Village Gamer

Quebec City – Beenox Studios, an Activision Publishing, Inc. property today announced that the Quantum of Solace™ video game, based on the eagerly anticipated “Quantum of Solace” and prior “Casino Royale” James Bond films, is now available. Developed under license from EON Productions Ltd and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), the Quantum of Solace video game equips players with the weapons, espionage and hand-to-hand combat skills and overall charm needed to survive the covert lifestyle of legendary 007 secret agent James Bond. Beenox Studios developed the Games for Windows and Wii versions of the game.

“Activision’s Quantum of Solace video game marks the first time players can become the newly re-imagined, dangerous and cunningly efficient James Bond as portrayed by Daniel Craig,” said Rob Kostich, Head of Marketing for Licensed Properties, Activision Publishing. “We’re extremely pleased to release the game day and date with the new movie, so for those of us waiting for the new era in Bond gaming, Quantum of Solace has arrived.”
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Next Chapter in Award-Winning Franchise Features All-New Single-Player Campaigns, Multiplayer Modes and Innovative “Direct-Fire” Feature

Relic Entertainment and THQ Inc. have announced that Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, the next standalone chapter in the widely acclaimed real-time strategy (RTS) franchise, is currently in development for Windows PC. Featuring three intense campaigns, brand-new multiplayer modes and an innovative “direct-fire” feature that allows even more tactical control during the heat of battle, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will immerse players in some of the most historic, tide-turning clashes of World War II. Internally developed by Relic Entertainment, the game is currently scheduled for release in spring 2009.

“Company of Heroes is one of the most critically acclaimed RTS series of all time,” said Peter Matiss, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Relic Entertainment is delivering an all-new, standalone chapter in the franchise and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and quality in the genre.”
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EA’s Award-Winning Videogame Delivers All the Fun and High Energy of Skateboarding This Holiday Season

EA Montreal and Black Box, studios of Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that their award-winning Skate It videogame will hit retail stores starting November 19th in North America and November 20th in Europe for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. With intuitive Wii remote, nunchuck and DS stylus controls and the optional use of the Wii Balance Board, Skate It delivers a fun and unique skateboarding experience for skate fans and gamers of all ages.

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Toronto – NCsoft®, the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), today announced a partnership with TransGaming, Inc. to bring their award-winning City of Heroes ® franchise to the Apple® Macintosh®. The game has been enabled for the Mac by TransGaming, a leading developer of portability technologies for the electronic entertainment industry. City of Heroes for Mac will be available for public beta testing with the release of the game’s thirteenth expansion, Issue 13: Power and Responsibility later this fall. The official launch will occur pre-holiday this year with a special digital-only Mac edition of City of Heroes, available across all NCsoft West consumer territories.

“Players will soon be able to join the battle of good versus evil in the most popular comic book MMO on both the PC and Mac platforms…and in the same game world,” commented Brian Clayton, executive producer of City of Heroes for NCsoft West. “Given Mac’s fame as a platform for creative people and City of Heroes’ unprecedented character customization options, I think City of Heroes is a perfect fit for the Mac gaming community.”

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Vancouver – Hothead Games today announced that Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two is now available worldwide simultaneously via Xbox LIVE® Arcade (except Korea) and via the Greenhouse digital distribution platform for the Windows®, Mac®, and Linux® versions. Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness, Episode Two is expected to offer players six to ten hours of gameplay, and is priced at $14.95 for the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions and at 1200 Microsoft points via Xbox LIVE Arcade. The game has been rated “M” for Mature by the Entertainment Software Rating Board for all platforms.

The madcap Penny Arcade experience continues in Episode Two of the RPG-adventure game series! Players can jump right in with a fresh character and new customization options or carry over their look and stats

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Montreal – Meridian4 is chilled to announce that they have signed an agreement with Frogames to help digitally distribute their FPS (First Penguin Shooter) through numerous online sites across the net.

“I have bookmarked their website for a long time because Meridian4 has always published great games made by indies!” said Christophe Canon at Frogames.

