RealView to expand Depth-Enhancing Technology at E3

In Las Vegas RealView debuted at CES. The company had an award winning presence at Retail Vision in London as well. RealView plans to officially introduce their Depth-Enhancing Technology at E3 June 15-17 in Los Angeles. This Depth-Enhancing Technology from RealView offers an immersive viewing experience by enhancing depth cues in existing images.

The V-Screen, launched at CES, for PSP was praised as this year’s “Hottest Gadgets”. As well as being named “Best in Show” at this year’s Retail Vision Europe. At E3 RealView will be displaying the V-screen for Sony PSP, the Deep Screen for monitors and large displays, and accessories for the iPhone and iTouch.

The most significant aspect of the RealView Depth-Enhancing Technology is that there are no glasses or special software required. It’s ready-to-use with any existing content including DVDs and old school games.

RealView Innovations Depth-Enhancing products will be on display at Booth #5654 West Hall during E3 June 15-17 2010.

read more...

Jason West and Vince Zampella form 'Respawn Entertainment'

Yesterday, Jason West and Vince Zampella, creators of the multi-billion dollar Call of Duty® franchise, announced the formation of a new development studio -- Respawn Entertainment. The move positions the Respawn Entertainment leadership team as the owners of the intellectual property they create. The company will focus on creating state-of-the-art gaming experiences for global audiences. The studio is currently assembling a world-class team of designers, artists and engineers. Applicants can submit resumes to jobs@respawn.com.

Respawn is pleased to also announce that it has awarded Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), through the distinguished EA Partners program, exclusive worldwide publishing and distribution rights to future games. Terms were not disclosed. West and Zampella are represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

“Respawn Entertainment marks a fresh start for Jason and me,” said Vince Zampella, General Manager of Respawn Entertainment. “For the past decade we led a great development team and poured our hearts into creating an epic game franchise. We’re very proud of what we built – and proud that so many millions of fans enjoyed those games. Today we hope to do it all over again -- open a new studio, hire a great team, and create brand new games with a new partner, EA.”

“We’re excited,” added Jason West, President of Respawn Entertainment. "Now that the team is in control of the games and brands, we can ensure that the fans are treated as well as they deserve."

Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label commented, “This is the start of a great publishing partnership – one that I expect will develop blockbuster game franchises. Jason and Vince are two of the top creative leaders in the entertainment industry. At EA, we’re honored to be their partners and to give them the support they need to hire a team and return to making incredible games.”

read more...

Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma

Game Bridger Entertainment LTD., a global publisher and distributor of interactive online entertainment media, unveiled today the name of its new free-to-play games portal, GamerKraft, and the long-anticipated return of Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma to European audiences. 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. To find out more about GamerKraft and the launch of Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma, visit: www.gamerkraft.com and www.pristontale2.com.

GamerKraft is a global gaming platform where players can download and play free online games, meet friends, and embark on exciting adventures in fantastic virtual worlds. 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.”

In preparation for the launch of this exciting new games platform, GamerKraft and Priston Tale 2 communities have been set up on popular social networks, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Xfire. Players that join any of the above communities will automatically receive the latest updates surrounding Priston Tale 2’s closed beta release, as well as the opportunity to participate in exciting pre-release contests and events. Fans who wish to follow the latest details surrounding the launch of GamerKraft and Priston Tale 2 can visit www.gamerkraft.com or www.pristontale2.com to find links to all the social network communities listed above, in addition to an exciting new teaser trailer depicting the “rebirth” of Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma.

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.

Priston Tale 2: The Second Enigma is free-to-download-and-play. Visit the Priston Tale 2 homepage at: http://www.pristontale2.com.

For more information about the GamerKraft free-to-play games platform please visit www.gamekraft.com.

read more...

Wargods Online

Enigma Games, Inc. has begun the 14 month celebration of their popular online rpg Wargods Online. The theme for this month is Community. Highlights include pets assisting players with great achievements and faction leaders testing followers with tasks. Invading the game are great warriors from the past who have returned as zombies.

"This month we focus on strengthening the bonds between players,” said President and CEO Xavier Moore. “New friendships and rivalries will be formed through group tasks while retired players will be honored by becoming permanent characters within the game."

Wargods Online is a popular social networking game on MySpace and Facebook, and offers something for social gamers at all levels. Simple game play options allow newcomers and casual players to catch on quickly. Mastering the game, however, will challenge even the most advanced players.

The celebration is a feature unique to Wargods Online. Other features include a chat room where players can discuss tactics and form alliances, in-depth character customization, and ninjas.

In its first 12 months, the Wargods Online franchise expanded to include a subscription service and a collectible card game. Continued growth will be seen with the release of a mobile version for BlackBerry, iPhone and Windows Mobile. This will create a third world and signal the start of a 3-way world war between the three platforms.

To join the battle, go to http://www.wargods-online.com.

read more...

THE BULLETSTORM: A Blood Symphony of Gunplay and Carnage

Guildford, UK – April 12, 2010 – Epic Games, People Can Fly and Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today confirmed the development of Bulletstorm, a new original intellectual property from the teams behind the award-winning, multiple million-selling Gears of War, Unreal Tournament and Painkiller series of games. Set to release in 2011, Bulletstorm brings new furor to first-person shooter action with its signature ‘kill with skill’ gameplay, which is packed with blockbuster moments.

“Bulletstorm is the kind of game we love to make because it's pure, unadulterated entertainment,” said Epic Games President Dr. Michael Capps. “People Can Fly has created a wildly fun first-person shooter that looks gorgeous running on the latest Unreal Engine 3 technology, and the skillshot system is a welcome addition to the genre. We can’t wait to see how everyone reacts to seeing Bulletstorm.”

