Community gaming and Smartphone technology said to be key

In his GDC keynote speech, Nokia's director of games publishing, Greg Sauter, has outlined the company's commitment to the future of mobile gaming and stressed the importance of enhancing the end-user's wireless experience.

Sauter's speech focused on the emerging Smartphone market, which Nokia believes will be the primary vehicle for the evolution of the wireless gaming experience. The company hopes to have an installed base of 250 million for its own smartphone range by 2008.

But technology is only part of the solution according to Sauter, and the wireless gaming market needs a pretty serious overhaul if its growth is to be maintained and improved over the coming years.

The company has revealed a number of new additions to its developer support system, including an enhanced and updated software development kit (SDK), improved developer tools and support on the revamped developer community site, Forum Nokia PRO, and access to community and connected gaming functionality through SNAP Mobile.

Nokia believes that the end user experience has so far failed to evolve in sync with the rapidly advancing technology platform, and has developed a next-generation consumer interface to enable fast and easy access to discover, purchase, play, manage and share mobile games and content.

"With our new consumer interface, you get quick access to new games and information, it's easy to buy and manage your games, and share game accomplishments with your friends. You can play fantastic looking games for a great overall entertainment experience in your pocket. This new consumer interface is going to transform the way people find and play mobile games," Sauter commented.

The company's N-Gage platform is also very much alive as far as Nokia is concerned, and whilst the handset technology may have changed to encompass a wider selection of devices than the standard N-Gage game deck, the concept of wireless connected gaming and an online community built through the N-Gage arena website remains a key strategy for the firm. Potentially mirroring the Xbox Live experience, Nokia plans to include gamer profiles, avatars and a new N-Gage gaming points system in the near future - all of which is designed to enhance the consumer experience in the wireless gaming market. ...

New technology designed for use by studios of all sizes

Microsoft has delivered a pre-release version of XNA Studio at the Game Developers Conference, also taking the opportunity to announce that Xbox Live is to be opened up to developers.

The event also saw the unveiling of the XNA Framework, which is designed to make life easier for developers working on multi-platform titles for the PC and Xbox 360.

Chris Satchell, general manager of Microsoft's Game Developer Group, said that XNA Studio will prove useful to a wide range of developers, regardless of the size of their company or project.

"Developers need a better way to make games and manage the production process. XNA Studio enables all developers - from major development studios to the two guys moonlighting on a dream project in their garage or dorm room - to create games in new, more efficient ways," Satchell said.

The preview version of XNA Studio includes what are described as "key components" of the system, such as a pre-release version of XNA Build, which is used for "orchestrating, debugging and optimising the game build pipeline," according to an official statement.

In an announcement regarding the opening up of the Xbox Live Server Platform, Microsoft stated: "Using this platform, developers can create their own back-end servers to run alongside Xbox Live."

The company hopes that the move will encourage more innovation in the field of online games, and provide more support for MMOGs. The tools required to create servers will be included in the new Xbox Development Kit, which is currently down for a release in May. ...

Source - Eurogamer

Fans of conventional 2D role-playing games with frilly plots to do with Ice Demons and things will be pleased to hear that Ignition Entertainment is planning to publish PoPoLoCrois for PSP this spring.

The first in the series to release outside Japan, PoPoLoCrois sees ten-year-old Pietro setting off on a quest to save the world from the evil Ice Demon (aha), and uses the familiar old random battle approach to combat - with a slight nod to tactical RPGs on the battle screen.

It's had a fairly mixed reception in the US, where it's published by Agetec, in terms of review scores, but that seems to have more to do with its lack of exciting spangly 3D graphical innovations than the fact it's bad or anything - trad-RPG types might want to keep an eye on it. ...

New Commercial PSP Release:



A PSP version of the board game Shanghai. This portable edition of Shanghai features six modes of play, including a time attack mode and others. The game also features wireless multiplayer.



More info --> http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...0&lsaid=219793 ...

New Commercial Release:



Journey to a world beyond the realms of imagination and engage in battles to save Aven, a timeless city of safe haven and the last remaining stronghold of Good in a world of Evil. As a dark threat looms and a gathering of unknown forces grows stronger, heroes have been called and the Brotherhood of the Blade has been formed. It is up to you and your chosen brothers to unravel the mysteries of this looming peril. Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade offers on-the-go action-RPG combat, intense multiplayer battles and a completely original adventure for you to uncover.



More info --> http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...1&lsaid=219793 ...

News from Lik Sang

Considering the fact that the rotor of a real-life helicopter is just held in place by one bolt only (referred to by pilots as the "Jesus Bolt"), we are happy that G.Rev's lastest Dreamcast port lets us take to the skies without risking our necks in the effort. Coming straight from the Arcades, Under Defeat is more than just another NAOMI title gone SEGA home console. Judging by its crisp full-3D visual splendor, the smooth and addictive gameplay plus a pumping soundtrack that drives you ever on bringing airborne, sea and ground forces to a detonating halt, this horizontal action shooter is about to become a classic in its own right. Hot on the heels of the recently released Radilgy on planet DC, we were all the more excited to finally receive Under Defeat today, fully aware that the long anticipation period will now turn into long nights of machine gun rifles dodging mayhem.

