EA has decided to put this year's Stanley Cup Finals through NHL '07. They may have gotten game one wrong, but see how they predict the rest of the series:

Game One - Anaheim over Ottawa 2-0

Goals / Assists
Ott - none
Ana - Teemu Selanne / Andy McDonald, Scott Miedermayer
Travis Moen / Chris Pronger

Shots
Ott – 31
Ana – 38

PPG/PP
Ott – 0/7
Ana – 0/4

First Star – JS Giguere (Ana)
Second Star – Ray Emery (Ott)
Third Star – Teemu Selanne (Ana)

Teemu Selanne breaks through the Ottawa defense and scores the game winner

Recap - It was a battle of goaltenders in game one with neither team scoring in the first two periods as Jean-Sebastian Giguere and Ray Emery gave notice to anyone thinking this was going to be a high scoring affair. Both teams had a number of opportunities to score with the extra attacker as and even with a two minute two-man power play advantage in the second period, Ottawa was unable to beat Giguere who robbed Jason Spezza on a one-timer in close. It wasn't until the third period when Teemu Selanne broke loose and put a wrist shot underneath the pad of Ray Emery to put the home side up by a goal. Travis Moen added an empty net as the home side took game one by a final of 2-0.

Game Two - Ottawa over Anaheim 2-1

Goals / Assists
Ott – Mike Fisher / unassisted, Jason Spezza / Dany Heatley
Ana – Andy McDonald / Brad May

Shots
Ott – 43
Ana – 31

PPG/PP
Ott – 0/3
Ana – 0/4

First Star – Ray Emery (Ott)
Second Star – Mike Fisher (Ott)
Third Star – Jason Spezza (Ott)

Jason Spezza with a shot on JS Giguere

Recap - Ottawa came out shooting in game two with 16 shots in the first period alone compared to only 6 from the home side. Giguere continued to make outstanding saves in the first, but early in the second, the Sen’s relentless offense was rewarded with an outstanding individual effort from Mike Fisher, who intercepted a cross-ice pass in the neutral zone and deked out Scott Niedermayer before finally beating the Ducks netminder under his blocker for a 1-0 lead. Anaheim stormed back tying the game at one goal a piece when Brad May made his presence felt with a big hit forechecking and centering to Andy McDonald late in a shift. With 8 minutes left in the third period though, Ottawa broke the tie when Jason Spezza took a cross-ice pass from Dany Heatley, broke down the left wing into the slot and slapped a shot through the 5-hole to put the Sens up 2-1. With Giguere pulled in the final minute, the Ducks poured on the pressure with a few great scoring opportunities but could not beat Emery who shut the door in the third garnering him First Star status and a series split going back to Ottawa.

Game Three - Ottawa over Anaheim 3-2

Goals / Assists
Ott – Mike Comrie (PPG) / Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Phillips; Joseph Corvo / Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza; Peter Schaefer (PPG) / Mike Fisher;
Ana – Ryan Getzlaf / Teemu Selanne, Rob Niedermayer / Teemu Selanne, Samuel Pahlsson

Shots
Ott – 38
Ana – 41

PPG/PP
Ott – 2/3
Ana – 1/4

First Star – Ray Emery (Ott)
Second Star – Mike Comrie (Ott)
Third Star – Teemu Selanne (Ana)

Joseph Corvo leans into a shot that gets through a crowd to tie the game at 2

Game Four - Ottawa over Anaheim 3-1

Goals / Assists
Ott – Patrick Eaves / Mike Fisher, Chris Kelly; Dean McAmmond (PPG) / Jason Spezza; Jason Spezza (en)
Ana – Todd Marchant / Andy McDonald, Francois Beauchemin

Shots
Ott – 39
Ana – 33

PPG/PP
Ott – 1/5
Ana – 0/4

First Star – Jason Spezza (Ott)
Second Star – Ray Emery (Ott)
Third Star – Todd Marchant (Ana)

Mike Fisher takes a shot from a sharp angle that doesn’t fool Giguere

Recap - Todd Marchant opened the scoring for the Ducks looking to take the crowd out of the game with an early breakaway and beating Ray Emery gloveside top shelf. But even with the crowd grumbling and still finding their seats, Ottawa charged right back to tie the game up after Mike Fisher found Patrick Eaves in front of the net beating JS Giguere on his first shot as well. Both goalies dug in following the early goals and it wasn’t until the third period when Ottawa would strike again this time it was Jason Spezza finding Dean McAmmond on the power-play for a one-timer putting the home side up by one. Anaheim looked to tie it up in the last minute with the extra attacker, but when Spezza intercepted a cross-ice pass in the Sens zone, it was a few strides and a long shot into an empty net that put iced the game sending the two teams back to Anaheim and the series’ first elimination game.

Game Five - Anaheim over Ottawa 4-2

Goals / Assists
Ott – Daniel Alfredsson / Chris Kelly, Wade Redden, Peter Schaffer / Patrick Eaves
Ana – Teemu Selanne / Andy McDonald, Scott Niedermayer / Ryan Getslaf, Brad May, Ryan Getslaf (en) / unassisted

Shots
Ott – 39
Ana – 33

PPG/PP
Ott – 0/5
Ana– 0/4

First Star – Teemu Selanne (Ana)
Second Star – Ryan Getslaf (Ana)
Third Star – Peter Schaffer (Ott)

Teemu Selanne breaks in two-on-one with a shot easily handled by Ray Emery

Recap - With their backs against the wall, Anaheim pulled out all the stops in the first period with most of the play in the Senators’ zone. The Ducks were rewarded for their efforts with a goal from Teemu Selanne who took a feed from Andy McDonald and snuck one between Emery and the post on a wrap around. After Daniel Alfredsson tied the game up with a shot from the slot, Anaheim came right back when Scott Niedermayer beat Ray Emery who couldn’t see past big Brad May in front of the net. In the second period, Teemu Selanne scored his second of the night taking a long pass from Scott Niedermayer and skating in alone to beat Emery for a 3-1 Ducks lead. Right before the period ended, the Sens were able to close the gap after Patrick Eaves found Peter Schaffer in front of the net for his second goal of the series. After pressing for much of the third the Sens could not find the tying goal and gave up an empty net notch in the final minute to wrap up game 5 and send both teams back to Ottawa.

