AdminSpy Latest Gadgets and Gizmos

N-Gage Nokia is coming back

Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

According to a report on PocketGamer, the platform was shown off to US game developers and publishers last week at a behind-closed-doors preview event, presumably with the intention of convincing the industry to start making games for it.

SEGA, Sony Online Entertainment, EA Mobile, Vivendi, Square Enix, Capcom, THQ Wireless, Tecmo, Namco, Disney, Universal and Glu Mobile were all reportedly there, according to PocketGamer, though it isn't clear if they're all definitely developing for the platform or just making their minds up.

New features such as a swanky new "N-Gage activation code system" plus "track and manage" game sharing abilities will try to win the big-shot votes, with the software development kit also making its first appearance at the event.

The next-generation of N-Gage was announced back at E3 2005 to appear within Nokia's multimedia handsets, with a few of the proposed games being flashed about at last year's show.

European companies will have a chance to get a look at this flashy little beast next week in Madrid.

Article Source N-Gage Nokia is coming back

The Sims Stories Announced x 3

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Electronic Arts on Tuesday announced a new line of video games called "The Sims Stories" aimed at the laptop-toting youth market as it strives to deliver a bigger proportion of titles based on more lucrative company-owned material.

Players of "The Sims" control virtual people called Sims as they sleep, eat, cook, socialise, buy things and work.

The Sims is the No. 1 franchise at EA, the world's biggest video game publisher, which has sold more than 70 million games globally since 2000. It also has a broader audience than most games. Half of its players are female -- unlike most commercial video game audiences, who are mostly male.

"The Sims Life Stories" is the first in the new series and is due in the United States and Europe in the first week of February.

"The Sims Pet Stories" and "The Sims Castaway Stories" are scheduled to ship in mid-2007 and late 2008, respectively.

EA aims to use the new titles to expand the "Sims" audience to more casual players and is targeting multitasking MySpace teens and consumers in their early 20s with the new games.

"The Sims Life Stories" has a comic-romantic plot and offers a new story mode, which runs through 12 chapters of a set story line, while also supporting the franchise's traditional open style of play.

The games have a "Teen" rating and will retail for $40.

Article Source The Sims Stories Announced x 3

World of Warcraft - More than 8 Million Players

Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Blizzard Entertainment announced today that World of Warcraft is now played by more than 8 million gamers around the world.

World of Warcraft has also achieved new regional subscriber milestones, with more than 2 million players in North America, more than 1.5 million players in Europe, and more than 3.5 million players in China.

“We’re ecstatic that the World of Warcraft community has continued to grow steadily since we launched the game,” said Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “This milestone wouldn’t have been possible for us to achieve without the incredible support of our players. With the release of our expansion pack, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade™, coming next week, we’re looking forward to welcoming more players to Azeroth and offering even more quality content for our community to enjoy.”

World of Warcraft will soon see the launch of its first expansion, World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, which will be available in North America and Europe on January 16, 2007.

The expansion will be available in Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand the same week, with availability in mainland China and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau to be announced at a later date.

The Burning Crusade will add a tremendous amount of new content to the game, including an entire new continent to explore; an increase in the level cap up to 70, complete with new talents and abilities; flying mounts; new quests, creatures, and items; new dungeons; two new playable races; a new profession; and more.

Article Source World of Warcraft - More than 8 Million Players

Naruto: Ninja Council 3 for Nintendo DS to be launched

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Originally released in Japan in 2005 as Naruto Saikyô Ninja Daikesshû 3, the game is now also due for release in the West, during Spring 2007, under the title Naruto: Ninja Council 3. Announced by D3Publisher of America and Tomy Corporation, Ninja Council 3 is based on episodes from VIZ Media's hit anime series Shonen Jump Naruto and will feature mission-based gameplay for up to four players. Wireless, that is.

Word is the ninja action game utilizes an interchangeable attack system allowing players to combine attack techniques from all available characters in the mission to increase their chance of success:

The new interchangeable attack system and the ability to choose from over 20 playable characters are a first in hand-held Naruto games," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development, D3PA. "We feel very strongly that this game will appeal to both the fans of Naruto and DS gamers that enjoy action games.

Using the new interchangeable attack system, players select a main character to complete the mission and then customize their attack scheme by selecting special techniques from other available characters - increasing their chance of success by combining the best techniques for the mission. Players can activate special attacks using the Nintendo DS stylus on the touch screen or by blowing into the microphone.

Just like a true ninja, in Naruto: Ninja Council 3, players will have to protect, defend or defeat as they train hard to perfect their skills in order to progress through the ranks in over 40 missions ranging in difficulty from moderate to challenging. Up to four players (wireless) can choose from over 20 different characters with four different playing modes including Timed Mode, Scroll Collection Mode and Head-to-Head Versus Mode.

