bravado, players will “hijack” enemies to take control of their action and use their fearsome powers against enemies.

Players can control up to 15 enemies each with their own attacks and special moves. During a fight, players can leap onto an enemy, slam Crash’s magical mask over his face, and with the “hijack” complete the enemy is now under the player’s control.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Mobile Phones

Nintendo of America announces the hiring of two new executive vice presidents. Cammie Dunaway will serve as the company’s new executive vice president, sales & marketing, while Shigeyuki Takahashi will serve as executive vice president, special assignment. Dunaway will report to Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s president and chief operating officer, while Takahashi will report to Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo of America’s chairman and chief executive officer. Both executives will work from Nintendo’s new Silicon Valley offices in Redwood Shores, Calif.

Effective Nov. 5, Dunaway will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities for Nintendo in the United States, Canada and Latin America, filling the position vacated when Fils-Aime was promoted to his current positions in May 2006.

Dunaway has more than 20 years of marketing and sales experience, most recently as chief marketing officer for Yahoo!, where she was responsible for leading Yahoo!’s worldwide branding efforts and driving the company’s product-marketing initiatives.

Dunaway oversaw Yahoo!’s tremendously successful 10-year anniversary campaign, which earned a 2006 Gold Reggie Award from the Promotional Marketing Association. She was named one of the 100 Top Marketers by Advertising Age and led Yahoo! to widespread industry recognition, including Clio Awards, Obie Awards, the Promo PRO Awards and the DMA Marketer of the Year Award for 2006. Prior to joining Yahoo!, Dunaway spent 13 years at Frito-Lay, supervising prominent brands.

Dunaway holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Richmond and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. She serves on the board of directors of Brunswick, Inc. She is also on the board of Junior Achievement of Silicon Valley, and was recently elected by her peers to the board of the American Marketing Association.

Effective Nov. 1, Takahashi will conduct special research activities and provide perspective to the sales and marketing department using his accumulated knowledge. He also will support Kimishima regarding Nintendo’s future business expansion plans. Takahashi joined Nintendo in 2006 and most recently served as the president of Nintendo Research Inc., where he was in charge of exploring and conducting research activities for Nintendo’s future business expansion in North America.

Takahashi graduated from the Law Department of Tokyo University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in public law. Until he joined Nintendo, he worked for Sanwa Bank (now UFJ bank) for 30 years. During his tenure with Sanwa Bank, he obtained a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Law School. Takahashi also worked in New York for two years as an international banking business manager.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: New EVPs

Codemasters Online announces that an all-new world server has been opened for the 100% free MMORPG RF Online. The new world “Lumen” opens as demand for the game hits an all time high with thousands of new players joining the service every day since the switch to free-to-play last week.

RF Online is a free-to-play MMORPG that delivers an epic mix of traditional fantasy and futuristic sci-fi. Set in the deep space galaxy of Novus, three races compete in an ultimate struggle for power and resource. Celebrating the game’s re-launch, new players can now also experience the expansion, Episode II: Pioneers of Novus available for free to all players of the game.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: New World

In this short-but-sweet edition of MMOWTF, Dan Fortier takes a swing at what he calls “kiddie MMOs”, friendship meters, decorating contests and the like.

Editor’s Note: This is an edition of a weekly column by Staff Writer Dan Fortier. The column is called “MMOWTF” and will look at some of the stranger or more frustrating events in MMOs as seen by Mr. Fortier. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of MMORPG.com, its staff or management.

That’s right…I said it. Happy Games make me want to kill. If that isn’t clear enough let me put a finer point on it: Games that involve cartoon characters, emasculated male avatars, sparkly music and non-violent ways to compete with fellow players send me into a murderous rage that typically involves turning green and huffing paint. There is just something about really big eyes and a small mouth that gets my adrenaline pumping and makes me want to inflict serious virtual damage on people and property. This week, I take my impotent aggression out on kiddie MMOs and the adults who keep them profitable. Yar!

It seems that a month doesn’t go by in which an MMO that caters to kids (and the people that stalk them) is released. A fair portion of these titles are imported from counties that literally crank out these games in a non-stop stream. The ones that make it to our side of the pond are usually poorly translated and virtually carbon copies of each other minus a title and a quickly assembled backstory pasted haphazardly onto the genre of choice. Is this some kind of payback for something we did wrong in a past life?

The ‘features’ generally include elements such as Friendship Meters, Decorating Contests, Customizable Pets and, of course, an Item Mall. The games are typically free and cater to kids who *boohoo* can’t afford a monthly subscription. Maybe all that aerosol I sniffed wiped my memory but I don’t ever recall enjoying anything so devoid of testosterone. When I was a kid we had He-Man and G.I. Joe who ran around being tough while my little sister watched My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake. When did this distinction begin to blur?