Game Six - Ottawa over Anaheim 2-1

Goals / Assists
Ott – Daniel Alfredsson / Wade Redden, Joseph Corvo, Dany Heatley / Jason Spezza
Ana – Andy McDonald / Teemu Selanne

Shots
Ott – 41
Ana – 35

PPG/PP
Ott – 1/4
Ana– 0/3

First Star – Ray Emery (Ott)
Second Star – Jason Spezza (Ott)
Third Star – Andy McDonald (Ana)

Ottawa celebrates game 6 victory and bringing the Stanley Cup home to Canada

Recap - Feeding off a frenzied crowd, the hometown Senators stormed out to a blistering pace peppering JS Giguere with a dozen shots in the first 10 minutes of the game. But on Anaheim’s first scoring opportunity halfway into the period, Andy McDonald made good on a one-timer beating Emery from the slot on a pass from linemate Teemu Selanne to put the visitors up 1-0. The Sens were able to tie it up on the power play when Daniel Alfredsson stuffed in a rebound after Giguere kicked out a long shot from Wade Redden right to the sure handed winger. The second period settled nothing and in the third period both teams looked desperate to score the go ahead goal. With less than 6 minutes left in the game, Corey Perry made an untimely pass through the neutral zone that was intercepted by Jason Spezza who was immediately joined by Dany Heatley. With Perry defending between them, Spezza made a beautiful saucer pass over his stick and Heatley made no mistake putting the puck in the back of the net, and lifting the fans out of their seats for good. As he did much of the series, Ray Emery shut the door on the Ducks giving the Senators their first Stanley Cup victory since 1927.

Next Expansion to Feature Asian-Themed Ships, New Faction and Exclusive 10-Masted Chinese Pirate Junk

SAN DIEGO, CA and DENVER, CO – May 25, 2007 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that Pirates of the South China Seas, the fourth expansion for the Pirates Constructible Strategy Game™ (CSG) Online, is currently in development at the company’s Denver studio. Scheduled for a mid-June release, South China Seas brings an Asian flair to this online 3D world of pirates, high seas combat and the search for treasure.

Western fleets are sailing the treasure-rich waters of the South China Seas and a new faction, the Jade Rebellion, has arisen to thwart the advances of imperialist navies. The Jade Rebellion employs two new types of ships – massive six-masted junks and the sturdy and resilient Korean “Turtle” ship. This new faction also introduces some new characters into player fleets; the inscrutable Ms. Cheng, the head of the pirate confederation and widow of the famous pirate warlord Cheng Yi. The Jade Rebellion also features her closest ally, the pirate Chang Pao; together, they’ve defeated every expedition sent out to destroy the Jade Rebellion.

Beginning today, SOE Denver is giving away a special promotional ship in anticipation of the release of the South China Seas expansion. For every ten (10) Pirates CSG Online digital game packs purchased by a player, they will receive the Baochuan, a massive 10-masted Chinese treasure ship – the largest of all the junks. Its size allows players to fit a larger complement of crew members aboard and capitalize on even more crew abilities, such as extra actions and additional moves. The Baochuan holds more cargo than any other ship; with 10 masts, it features four more cannons than the next largest ship, making it a formidable opponent in battle.

South China Seas will also introduce new game-changing events that can twist the outcome of your battles -- duel with your opponents, discover that your looted treasure is fake and summon rolling fog banks. As with all expansions for the Pirates CSG Online, Pirates of the South China Seas can be played as a standalone game, or combined with ships from other expansions. Single game packs contain everything a player needs to plunder the high seas for treasure.

For more information on Pirates of the South China Seas and the Baochuan, visit the website at http://piratesonline.station.sony.com/baochuan. For further details on SOE’s online trading card games, visit www.station.com/strategy.

Labels: Pirates, SOE

If you’ve been racing like a maniac in Burnout Dominator on PSP, here’s the chance to takedown your rivals on two brand new tracks from EA, available free of charge and exclusively by download direct to your PSP.

Available now is Carnival Point: As the late afternoon sun shines overhead, drift around long mountainous bends, hurtle past the sandy beach and wreak havoc in the downtown traffic of a South American metropolis.


Available on 7th June is Red Gate: Race and boost chain your way through the busy streets of an Eastern European city at night.

Compete against the PSP in maniac, road rage or race modes, challenge your friends over Ad-hoc, and set new highs in record breakers mode. And don’t forget to upload your best times and scores to the Burnout Dominator website at www.burnout.ea.com.

European download instructions:

· From the BurnoutHQ menu ingame via a wireless connection

· Direct Download from www.burnout.ea.com

· From www.yourpsp.com


US download instructions:

· From the BurnoutHQ menu ingame via a wireless connection

· From www.ea.com/burnout/dominator/


Burnout Dominator has a E 10+ rating.

KUMA has released a new trailer for DinoHunters’ latest episode - “I 8 NY” - taking gamers on a wild ride through the mean streets of NYC where they face dire situations and dangerous dinosaurs! Showcasing urban warfare with a primitive twist, “I 8 NY” is a custom multiplayer map designed for two-team firefights and free-for-all death matches around familiar New York streets and landmarks.

DinoHunters is a work of fiction that combines hilarious scripted sequences with stimulating first-person shooting. Using the hottest game engine and other sophisticated entertainment tools, DinoHunters combines comedic television-like movies with exciting game play in a revolutionary entertainment package, completely free of charge.

View the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4uNeobovzM

Or download the trailer from our GamesPress site:
http://bhimpact.gamespress.com?p=1&i=522

Play DinoHunters only at Kuma Games: www.KumaGames.com/dino/

WHAT:

Joust™ will allow players to be the ultimate knight in shining armor as they mount their ostrich, grab their lance and battle through hordes of enemy knights! Dreaded lava trolls and pterodactyls are out to defeat players while they are reliving this valiant classic Midway title.