“Put a penguin in a game and I’m hooked, but put a penguin in a surprisingly sophisticated and well crafted FPS where bullets are replaced with snowballs and I’m addicted. The moment we played Penguins Arena, we knew that it fit our company and the games we publish.” said Steve Milburn, Marketing Director at Meridian4 and penguin lover.

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World War III is only a mouse click away… Supreme Ruler 2020 expansion – Global Crisis announced

Ontario – Paradox Interactive today announced a new expansion pack for the Geo-Political, Military Strategy game Supreme Ruler 2020, developed by BattleGoat Studios.

“This is the first time we’ve developed an expansion pack and we wanted to ensure that we had significant new content for our dedicated players to enjoy,” remarked David Thompson, BattleGoat’s Lead Designer and Co-Founder.
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Leading Videogame Publisher Electronic Arts and Universal Pictures Join Forces to Bring EA’s Top-Selling New Franchise “ARMY OF TWO™” to the Big Screen

Scott Stuber to Produce Film With EA; Scott Z. Burns to Write Screenplay

Montreal – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that the company has closed a deal with Universal Pictures to bring EA’s new franchise and top-selling videogame, ARMY OF TWO™, to the big screen.

Scott Stuber, through his Stuber Productions shingle, will produce the film along with EA, and screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, who recently co-wrote the blockbuster THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, has signed on to adapt the game for the screen. Universal Pictures, Stuber Productions and EA are planning to begin production of the film in 2009.

ARMY OF TWO, which has grossed over $100 million(a) in sales since its release in March 2008, is the second film project that EA has set in motion as part of an aggressive strategy to move its IP across more entertainment platforms. The company is also currently developing THE SIMS at 20^th Century Fox with producer John Davis.

“ARMY OF TWO is a great project that has already attracted top name talent, and we’re glad to be working with Electronic Arts on making this hit game into a film franchise,” said Donna Langley, President of Production at Universal Pictures.

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Become the Ultimate Celebrity Athlete in the Must-Have Party Game for the Holidays From EA SPORTS Freestyle

Burnaby – Reach for the stars! Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that Celebrity Sports Showdown for the Wii™ is in stores worldwide today. Celebrity Sports Showdown is an all-new intellectual property from the new EA SPORTS Freestyle™ brand featuring 10

Kristi Yamaguchi

celebrities and allows up to 4 players to compete in 12 outdoor sports games. Play as your favorite celebrity such as Keith Urban, Fergie and Avril Lavigne, and athletes like Paul Pierce and Mia Hamm in the ultimate party game for the holidays. Get off the couch and get into the action with fun and easy-to-play controls designed specifically for the Wii.

Experience the fresh air of the outdoors and the thrill of competition as you battle it out in this no-holds barred entertainment spectacle. Get your feet wet and paddle through rapids in Wild Water Canoeing and hold on tight as you fly behind a speed boat for some wild Inner-Tubing! Get out of the water and onto the court as you hit away in Beach Volleyball and Smash Badminton, or take aim

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Track List Boasts Songs From Some of the Biggest and Most Influential Artists of All-Time Including Black Sabbath, Public Enemy, The Clash and Wu-Tang Clan

Vancouver – Black Box, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio, today revealed the soundtracks that will power the award-winning Skate It and Skate 2. These two skateboarding games bring the sport’s incredible tricks, epic moves and high energy to gamers with all of the fun – and none of the bruises! The 52 featured songs are from some of music’s most influential and celebrated artists including Black Sabbath, Public Enemy, Judas Priest and Wu-Tang Clan.

Skate It NDS - PSP Screen

“The soundtracks for Skate It and Skate 2 builds upon last year’s critically acclaimed Skate soundtrack,” said Chris Parry, Associate Producer. “The songs reflect the culture of skateboarding, with some tracks picked by the pros themselves, and others coming straight out of iconic skate videos. Skateboarding today is an eclectic mix of people and influences and this is true of where we took this year’s soundtracks. Look for some old school soul and funk, a few rock anthems, some good beats and a lot of classic punk!”

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