Week of July 1, 2007

Friday 6th July/...SouthPeak Games has confirmed details of the special collector’s editions for Two Worlds, its upcoming epic free-roaming RPG. Due for release in August for PC and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft®, the collector’s editions come with an exclusive holographic slipcase and a host of additional goodies.

Both formats will include a huge A2-sized map of Two Worlds’ expansive kingdom and a bonus disc containing the game’s soundtrack, along with a selection of additional media and a complete fan-site kit for truly dedicated owners. Rounding off the shared items is a stunning 72-page RPG sourcebook, allowing players to create their own Two Worlds adventures wherever they can roll a set of dice.

The PC version, which is exclusive to GAME, will feature access codes for downloadable content including exclusive weaponry in the form of a legendary sword and shield. Xbox 360 owners will benefit from a free 48-hour Gold membership to the Xbox LIVE® online game service, meaning no one will have to miss out on Two Worlds’ ground breaking multiplayer mode.

Melanie Mroz, Executive Vice President, SouthPeak Games comments: “We want RPG fans to get the best possible experience when they buy the Two Worlds Collector’s Edition. The RPG sourcebook is completely unique – no other free-roaming RPG has allowed players to explore its fantasy universe beyond the virtual world in quite this way. We know dedicated fans are going to love it when the Two Worlds Collector’s Edition hits the shelves in August.”

Two Worlds will be released for Xbox 360 and PC in August 2007.

Though about a week old, we have four screenshots of Condemned 2: Bloodshot. A personal favorite of mine, the sequel is coming to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Peter Moore, what do you have to say for yourself now.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that it will expand its global Xbox 360™ warranty coverage. Any Xbox 360 customer who experiences a general hardware failure indicated by three flashing red lights will now be covered by a three year warranty from date of purchase. All other existing Xbox 360 warranty policies remain in place.

As a result of what Microsoft views as an unacceptable number of repairs to Xbox 360 consoles, the company conducted extensive investigations into potential sources of general hardware failures. Having identified a number of factors which can cause general hardware failures indicated by three red flashing lights on the console, Microsoft has made improvements to the console and is enhancing its Xbox 360 warranty policy for existing and new customers.

Microsoft stands behind its products and is taking responsibility to repair or replace any Xbox 360 console that experiences the “three flashing red lights” error message within three years from time of purchase free of charge, including shipping costs. Microsoft will take a $1.05 billion to $1.15 billion pre-tax charge to earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 for anticipated costs under its current and enhanced Xbox 360 policies.

"The majority of Xbox 360 owners are having a great experience with their console and have from day one. But, this problem has caused frustration for some of our customers and for that, we sincerely apologize,” said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft’s Entertainment & Devices Division. “We value our community tremendously and look at this as an investment in our customer base. We look forward to great things to come.”

For any customer who has previously paid for repair expenses related to the three flashing lights error message on the Xbox 360 console, Microsoft will retroactively reimburse them.

At 2:30 p.m. PDT today, Microsoft will hold a teleconference for financial analysts and investors with Robbie Bach, president of Entertainment and Devices, Chris Liddell, senior vice president and chief financial officer, and Frank Brod, corporate vice president and chief accounting officer to discuss today’s announcement. To participate, U.S. residents can dial +1-888-459-9165, and those outside the United States can dial +1-773-799-3324. The passcode is MSFT. The call will be available for playback beginning approximately one hour after the conclusion of the call through 5 p.m. PDT on Thursday, July 12. To access the playback, U.S. residents can dial +1-866-363-4143, and those outside the United States can dial +1-203-369-0210. An audio webcast of the conference call will also be made available at the Investor Relations site at http://www.microsoft.com/msft.

Midway has released two new screens and a gameplay trailer of Blacksite: Area 51, their sci-fi FPS coming to the PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.

Our friends at Akella send word that the product page for Heavy Duty has been updated, their upcoming action game. The page adds a handful of new screenshots for you to see.

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Here are six new reviews we weren't able to finish in time for the last round:

The benchmark for the first person shooter genre is set to reach new heights in summer 2008 when burgeoning publisher Ghostlight unleashes “To End All WarsTM” onto the global battlefield.

Set in the war-torn trenches of World War I Europe, “To End All Wars” will deliver unrivalled atmosphere and realism, bringing the mud strewn horror of this most desperate of conflicts to the PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360TM formats using Epic’s Unreal® Engine 3 technology.

To ensure the title delivers on its promise, UK developer Kuju will take care of development duties through its’ newly appointed Chemistry studio. “By blending Kuju’s specialism on Unreal Engine with this great theme we’ve created a new & exciting formula for an amazing game experience that brings to life the visceral and demanding struggle that was The Great War” comments Studio Head Simeon Pashley.

The authenticity of the conflict has been put at the heart of the project. Period locations will be recreated in lavish detail, only weaponry of the time will be available and character design will reflect the uniforms and style of the era. Crucially the experience of the gritty combat in the trenches, the fear of charging across no man’s land, deadly secret excursions to enemy outposts in the dead of night and the heart stopping terror of pounding artillery guns will be central to the gaming experience.

Vivendi games released ten new images of their RTS World in Conflict, due out later this year for the PC and Xbox 360.

Gammick's product page for Shadows of War is online with six screenshots and a video showing off the upcoming strategy game.

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A clever fella has started up a website called wwwPS3Tags.com. After signing up with them (its free!), you can create your PlayStation 3 from a variety of backgrounds, colors, and layouts. Every game released thus far is represented by an icon. If you're a PlayStation 3 owner you owe it to yourself to go and create one of these sweet tags.

We've added a PS3Tags button on the left to help them in their endeavors.

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I've included mine to show you what it can look like:

The official website for Empire Above All, Akella's upcoming strategy game for the PC, has been updated with new screenshots. Hit the link to learn more about the game watch the trailer.

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NCsoft released another round of screenshots for Tabula Rasa, Richard Garriott's MMO Shooter.

Game publisher Meridian4 and developer Rebelmind are pleased to announce the signing of a North American publishing agreement to publish their new Action/RPG; The Chosen – Well of Souls.

Choose your hero and journey forth in the ultimate action role-playing quest that pits you against an army of demons and devils like no other. Hell-bent and determined to take over the world, the powerful sorcerer Marcus Dominus Ingens has recruited the souls of ancient alchemists to aid in his destruction. Get ready for an unparalleled action role-playing experience that combines gruesome, action-packed battles with a deep, involving storyline set in the turn of the 19th century.

Here are the three new games available from the Wii Virtual Channel:

Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES(R), 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points)

Ecco: The Tides of Time (Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E for Everyone, 800 Wii Points)

DRAGON SPIRIT (TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone - Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points)

The official site will give you a first look at this graphically stunning RPG from NAMCO BANDAI Games and features the newly released trailer, as well as an overview of the story, characters, features and even a downloadable fan kit.

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