ABOUT JOUST:

A Timeless Classic - Relive the timeless arcade action and simple elegance of one of the classic 80's arcades games.

Simple and Intuitive Gameplay - Defeat all of the enemy knights from a higher jousting point, while avoiding the rapture of creatures such as the dreaded lava trolls or pterodactyl.

Multiplayer Action - Work cooperatively with another player or challenge people from all over the world with the multiplayer functionality. Track your score with online leaderboards to see who the top knight is!

WHEN:

Joust is scheduled to launch in North America on May 24, 2007, on the PLAYSTATION Network for the suggested retail price of $4.99.

Labels: joust, midway, SOE

WHAT: A New Player Race: The Arasai

With Game Update 35 the Arasai race is now available for all those adventurers contemplating the dark side! Maliciously mischievous and down right wicked, the Arasai are the evil answer to the goody two-shoes Fae of Kelethin. These rivals to the loveable, cute and brightly-colored denizens of Faydark, have a sinister look- players will be surprised at how much malice can be forced into such a small package!

And, just in time to create your new Arasai character, GU #35 also includes an additional character slot for all players & two character slots for Station Access subscribers! Go ahead and wreak havoc with your brand new set of wings!

Creation of an Arasai character requires installation of the Echoes of Faydwer expansion pack for EverQuest II, though the city of Neriak and creation of existing races are available to all subscribers.

A New Starting City: Neriak, City of Hate
The lost city of Neriak has been rediscovered! After centuries of war and darkness, Neriak has been uncovered as the new capital of the underground empire of the Dark Elves of Norrath. Also a new starting city for Trolls, Ogres, Ratonga, Iksar and the Arasai, Neriak lies deep under the forest floor of Nektulos and is a full city zone for players new and old to set as their base of operations. New housing is available, with the sadistic culture and atmosphere being just right for folks who like things a bit on the malevolent side!

A New Overland Zone: Darklight Wood
With a full suite of quests that will take new characters from levels 1 – 20, Darklight Wood is an evil doers dream! Buried deep within the forest of Nektulos, Darklight Wood has remained well hidden from prying eyes for over 300 years after the destruction of the First Gate and Neriak's Foreign Quarter. Newly created characters loyal to Neriak will start in Hate's Envy, an outpost in Darklight Wood.

Also, LFG and Moving Improvements, New Rules for PvP!
· A new LFG (Looking For Group) system is available. Find friends, slaughter foes!
· House moves just became less of a chore with the addition of a new moving service!
· PvP players can no longer use zoning to escape combat!

Information on additional enhancements included in GU #35 can be found here.

WHEN: May 23, 2007

WHERE: www.playthefae.com (Free 7-day Trial) ; www.everquest2.com

Labels: everquest 2, SOE

Diamond Bar, California - May 22, 2007 Ultimate Baseball Online, the world's only massively multiplayer online sports game (MMOSG) for baseball, has released the spring edition of UBO 2007, complete with an upgraded graphics engine and incredible new features such as "AI Match," (currently in Beta) which allows individual players (or groups) to take on the CPU in pick up games.

Since the first version of UBO appeared in 2003, players have been asking for an option to play against computer-only teams - for times when they can't find enough human opponents. In the latest edition of Ultimate Baseball Online, individual players or teams can create a pick up game and face off against a completely computer-controlled team. Players can even set the level of difficulty of the AI opponent they're facing. Best of all, in addition to allowing players to practice UBO, players will gain experience while using the AI Match function.
UBO 2007 spring edition will introduce a number of new graphical features, including new animation effects such as auto-replays of homeruns, cut scenes for strikeouts, day and night effects, in-game advertiser graphics, and a brand new UBO stadium. Additional new features include a "Player of the Game" award, wild pitch/hit by pitch animations, mid-career batting/pitching changes, and game score updates and player summaries in the Clubhouse.

Screenshots and video of the newest version of Ultimate Baseball Online 2007 can be found on the MMPR ftp site (http://www.mmpr.com/MMPRFTP/), inside the UBO folder.

WHAT:
Xfire - the seven million strong gaming community – to host chat with outrageous comedian Andy Milonakis on Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT. Star of self-titled series on MTV2 now in its third season, Milonakis is a master at oddball skits, entertaining celebrity guests and orchestrating amusing pranks on the public at large. A spin-off from Milonakis’ hilarious sketches on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Andy Milonakis Show” airs every Saturday at 9:00 PM EDT/PDT on MTV2.

Participating Xfire users will have a chance to win one of 30 prize packs that include a signed copy of The Andy Milonakis Show Quote Book as well as the complete second season DVD set. For more information on Andy’s chat on Xfire visit http://www.xfire.com/cms/xf_andy

WHO:
Andy Milonakis and Xfire gaming community

WHEN:
Wednesday, May 23 at 7:00 PM EDT/4:00 PM PDT

WHERE:
Xfire chat, http://www.xfire.com/cms/xf_andy

LOS ANGELES – May 22, 2007 – The long wait for Nintendo DS™ owners is over as they can now get their hands on their very first NARUTO™ game – Believe it! TOMY Corporation and D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) today announced the release of NARUTO™: Ninja Council 3 for the Nintendo DS™. Based on episodes from VIZ Media’s hit anime series SHONEN JUMP™ NARUTO, the series expands as the third game delivers 27 playable characters and features mission-based gameplay with 62 different missions for up to four players. Available for $29.95 MSRP, the ninja action game utilizes an interchangeable attack system allowing players to combine attack techniques from all available characters to increase their chances of success.