Article Source Naruto: Ninja Council 3 for Nintendo DS to be launched

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 demo for free on Xbox Live

Fri, 22 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is the latest game to arrive in demo form on Xbox Live Marketplace, offering a bit of impetus for those of you who've been sitting on the football fence all this time.

A demo of rival title, FIFA 07, is already available to download.

The Pro Evolution Soccer 6 demo is limited to Xbox Live Gold members for now, with Silver users to be offered it on 29th December. It weighs in at a whopping 1.31GB, and there's no word on what exactly is in it.

For more info on Pro Evo 6 click here

The Pro Evolution Soccer series is renowned for its realism, and Pro Evolution Soccer 6 is abundant with new gameplay additions.

Player AI has been massively upgraded, with players running intelligently into space when not in possession of the ball and pointing where they want the pass placed to continue the attack.
Review can be found here: Pro Evolution Soccer 6 review

Article Source Pro Evolution Soccer 6 demo for free on Xbox Live

Medal of Honor Vanguard for Wii and PS2

Wed, 20 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Electronic Arts announces Medal of Honor Vanguard, the latest installment from EA's Medal of Honor franchise which has been credited with pioneering the First-Person Shooter WWII genre when it debuted in 1999.

Medal of Honor Vanguard is due for release in March 2007 and will build on the franchise's sterling reputation for historical accuracy and authenticity, as well as introducing a new "heroic" storyline. Hopefully it will not build on the franchise's recent reputation for not being any good except in that one PC game the name of which we can't remember.

Anyway, in Medal of Honor Vanguard you will hop into Corporal Frank Keegan's responsible boots as his 82nd Airbourne Division gets dropped off behind enemy lines, enjoying spectacular graphics and intense combat gameplay throughout.

"Medal of Honor Vanguard features a strong storyline told in classic MOH fashion," EALA Senior Producer Matt Sentell is keen to point out, adding, "We are really excited to offer this game both on the PS2 and Wii, which will allow fans to experience MOH in a completely new way."

The developers of Medal of Honor Vanguard seem keen to get to grips with the Wii's "one-of-a-kind controllers", as they promise to use them to their full effect, offering a fresh approach to this familiar series.

Previously announced Medal of Honor: Airbourne wasn't confirmed for Nintendo's newest console. Hopefully this will mean EA are planning on delivering a specifically tailored and unique experience, rather than fueling concerns that the company are happy to simply churn-out titles for it alongside the ageing PS2. Although we doubt that, because let's face it this is it and boo hoo if you don't like it.

Article Source Medal of Honor Vanguard for Wii and PS2

New Alien FPS confirmed

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

On Monday, Sega announced that it had acquired the rights to develop multiple games based on the Alien films, including a first-person shooter and a role-playing game.

On Wednesday, the publisher revealed that Obsidian Entertainment, makers of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II, was developing the RPG based on the sci-fi license.

The news comes hot on the heels of an announcement that Neverwinter Nights 2 developer Obsidian Entertainment will be producing a role-playing game based on the films.

Earlier this week SEGA revealed it had secured the rights to create next-generation games based on the enduring sci-fi favourite.

The fact that developers of the stature of Gearbox and Obsidian are involved will be considered a significant show of strength from the one-time platform holder, which appears determined to buck the industry trend of producing low-expectation licensed properties under the assumption that the brand will carry the content.

"Gearbox Software has a storied history of bringing innovative and compelling design to the FPS category," said SEGA of America president and COO Simon Jeffery.

"Combining their design talents with the intense action of the Alien franchise ensures that gamers will have an immersive and action-packed experience."

Gearbox president Randy Pitchford said that the Alien series had been "a tremendous influence" on the developer and the games industry at large.

"The opportunity to work with the amazing people at SEGA and Fox to build a next generation videogame in the Alien universe is one of those dream projects that is a perfect fit for our capability and our passion."

Platforms have yet to be specified, but SEGA has previously said that both the RPG and FPS titles are in pre-production, with one due out in 2009.

Article Source New Alien FPS confirmed

Super Mario War Game Has Been Unleashed

Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A noncommercial fangame is just what we need on a peaceful Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the Smwstuff website, today we can play a newly announced and released version of the homemade game Super Mario War, enhanced for both the PC and Xbox. The product is a direct result of using the Xbox Development Kit, and it's intended to be an addictive Super Mario multiplayer title, endowed with a simple goal: to stomp as many other Marios as possible. It sounds like fun, and that's the only way to be. It should be obvious that the game was designed as a tribute to Nintendo and the game Mario War by Samuele Poletto, as it uses artwork and sounds from several Nintendo's prior projects.