Why do these games get my panties in a bunch? What’s the big deal if some folks enjoy playing a game that doesn’t have a mature rating and spray blood every time you take a step? I’ll tell you why. Being an outspoken promoter of the MMO genre, I feel ashamed and insulted that someone on the outside might associate these types of games with my beloved virtual drug of choice. It’s like explaining to some people about a D&D game that you run and having them stop you halfway and asking “Oh…Is this like the game where you dress like a Vampire and run around the streets?”

Nothing I say or do will stem this tide of androgyny, but I really needed to get this off my chest. If you want to join the fight against happy games then do so at your own risk. After all, we’re a minority. Keep the faith brothers and fight the good fight!

This concludes my weekly waste of column space. Tune in next week as I travel to Africa in search of the deadly Ebola virus¡­ and find it! If you have a cute reply to this week’s topic please post it…the world needs more cute. Peace out.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Happy Games, Want to Kill

Turbine and Codemasters Online Gaming announce that Book 11: Defenders of Eriador, the third free content update for subscribers to The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, has gone live in North America. Book 11 continues the epic story of The Lord of the Rings Online by adding over 100 new quests, a new 12-player raid, two new areas in Middle-earth and introducing the player housing system.

The Lord of the Rings Online delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most beloved fantasy adventure of all time. From the quaint surroundings of the Shire to Angmar, the vile kingdom of the Witch-king, players will experience the world of Middle-earth as never before.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Online Released

Electronic announces that Burnout Paradise will be in stores January 22, 2008 in North America. Experience a piece of Paradise City by downloading the demo this December on the PlayStation Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace. Designed specifically for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 videogame system, Burnout Paradise delivers true open world freedom and sets a new standard for online social gameplay. Brought to you by EA Criterion, Burnout Paradise is redefining the open world experience with Paradise City, a freshly designed playground filled with the most exciting jumps, gripping races and unrivalled excitement at every intersection. Players will have total freedom to explore and discover the world at their leisure, just pull up to any stoplight and spin your wheels to enter five high speed action challenges. Slam, shunt and wreck rivals in these cross-town driving challenges, where players decide the fastest route to the finish line.

Download your gift a little early this holiday season. From Motor City to Big Surf Beach pull off wicked stunts in the all-new Stunt mode and race through the streets in search of the fastest Burnout Route in the Hunter Cavalry car. Invite a friend into your game and connect with them instantly to complete three online challenges or simply smash each other up and grab your friend’s Burnout Mugshot. Available this December, the Burnout Paradise demo provides the ultimate driving playground for you and your friends to enjoy.

Earlier this year, EA unleashed a pre-order program for Burnout Paradise with GameStop, one of the biggest video game retailers in America. Early GameStop customers will receive an exclusive car, “Steel Wheels”, to smash the competition with two and a half tons of heavy-metal mayhem. The heavily modified Steel Wheels GT concept car was designed from the ground up specifically for the celebrity with style. Featuring armor-plating and a supercharged 6735cc V8, this car is sure to make a grand entrance at any premiere.

Burnout Paradise has been rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: Burnout Paradise

This year’s spooky event has arrived! A few months ago we posted a Guaranteed Content Poll on the website allowing you to choose the nature of the Hallowe’en event and the rewards you’d get. After working our fingers to the bone we’ve made something to meet all of your wishes!

The Grim Reaper has opened up his house for this special occasion. His previous servant has taken a turn for the worse and the Reaper has applied for a new assistant to help with his household chores. Now, when we say ‘household chores’, don’t go expecting to be polishing furniture, ironing or mopping the floor – you’ll be clambering through a maze of cobwebs, avoiding traps, wading through goo and trying to avoid getting eaten by his pet hellhound, Muncher.

It’s a safe event, so don’t worry about losing items. Don’t expect any hospitable treatment either, as the Reaper is not much of a host; in fact, some would say he’s bone idle!

You’ll find the entrance to the house in the form of a portal, south of Falador and near the elemental wizards. So, turn down the lights, pump up the volume and be prepared for a house of chills, thrills and some rather silly fun!

The Hallowe’en 2007 event is open to both free-to-play and members.

Summar

Where to start Hallowe’en Event 2007

The black POH portal south of Falador, near the elemental wizards.

Access to
A large mansion, the size of Edgeville
3 tasks to complete around the mansion
A variety of things to explore
New item and emote!

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In other news…

Similar to last week’s magic tree changes, we’ve adjusted the sounds made when Fishing to be less distracting. In busy Fishing areas, such as Catherby, this was particularly apparent.

We’ve adjusted the attack styles for two-handed swords. The chop button on the combat interface is now a slash attack, instead of its usual stab attack. This affects two-handed swords from bronze through to dragon, and also the godsword.

written by BTGold.com \\ tags: RS