“According to Nintendo the DS is the fastest-selling video game system in the world and it deserves to have a fantastic gaming experience featuring the hottest brand – NARUTO!” said Mark Shinohara, executive vice president, TOMY Corporation. “The great thing for NARUTO fans is that NARUTO: Ninja Council 3 is just the first of three NARUTO games for Nintendo gaming systems scheduled for release in 2007, including NARUTO: Clash of Ninja MVZ (working title) for the Nintendo Wii, in the Fall of 2007.”

“NARUTO: Ninja Council 3 offers more playable characters and gameplay than the first two games in the series,” said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA. “Not only that, it is the perfect game for the DS because the mission based gameplay offers great pick-up and play capabilities that NARUTO fans and gamers alike will love.”

Just like a true ninja, in NARUTO: Ninja Council 3, players will have to attack, defend or defeat as they train hard to perfect their skills in order to progress through the ranks in over 60 missions ranging in difficulty from moderate to challenging. Up to four players (wireless) can choose from 27 different characters with four different playing modes including Timed Mode, Scroll Collection Mode and Head-to-Head Versus Mode.

Labels: d3 publishing, naruto ninja council 3, Nintendo DS

An earthquake of information is building up in the distance, with no intent of slowing down before it comes into contact with our foreheads in what will should be known as the "Blunt Force Trauma Super Smash Bros. Brawl Weekday Updates." What am I talking about, you ask? Well, only the newly launched official website for the upcoming Wii brawler, Super Smash Bros. Brawl. At the top of the front page is a message promising daily weekday updates, for what I can assume is the time being.


Also included with the relaunching of the site are some brand new screens of the game, including the first to display the hit points and life meters fans of the game have grown to look for. You will also find a listing of the musical composers from the gaming world lending their talents to the game, as well as the games they have previously worked on. While this is nothing but wild speculation, you have to wonder if this list is a clever way of hinting at what's to come. You have composers who are listed as working on games from companies such as Sega, Capcom, Square-Enix and even Sony. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to bet at least one of those peeps is remixing music from a game they worked on in the past....


Keep your eyes and ears towards http://www.smashbros.com for all your future SSBB desires!

Labels: nintendo wii, super smash bros brawl

An original title developed specifically for the PSP system, DUNGEON MAKER: HUNTING GROUND offers addictive game play with a simulation dungeon creation element and real-time battles hunting for monsters to collect items, gold, and to fulfill requirements to complete the various quests given by townspeople.

The Story

An ambitious but novice dungeon maker arrives in a small town known to suffer periodic attacks from violent monsters. He buys a vast plot of land at the outskirts of the town to create a grand dungeon in hopes of luring in various enemy monsters which to hunt to collect gold and items. He envisions his complete dungeon to be one so appealing as to lure the legendary Wandering Demon. Defeating this menacing monster would free the townspeople from the fear he casts upon them, while winning acclaim as a true dungeon maker for the "Architect."

The townspeople are initially skeptical about the Architect’s ability to achieve his ultimate goal of building such a dungeon. Over the years, they’ve watched other such dungeon makers arrive with great plans but ultimately fail – falling prey to the very monsters they’ve lured into their dungeons or haphazardly abandoning their creations. However, as the Architect’s dungeon grows and improves, luring rarer and more powerful enemies, and he begins bringing back more valuable treasures, the townspeople begin offering support to his mission. Soon the whole town is involved in the dungeon making process; they give advice about the intricacies of dungeon making, sell crucial items, provide weapons and magic spells, treat the Architect when injured, and request various favors to be completed in the expanding dungeon in exchange for generous rewards.

Whether the growing hopes of the townspeople and the Architect will be realized all depends on the quality of the dungeon he creates and his developing battle skills.

Key Features

* Design and modify a customizable dungeon, floor-by-floor, using simple controls to quickly develop a deep and detailed dungeon.

* Strategically layout and improve your dungeon to maximize its attractiveness and lure in the most sought-after enemies to take their loot.

* Fight real-time battles wielding various melee and ranged weapons, casting magic spells, rendering special attacks, and summoning creatures to defeat the wide variety of monsters including undead creatures, orcs, and dragons.

* Enjoy the vast selection of building materials to customize your dungeon and complete quests to access the rarer items from the wide array of weapons, armors, and accessories to upgrade your warrior.

* Trade dungeons - Utilize network connectivity to trade dungeons with a friend. Show off your dungeon creation skills and explore a friend’s dungeon to see what kind of monsters and treasures lie inside.

DUNGEON MAKER: HUNTING GROUND is scheduled for release in June 2007. The title was released in Japan on September 28, 2006 and developed by Global A Entertainment, Inc. The ESRB rating is E10+.

For more information, check out the recently launched official website for Dungeon Maker at www.dungeonmakerhuntingground.com.

May 18, 2007 San Diego, CA - Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that registration is open for its annual Fan Faire event being held on August 2-4, 2007 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas. The SOE Fan Faire is a real-life social event held annually to allow gamers from around the world the chance to meet in person with other members of their online community. The event is filled with colorful costumes, passionate players and gigabytes of activity, making it the vacation destination of choice for players of SOE’s most popular games. Fan Faire attendees will also be treated to the world debut of SOE’s new online game.

“Fan Faire is an example of SOE’s commitment to our dedicated and passionate fan base of players,” said Alan Crosby, Director of Community Relations, Sony Online Entertainment. “A majority of this year’s attendees will have been actively playing our titles for many years and this event is a terrific opportunity to provide them with a ‘thank you’ in the form of a fun-filled and community-driven weekend experience.”

In addition to enjoying the game-oriented environment, attendees at SOE’s Fan Faire 2007 are scheduled to be treated to a welcome reception at the Rio’s famous Voodoo Lounge, a poolside party, the SOE player ‘Hall of Fame’ inductions and ceremony, and How-To forums, including a special workshop for game enthusiasts interested in breaking into the industry. Fan Faire attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the development teams behind some of the world’s most successful online PC games. With special activities being planned for each game, attendees should quickly fill their schedules. For the first time, this year's SOE Fan Faire will feature Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Star Wars Galaxies and The Matrix Online in addition to EverQuest, EverQuest II, EverQuest Online Adventures and PlanetSide. In addition, Fan Faire plans to showcase a hands-on demo of Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising™, the new massively-multiplayer online game being co-published by Platform Publishing and Perpetual Entertainment, scheduled for release this fall.