Super Mario War Game Features:

- Up to four players deathmatch fun;
- A whole bunch of game modes (featuring GetTheChicken, Domination, CTF, etc.);
- Comes with the level editor - you can create your own maps;
- There are currently over 400 maps;
- More fun than poking a monkey with a stick;
- The whole source code of the game is available;
- Uses SDL and is fully portable to Windows, Linux, Mac;
- CPU Players;
- Will make you happy and gives you a fuzzy feeling.

PC users can download Super Mario War Game here (1) or (2)

Article Source Super Mario War Game Has Been Unleashed

Gears of War Sells 2 Million and Guild Wars sells 3 Million

Sat, 16 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

A couple of games have reached new multi-million selling points this week. First of all, according to a joint announcement issued by Microsoft and Epic Games today, Gears of War (review) has just made history by becoming the fastest-selling next-generation game of 2006, and the fastest-selling exclusive Xbox game of all time. This comes as a result of more than 2 million copies having sold worldwide, in just six weeks since the game's release.

"We've always held high hopes for Gears of War, but we never expected such an overwhelmingly positive response from critics and gamers all over the world", said Michael Capps, president, Epic Games. "I can't describe how stoked our team is right now. Our fans can absolutely count on Epic to keep delivering new gameplay through Xbox Live."

Sounds like yet another firm promise that Epic Games will deliver additional content for Gears of War. And according to one recent interview, they also said that the content will be free to download via Xbox Live.

Having already reached the 2,000,000 mark back in June, Guild Wars is now boasting over 3 million units sold, as proclaimed a couple of days ago by ArenaNet and NCsoft. Fueled by sales of the hit game Guild Wars Nightfall, the latest release in the award-winning Guild Wars franchise, sales for one of the world's leading subscription-free online roleplaying games have surpassed three million units worldwide in a little more than a year and a half.

This milestone event was announced today by ArenaNet, developer of Guild Wars, Guild Wars FactionsTM, and Guild Wars NightfallTM, and NCsoft Corporation, the world's leading developer and publisher of online computer games.

"Reaching three million units sold in such a short amount of time is absolutely incredible," says Robert Garriott, CEO, NCsoft North America. "Coupled with the recent news of Guild Wars Factions winning Billboard's Multiplayer Game of the Year, we couldn't be prouder of what the team at ArenaNet has accomplished with the Guild Wars games."

In further news, ArenaNet announced today the details of the in-game Wintersday Festival, as well as some exciting new features to be implemented in the game over the holiday season.

Wintersday 2006 — Special in-game events have become fan favorites the world over, and during this holiday season Guild Wars players will be in for another Wintersday Festival!

During this event, players will find favorite outposts dressed to the nines with holiday décor, as they are invited to complete holiday-themed quests, participate in PvP snowball fights, and receive unique holiday rewards such as Winter Gifts, a Snowman Summoner, Eggnog, and Candy Canes.

Wintersday 2006 will take place in-game December 20, 2006 through January 1, 2007.

Article Source Gears of War Sells 2 Million and Guild Wars sells 3 Million

Anti-copying malware Starforce installs itself with pc games

Tue, 02 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

This story is copied from BoingBoing because I think that every PC gamer should know about StarForce Malware which comes with certain games. After reading the story I have checked my gaming PC and found Starforce malware installed on my pc.

For removal instructions click here

Starforce is an anti-copying program that some games covertly install when you install the game. The software causes system instability and crashes. The company that makes Starforce refuses to address the damage their software causes; instead, they blame the people on whom their malware has been forced: "According to our research those of users [sic] that do run into compatibility problems are beginner-level-hackers that try to go around our protection system."

The list of games infected with Starforce is long and depressing -- there are dozens of these. If you're a gamer, you owe it to yourself to have a look and check to see if Starforce might have damaged your PC. What's more, you should join the boycott of any game that comes with this malicious software onboard.

For example, here's one of the common problems brought by Starforce: under Windows XP, if packets are lost during the reading or writing of a disk, XP interprets this as an error and steps the IDE speed down. Eventually it will revert to 16bit compatibility mode rendering a CD/DVD writer virtually unusable. In some circumstances certain drives cannot cope with this mode and it results in physical hardware failure (Most commonly in multiformat CD/DVD writer drives). A sure sign of this step down occurring is that the burn speeds will get slower and slower (no matter what speed you select to burn at). Starforce, on a regular basis, triggers this silent step down. Until it reaches the latter stages most people do not even realise it is happening.

Moreover, the Starforce drivers, installed on your system, grant ring 0 (system level) privileges to any code under the ring 3 (user level) privileges. Thus, any virus or trojan can get OS privileges and totally control your system. Since Windows 2000, the Windows line security and stability got enhanced by separating those privileges, but with the Starforce drivers, the old system holes and instabilities are back and any program (or virus) can reach the core of your system by using the Starforce drivers as a backdoor.

Article Source Anti-copying malware Starforce installs itself with pc games