Bulletstorm tells the story of a futuristic confederation protected by an elite band of mercenaries: Dead Echo. When Dead Echo members Grayson Hunt and Ishi Sato learn they've been working for the wrong side, they're betrayed by their commander and exiled to the far reaches of the galaxy. In Bulletstorm, Grayson and Ishi find themselves surrounded by hordes of mutants and flesh eating gangs in an abandoned paradise. They have two objectives: get off the planet alive, and exact revenge on the man who sent them there.

Players step into the role of Grayson Hunt complete with an arsenal of over-the-top combat moves and outrageously large guns. Bulletstorm’s array of distinct ‘skillshots’ produces unprecedented levels of frantic gameplay and yell-inducing satisfaction. The skillshot system rewards players for inciting mayhem in the most creative way possible. The more insane the skillshot, the more points players collects to upgrade their character and unlock weapons, which then allows them to execute even more creative moves and exaggerated skillshots.

“We’re very excited to work with Epic Games and People Can Fly on this new project. The first time we laid eyes on Bulletstorm, we instantly knew this is going to be the next big hit from these two great studios delivering yet again an entirely new experience for shooter fans,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager of EA Partners, David DeMartini.

read more...

“Move” over, Wii?

Sony revealed more information about the Move, their new peripheral, at this year’s GDC. Is their foray into motion control games revolutionary? Or is it merely a “me too” tech, aping the Wii and the Natal?

With the incredible popularity of the Wii and Microsoft’s announcement for their own motion control technology, Sony’s Move is no surprise. It utilizes a controller and a “sub-controller,” much like (exactly like) the Wii’s nunchuk. It also utilizes the Playstation Eye, a mountable tracking camera like the Natal.

On the surface, the Move seems to be the clock-radio of gaming peripherals. Using both these systems creates some very interesting possibilities, some of which were demonstrated at the GDC. Like the Wii, you can hold objects in your hand in a virtual world, but the Move boasts a 1-to-1 tracking ratio. Like the Natal, it can sense the depth of objects in a virtual world.

The possibilities are exciting. It’s a much more sensitive Wii, backed up by much more powerful hardware. Back all THAT up with a company that isn’t afraid to make adult-oriented games, and you get something that might finally make motion control worthwhile from a hardcore gamer’s point of view.

Imagine an HD sword-fighting game that can really sense where you are, and isn’t afraid to show the effects of a slash or thrust in all it’s pleasantly gory detail? Or, using the Move’s precise drawing mechanism, a playable RTS on a console? Or how about any number of physics-based games that require steady hands—not Nintendo’s version, but real steady hands—to play well?

The possibilities are endless—but at this point, it’s up to Sony to show them to us. We didn’t see much new at the GDC from a software standpoint. We saw sports games, party games and the like, but nothing that really seemed to capitalize on the power of the device. The ball is really in Sony’s court to move past the hardware and show us the games.

All in all, it doesn’t look as if Sony hasn’t made anything revolutionary here. But they may have greatly improved on existing devices. New gameplay? No. Better gameplay? Possibly. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

Again, it’s up to Sony to show us the games. But keep this in mind: Clock-radios are really, really popular.

read more...

Star Trek Online - Mr. Daniel's Log Stardate 2010.03-05

I am a Lieutenant Commander on Star Trek Online, and with this in mind it's time to write a little summary of the game so far. To be honest, I'm not well versed in MMORG games. WOW was not my cup of tea, and EVE, although looked cool, I couldn’t be bothered. However, Star Trek Online (STO) is something else. Originally I wasn’t going to play STO, I love the original series, I was in love with what Perpetual had shown us, even though their concept was Post-TNG. Then they all got fired and Cryptic took over. Full of anger, after seeing some of the BETA footage, I wasn’t sold. Only one ship could turn me. Yes, the Constitution Class refit. Is it true? Can I be captain Kirk?

I bought it, signed up, and started playing.

First things first; your character. Deciding to give the MMORG character my name, I thought here is my chance to be a Starship Captain. As normal to MMORG games you will pick your species and your department. I pick human and Tactical. You customize with various traits and then you're off.

One great thing about this game is that you're not stuck with the same uniform as everyone else. There are a few presets which are completely customizable, from the size of your head to the uniform itself. This is a great function. It is almost like the original series where each vessel had its own shield, now you can have your own uniform.

My uniforms mimic TOS, this is as I like is, a friend of mine has department coloured undershirts and a purple and white uniform, I however have black undershirts and TOS coloured tunics, skinny trousers and leather boots. (If you pre-ordered from certain retailers you could get the TWOK uniform, TOS Uniform, DS9 Uniform, or the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 from TOS as your starting vessel)

Next your first ship is commissioned to you after the whole senior crew is wiped out in combat and yes, it’s crap. It’s a customizable Miranda Class (See U.S.S Reliant) and I called mine the Flashpoint. She served me well. Taking good beating, but she wasn’t designed for combat. (Naming your ship can be either easy or complicated, I had been watching Flashpoint starring Donnie Yen.)

I don’t want to go into the story as it would ruin your adventure, but it is fun. This is your chance to live Star Trek without looking like a freak and still having a social life. But be careful, I ended up talking to friends about being attacked my Negh’Var Class cruisers and how a volley of Quantum torpedoes don’t quite do the job. How much I wish I could add phaser cannons to my cruiser so I could take on the Borg on my own. Trek could be my middle name.

After a lot of hard work and exploring I finally have a Constitution Class vessel. She is called the Endeavour. There is a reason for her name, a cookie for anyone who knows why.

Next time I'll be chronicling one of my adventures.

read more...