This year’s Fan Fair promises to deliver a weekend packed with activities and adventure for everyone ranging from casual gaming fans to entire guilds of vacationing gamers who bring their whole family along on this quest for excitement. Game-related activities will include tournaments of multiple SOE titles, costume contests, a silent auction for game memorabilia, real-life quests throughout the venue, and exclusive ‘sneak peeks’ at upcoming products from SOE. With attendance projected to be in excess of 1500 of gaming’s most dedicated fans, Fan Faire 2007 will be the vacation destination of choice for online gaming enthusiasts.

For more information on Sony Online Entertainment’s Fan Faire 2007 or to register visit: www.soefanfaire.com.

Newport Beach, Calif.- May 16, 2007 Crave Entertainment, a leading publisher of console videogames for the casual gamer, today announced that Sudokuro for the Nintendo DS(tm) handheld system has shipped to retailers throughout North America. Featuring both the incredibly popular and highly addictive Sudoku and Kakuro logic games, Sudokuro contains enough puzzling goodness to keep even the most avid fans occupied for hours on end.

Sudokuro contains 1,500 unique, hand-crafted and an unlimited number of automatically generated Sudoku puzzles, plus over 5,000 Kakuro puzzles. Players may enter data either with buttons or the Nintendo DS stylus, and the game also features text recognition. With three levels of difficulty for each game, and a simple 2x2 Sudoku mode especially designed for children, the whole family can enjoy playing Sudokuro.

USA Today says Sudoku has "become the morning brain breakfast for millions of commuters," and the New York Times comments, "no puzzle has had such a fast introduction in newspapers since the crossword craze of 1924-25." Kakuro, often called a mathematical translation of the crossword, is second in popularity only to Sudoku in Japan.

Sudokuro is available now for a suggested retail price of $19.99.

Countdown begins for what promises to be bigger than any movie launch in history; beta preview and collectible Zune-Halo 3 edition digital media player add to early excitement.

LOS ANGELES — May 15, 2007 — In a year when Hollywood is launching its biggest blockbusters ever, a video game is set to conquer them all. “Halo® 3,” the final chapter in the groundbreaking “Halo” trilogy, is set to shatter day-one entertainment sales records when it is released worldwide beginning Tuesday, Sept. 25. Created by legendary developer Bungie Studios and exclusive to the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, “Halo 3” will set a new standard for interactive storytelling and social gaming by engaging consumers worldwide in Master Chief’s epic battle to save humankind. “Halo 3” will be available to audiences around the world starting Sept. 25 and will release in Europe on Sept. 26.

“‘Halo 3’ is much more than a video game release; it’s the biggest entertainment event of the year,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business. “On Sept. 25, we intend to deliver a finale that will go down in entertainment history and leave people around the world with an experience that will be shared and enjoyed for years to come.”

Fueling the early buzz around “Halo 3”, Microsoft unveiled the multiplayer beta on the eve of its release at a star-studded event in Hollywood. Beginning tomorrow, May 16, Microsoft Game Studios will kick off the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta, which provides audiences worldwide with an exclusive, early look at some of the multiplayer elements of “Halo 3” on Xbox LIVE®. Adding to the excitement, Microsoft is also announcing a special edition Zune™ digital media player inspired by the hugely successful “Halo” franchise. On shelves next month, the Zune-Halo 3 edition comes loaded with a collection of “Halo” content, including videos, soundtracks, trailers, ads and artwork.

In November 2004, the world’s view of video games changed forever with the release of “Halo 2,” which generated a record-setting $125 million in sales within the first 24 hours and changed the way people think about interactive entertainment. Three years later, it remains the most-played game on Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE online gaming and entertainment network, with nearly 1 billion hours of online gaming logged to date.

The unveiling of the “Halo 3” launch date comes on the eve of the release of the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta, which will debut to audiences worldwide via Xbox LIVE on May 16 at 5 a.m. PDT and run through June 6 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.* The “Halo 3” multiplayer beta will provide audiences worldwide with an exclusive early look at some of the multiplayer elements of “Halo 3” on Xbox LIVE. Gamers who are interested in experiencing the multiplayer beta of “Halo 3” can still participate through the purchase of the critically acclaimed, Xbox 360-exclusive title “Crackdown™,” which was launched in February. Starting May 16, the specially marked copies of “Crackdown” will act as a key for gamers to participate in the “Halo 3” multiplayer beta. In addition to giving gamers their first opportunity to get their hands on the new levels, weapons, vehicles and game types, the multiplayer beta will also provide valuable data that Bungie will use in continued development.

The “Halo” franchise has expanded beyond video games into The New York Times’ best-selling books, graphic novels, collectible merchandise and now a new, special edition Zune digital media player. Encased in collectible packaging, the Zune-Halo 3 edition digital media player comes pre-loaded with artwork, trailers and music from all three “Halo” games, as well as an exclusive new episode of “Red vs. Blue” from the fan-adored machinima creator Rooster Teeth Productions LLC. The Zune-Halo 3 edition (estimated retail price $249) will be available exclusively at GameStop starting June 15.

...or at least a few, mainly 'September' and '25th.'

May 15, 2007 San Diego, CA – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that it has completed a transaction to purchase key assets of Sigil Games Online, Inc. Through the deal, SOE now owns Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Sigil’s tentpole property, a highly-successful massively multiplayer online game. The Sigil acquisition also builds on SOE’s successful strategy of cultivating game development studios around the world to further boost the company’s capabilities. The announcement was made by John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment.

As part of the acquisition, a majority of the Sigil team will join SOE, integrating into SOE’s worldwide group of studios which includes offices in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles and Taiwan. The acquisition will strengthen SOE’s position as a leader in the online gaming space by expanding the company’s portfolio of gaming offerings.

“With an unparalleled team and exceptional product, Sigil has been a creative force in the online games space. We look forward to continuing the vision for Vanguard and to continue to deliver some groundbreaking game play,” said Smedley.

In May 2006, SOE acquired the title’s rights and the two companies agreed to co-publish Vanguard. The MMO launched in late January of this year and has sold nearly 200,000 retail and digital units worldwide. Sigil CEO and Vanguard creator, Brad McQuaid will become a consultant with SOE as Vanguard Creative Advisor.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes takes place in the fantasy setting of Telon, a vast and ancient world of magic, intrigue and adventure where thousands of players from around the world have formed a steadfast community exploring the grandeur of a world crafted by the seminal fantasy artist Keith Parkinson. The game introduced many groundbreaking new features and an art direction second to none.

Wall, NJ - May 15, 2007 SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION, the U.S. publishing arm of the SNK PLAYMORE CORPORATION, today announced it has shipped ART OF FIGHTING ANTHOLOGY for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The ART OF FIGHTING ANTHOLOGY will be available across major gaming retailers across North America beginning today.

ART OF FIGHTING ANTHOLOGY is a comprehensive collection featuring the entire ART OF FIGHTING trilogy. A total of 33 classic SNK characters are included, each with their own fighting styles and unique moves.
ART OF FIGHTING was SNK's second fighting-game franchise, set in the same universe as the FATAL FURY franchise, and serving as a prequel to the FATAL FURY saga. The ART OF FIGHTING series improved upon the tried-and-true 2D-fighter combat system with a spirit gauge that gave each player the ability to perform special attacks, as well as an innovative graphical-scaling camera system.

"It's great that PlayStation 2 system owners will be able to add the ART OF FIGHTING ANTHOLOGY to their game libraries at long last," said Ben Herman, president of SNK PLAYMORE USA CORPORATION. "The ART OF FIGHTING series holds a significant place in gaming history, being one of the first games to allow players to perform a 'super attack' during a match. It also is the first fighting game to introduce graphical scaling - as opponents move away from each other, the game's camera moves out to keep both players on the screen."

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & NEW YORK--May 14, 2007-- IDG World Expo and the World Series of Video Games Presented by Intel (WSVG), today announced that "Entertainment for All(TM) Expo" (E for All) will be the last and biggest U.S. event for the competitive circuit this season, before it heads to Europe for the final two events. With more than $90,000 in cash prizes, the E for All edition of the WSVG circuit will feature four arenas of competitive game play on multiple titles, including the world's most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Blizzard Entertainment(R)'s "World of Warcraft(R): The Burning Crusade.(TM)" Rounding out the competition are Activision's "Guitar Hero II(TM)," "EA SPORTS(TM) Fight Night Round 3," and Activision's "Call of Duty 2." Coverage will be available online and as a one-hour televised special in November. E for All will take over the Los Angeles Convention Center, October 18-21, 2007, in downtown Los Angeles.

The 2007 World Series of Video Games, Presented by Intel, has already vaulted to unprecedented heights after a four-day event in China last week that drew more than 90,000 attendees and awarded $50,000 in cash prizes to the winners. The event moves to the US this summer for events in Louisville and Dallas. E for All replaces Orlando
as the last and largest US stop on this year's WSVG circuit.

In addition to tournaments, E for All attendees will be first to try the newest, hottest computer and video games in advance of their release for the holidays. Other offerings include social and professional networking opportunities, game stages, the acclaimed Video Games Live concert and much more. Created by the team that produced E3 for the last decade, E for All connects all segments of the booming video game market - consumers, publishers, industry luminaries, media and retail.

"From the moment it was announced, we recognized that E for All is going to become the most important gaming event of the year," said Matthew Ringel, president and commissioner of the WSVG. "We knew we had to move our Universal Orlando event to be a part of this. E for All and the World Series of Video Games share a common goal of
introducing video game competition to a wide and mainstream audience."

"By featuring the WSVG at E for All, we're able to offer fans a direct connection to the energy and excitement of game play at the competitive level," said Mary Dolaher, CEO, IDG World Expo. "We're delighted to work with WSVG to offer the biggest US circuit stop for thousands of people who have a passion for games."

Upcoming World Series Schedule of Events:

June 21 - 24 Louisville, Kentucky

July 5 - 8 Dallas, Texas

Oct. 18 - 21 Los Angeles, California

October TBA Major European city

Nov. 29 - Dec. 2 Jonkoping, Sweden

SAN DIEGO, CA – May 10, 2007 – Sony Online Entertainment, (SOE) a global leader in the online gaming industry, announced that it is developing High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The game is anticipated to be available for digital download through the PLAYSTATION® Network this summer for the suggested retail price of $9.99.

High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition will give players a chance to show off their skills in Texas Hold'em, Super Hold'em, Billabong, Tahoe and Shanghai. Each of the five different styles of poker can be played as limit, pot limit or no limit poker. Multiplayer is available for all games, and will allow up to six people to play together on one table at a time, in high definition up to 1080p.

“Being among the first PLAYSTATION Network publishers to release a game that takes advantage of the EyeToy™ USB Camera (for PlayStation®2) and other PC compatible USB cameras is not only exciting, but also puts the player into a realistic game play setting featuring live audio and video feed,” said Michael Lustenberger, VP of Marketing for Sony Online Entertainment.

Players have the option to log in for a quick match or play through a whole season. The game also offers a Turbo Mode to power through the tournament circuit to advance a player’s career. In addition, players can track their stats and see how they compare to others through online leader boards, and used points earned to unlock items for their customizable character. The in-depth hand statistics include stats such as percentages of hands played and won, flops seen, checks, calls, bets, raises and more!

For more information on High Stakes on the Vegas Strip: Poker Edition log onto www.station.sony.com.

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES EVERQUEST® II RISE OF KUNARK™

Fourth Expansion for EverQuest® II Currently in Development, Features New Playable Race, New Zones based on the Original EverQuest, Raised Level Cap and More


SAN DIEGO, CA – May 10, 2007 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that Rise of Kunark, the fourth expansion pack for EverQuest® II, is currently in development. Expected to launch on or around November 13, Rise of Kunark will be available at retail stores and via digital download for $39.99. Retail consumers receive the base EQII game, the Rise of Kunark expansion, all three previous expansions (Desert of Flames, Kingdom of Sky, Echoes of Faydwer) as well as a Cockatrice house pet.

“With Rise of Kunark, we’re continuing to build on the high-quality content and rich, exciting environments that players experienced with Echoes of Faydwer,” says Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer and Creative Director, Sony Online Entertainment. “By combining new content based on the original EverQuest with new races, zones, quests and items, we expect to deliver a deep and fun experience for EverQuest II veterans and new players alike.”

Rise of Kunark introduces a new playable race, the Sarnak. This dragon-like humanoid inhabits the jungle islands of Timorous Deep, a new starting location for adventurers. Timorous Deep presents a wealth of new content for levels 1-20, and is one of the many new zones being developed for this expansion. Many of these zones are based on favorite gameplay areas from the original EverQuest, such as Karnor’s Castle, the Lake of Ill Omen, Sebilis and Veeshan’s Peak. Guilds, adventurers, and artisans can expect to benefit from a raised level cap, as all level caps are raised to 80, in addition to new solo, group, and raid content for levels 65-80.

Hundreds of new quests will be added to the expansion, promising exciting adventures and encounters, including class Epic Weapon quests for all classes. Players will also be able to explore this new world astride a new mount – the rampaging Kunarkian Rhino. Dozens of new NPCs, as well as a host of new weapons and armor await players as they explore and unravel the mysteries surrounding the beautiful, yet dangerous continent of Kunark.


EverQuest II Rise of Kunark Features:

* All-New Player Race – Start up a brand new Sarnak – the classic dragon-like humanoid creature that now inhabits Timorous Deep. Exiled from your homeland and magically altered, discover how your new breed came to be, and eventually return home to help your race triumph over the evil Iksar.
* New Starting Area – Begin your adventure from the new starting area in the islands of Timorous Deep. Conclude your day of epic quests and retire to new housing within the Village of Gorowyn.
* Level Cap Raised – Continue your adventures on your existing character in Kunark, expanding on your achievements as Adventure, Tradeskill and Guild levels all increase to 80.
* More Unique Zones – Advance your way through new massive regions, containing many zones filled with nostalgia and danger, such as The Emerald Jungle, Skyfire Mountains, Sebilis, and Karnor’s Castle.
* Hundreds of New Quests – The tale of Kunark is told through hundreds of new quests, aimed at gameplay of all types: solo, group, and raid.
* More Weapons & Armor – New Epic Weapon quests for all 24 classes, with new weapons for both those who raid and those who choose not to. Battle through the opposition and acquire additional fabled and legendary armor sets as well.
* New Mount – Explore the world on the shoulders of a new rampaging beast - The Kunarkian Rhinoceros.
* New Deities – Recent activities on Norrath have again attracted the attention of the gods. Bertoxxulous The Plaguebringer, Karana The Rain Keeper, and the mysterious Tribunal return to exert their influences on planet. As with the existing gods of Norrath, players may pledge to these new deities to gain access to their Blessings and Miracles.
* Dozens of New NPCs – Encounter and engage a wide variety of new enemies that inhabit the menacing lands of Kunark.

For more information on these games, visit the EverQuest II Web site, www.everquest2.com, www.riseofkunark.com or www.SOEpress.com.

A free 7-day trial of EverQuest II is also available at www.playthefae.com.

REDMOND, Wash. — May 14, 2007 — This Wednesday, team up with up to three of your friends and prepare yourselves for intense side-scrolling, sci-fi shooting action in “Aegis Wing.” Originally conceived by three Microsoft Corp. interns over the course of a summer, “Aegis Wing” will be available for free to all Xbox LIVE® Silver and Gold members in North America for a limited time. “Aegis Wing” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360™ beginning Wednesday, May 16, at 2 a.m. PDT.

“Aegis Wing” is a 2-D side-scrolling space shooter that combines epic space combat with fantastic visuals, and is set to a rich symphonic soundtrack. It is set in the year 2105, when humanity must flee a dying Earth for the distant world Europa. But this new home is soon threatened by a powerful alien race, the Araxia. With stolen Araxian technology, the Europa fleet develops an experimental star fighter and assigns four ace pilots to test it. The Aegis Wing is born, and it becomes your mission to wield this new technology as humanity’s last hope for survival.

Up to four players can play together either locally or over Xbox LIVE to defeat waves of nefarious Araxian ships and bosses, and can even combine spacecraft in two-, three- or four-ship formations to access powerful Super Weapons.

“Aegis Wing” was originally conceived by three students – Scott Brodie, Danny Dyer and Matt Monson – during a summer internship at Xbox LIVE Arcade. The students worked in tandem with Carbonated Games – the creators of fan-favorite, UNO® – to bring the game to the Xbox LIVE Arcade community. The full version of “Aegis Wing” is being released on Xbox LIVE Arcade free of charge and will be available for a limited time.

Game Features

Game features include the following:

· Amazing environmental art

· Full symphonic soundtrack

· Up to four-player simultaneous cooperative multiplayer gameplay, either locally on the same Xbox 360 console or over Xbox LIVE*

· Ability to attach your ship to your wingmen’s spacecraft to gain the “turret” ability and increase the firepower of the Super Weapons

· Four Super Weapons: the Hades Beam (wreaks total destruction), the Gorgon Burst (wipes out incoming fire and disables enemy spacecraft with an electromagnetic pulse), the Arcus Missile (a heat-seeking missile) and the Lambda Shield (deflects incoming fire back at enemies)

· Six epic missions and several memorable boss encounters to fight through

Where Can I Get It?

You can download “Aegis Wing” beginning Wednesday, May 16, at 2 a.m. PDT on Xbox LIVE Arcade. “Aegis Wing” will be available for download in North America only. “Aegis Wing” is rated E for Everyone, with Mild Fantasy Violence. More information is available at http://www.xbox.com/games/livearcade.

Latest Installment in #1 Best-Selling Action Sports Franchise Redefines Skateboarding Genre with Unprecedented Freedom and Control

Santa Monica, CA – May 14, 2007 – This fall gamers will be able to command their skating destiny in Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI). For the first time, players will have the freedom to define their character, story and style based on the choices they make, the paths they choose and the style of skating they use on the proving grounds from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Washington, D.C.

Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground features deeper customization than ever before, including a Video Editor with full-featured editing tools and visual effects for creating “epic skate videos,” and a fully customizable online Skate Lounge where players can skate with friends in the ultimate pad. In addition, players will have the freedom to skate from single player to online seamlessly, as well as utilize new gameplay mechanics such as skateable terrain altering and building, and Bowl Carving, delivering the most empowered skating experience ever. Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground also features even more Nail the Trick™ moves such as Nail the Grab and Nail the Manual intensifying the thrill of pulling off big tricks.

“Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground drops players into the skateboarding world like never before,” said Joel Jewett, president of Neversoft. “This is the largest, deepest and most compelling Tony Hawk game ever. You can skate the best lines, define your own style and produce your own videos. You can even take it further by tricking out your own Skate Lounge, where you can hang out and skate with others online. Proving Ground will throw you so deep into the lifestyle of skateboarding that you won’t be able to get out. Hands down, it’s the most exciting Tony Hawk title yet.”

Santa Monica, CA – May 14, 2007 – The wait is Ogre with the announcement that the ShrekÒ the Third™ video game from Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has shipped to retail stores nationwide. The fate of Far Far Away is in gamer’s hands as they assume the role of their favorite characters from the film – Shrek®, Donkey, Fiona, Puss-in-Boots, Artie and Sleeping Beauty – and embark on an all-new adventure to save the land from the clutches of the evil Prince Charming. The Shrek the Third video game is based on DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated feature film, which opens on May 18.

“Activision’s Shrek the Third game captures the film’s signature humor as it takes gamers on a grand journey featuring original characters and storylines created exclusively for the game,” said Kim Salzer, Vice President of Global Brand Management, Activision Publishing. “Players will enjoy hours of fun and engaging gameplay as they travel through the Shrek universe in 20 action-filled levels and encounter a cast of twisted fairy tale characters such as Pinocchio, Prince Charming and a dim-witted Cyclops.”

Shrek the Third the video game takes players on an epic journey through magical worlds while mastering each character’s special moves and abilities, battling villains, gathering collectibles and joining friends to complete challenging mini-games in either single-player or two-player multiplayer modes. The game also introduces two new playable characters from the movie – Fiona’s rebellious cousin Artie and her fellow fairy tale princess Sleeping Beauty.

The Nintendo DS™ and Game BoyÒ Advance versions of the Shrek the Third video game offer players unique gameplay experiences. The Nintendo DS version is the first DS game to offer wireless cooperative multiplayer gameplay through all levels. Told from Donkey’s point of view, the Nintendo DS game allows players to assume the roles of Shrek, Puss-in-Boots and newcomer Artie, and journey beyond Far Far Away with the help of Merlin’s magic wand. Shrek and friends must work together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies while overcoming a band of Prince Charming’s henchmen.

The Game Boy Advance version closely follows the storyline of the movie as the characters complete great quests that end with them saving Far Far Away from the villainous Prince Charming.

Additionally, the game features a bonus sneak peek at Bee Movie Game, based on the upcoming animated feature from DreamWorks Animation which releases in November 2007.

NCsoft North America has launched of the official AION: THE TOWER OF ETERNITY teaser website at www.aiononline.com. AION is a next-generation of massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) being developed out of NCsoft’s Seoul headquarters. The official site provides a variety of never before seen in-game screen shots, concept art and exciting game movie sequences. The site also provides the very latest information, via a series of game lore features that set the scene for the upcoming struggle in a world torn apart by bitter conflict. This website will also allow fans of the game to keep up with the latest news, game information and future announcements.

Exhilarating Ninja Fighter Returns to the PlayStation(R)2 Computer Entertainment System

SANTA CLARA, CA - May 14, 2007 - Leading video games publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. announced today that NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 2 has received gold status and will hit retail shelves on June 12. Available exclusively for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Ultimate Ninja 2 features new playable characters, more game-play modes and unlockable content, powerful secret techniques, and the intense fast-paced action you've come to love from the Ultimate Ninja series! Based on the hit anime series SHONEN JUMP(TM) NARUTO(TM) from VIZ Media, Ultimate Ninja 2 picks up where the first installment left off with more thrilling ninja-packed combat and new environments.

Follow Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Gaara, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and all the show's favorites as they battle the best in the land to become the ultimate ninja. While playing through the series' memorable moments, like the Chunin Exam and the Tsunade saga, players can earn money and customize their favorite character's strength, defense, agility, chakra, and even the moves they use. Embark down the path of a warrior with the new Ultimate Road game mode, which follows the storyline of the show and also allows players to unlock an original plot unique to Ultimate Ninja 2.

Players can perfect their technique in Iruka's Training mode then put their skills to the test with the head-to-head two-player VS. Duel mode. Featuring over 60 challenging missions, six mini-games, and a multitude of unlockable features including movies, music, collectible cards, and certificates, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 2 offers limitless re-playability.

Developed by CyberConnect2, NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 2 is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

For more information on NARUTO: Ultimate Ninja 2, please visit NarutoUN2.namcobandaigames.com.

We’re back with the latest and greatest news and updates from the “Forza Motorsport 2” universe.

With the release only weeks away, things are really starting to heat up in the “Forza” community. We've been bringing you news, updates, and car reveals, and now it's time to take those ele