Under Defeat is in stock and shipping within 24 hours, while all preorders are covered. New orders are certainly very welcome. The Limited Edition also got in, which includes the original soundtrack CD, a B4 sized poster and an exclusive sticker in addition to the game. So far, we could only collect enough stock for preorders but we are trying to gather more in order to satisfy some additional purchases. Stay tuned on that.

Allowing for perfect ports of Arcade originals definitely is and always has been one of the Dreamcast's main strengths. Developer G.Rev (responsible for an earlier DC port of their shooter highlight Border Down), after introducing Under Defeat into Japanese Arcades in late October 2005, has again produced a 100% transfer of the original to the 128-bits SEGA system. While they were at it, G.Rev included several modes and set-up options on top of that, allowing players to choose different display versions. Freely select a stage in Practice mode for example and save replays right there. This footage can then be analyzed to improve your skills, getting farther along on just one credit as you progress. Lots of pictures, artwork and more got stashed into a Gallery mode for you to view when you need a short break from the challenging shooter action.





Exclusive to the home version is also an arranged BGM mode, where G.Rev offers some extended versions of tracks that say it all in terms of troubled skies ahead: "Toward a mistake", "Huge dead end" and "Tears which died" to just name a few. You

Traditional 2D gameplay meets with fantastic three-dimensional backdrops, ensuring a very realistic feel across all five stages in Under Defeat. Controls are a very easy grasp, mastering the game will still require your full dedication: moving the stick will let you steer your copter around the screen, where you can hold one button to rotate your heli somewhat to get a better shooting angle at the military onslaught. Reminiscent of Zero Gunner 2, this adds a twist to the standard horizontal shooter take of similar games. Here, you have the choice between a "Normal" and "Reverse" option in order to set your preferences. Arsenal-wise, two face buttons unleash a steady stream of bullets (vulcan, cannon or rocket) or drop bombs. Then, there is an in-game mechanic simply called "Option". If you refrain from shooting for a while, a meter located in the lower left part of your HUD fills up and when ready, allows you to deploy an optional shooting device, which will fly alongside your machine, aiding in combat. This cool little helper can also be launched straight into enemies and has a timer, that lets your fighting buddy expire after some time. A cooldown exists also, so you've got to wait a bit before being able to whip out the next one.

Under Defeat is without a doubt one of the best genre representatives that ever existed. In case this would indeed be the last title to be released for Dreamcast (although we definitely hope for more to come!), we can't think of a better game to render SEGA's last console its swan song. See, it's not just for fans of the Dreamcast or enthusiasts of a somewhat now neglected game category. The superb shooter that Under Defeat is, seems to combine the best the genre has to offer, it's honestly that good. If you are looking for a quick-reflexes demanding challenge, a quality game for your Dreamcast or simply an action title with gorgeous graphics and great gameplay, we absolutely recommend you don't miss it.

More Screens and Videos and Info at Lik Sang ...

News from Lik Sang

The Katamari series is brilliantly unique Japanese insanity at its best, and this week came the US version! Sadly though, this may be the last entry into the series as last week Namco took down the official site and announced that Keita Takahashi and the team had moved onto other things. The concept behind the game is that playing as the Prince under The King of All Cosmos, you run around pushing a giant ball made of houses, cars, cows, people and generally anything else you roll this round monstrosity into. Eventually it becomes so huge it's sent into space to replace a star, and the people of the games world, well those that aren't rolled up in it we assume, love it.



Improving on the PS2 originals, along with an all new storyline, this PSP release features dynamic levels that change based on the time and season. Ever changing paths also ensure the game is different each time you play, and there's four player multi-player battles. Lastly there's a bonus side scrolling 2D mini game included, which can be seen here. Due to arrive today, Me & My Katamari will show you exactly what players of the PS2 titles go head over heels for, and it's the type of game you'll be dying to show your mates... so get the ball rolling by placing your order now! [Singing] Paaaaah, pah, pah, pah, pah, pah, paaah, Katamari Damaccyyyyyy... [end of chorus] ...

News from Lik Sang

Ooo-oh! Those weapon wielding Worms are back, and unlike their less popular 3D titles of late, here on the NDS and PSP they are back where they belong; in 2D gameplay. Multiplayer was always the best way to enjoy the cult series, and here which ever system you have you can engage in wireless warfare with just one copy of the game between four players! With the DS's touch screen too, you can see a radar of the whole map down below, and of course quickly make your choice of weapons.



There's six landscapes to destruct, including London, Hawaii, a Jungle, an Iceberg, Hell and even Outer Space. Every level is randomly generated, but using a 10 digit code system you can save those you loved. As always there's plenty more to customize too, from the names and voices of your worms, to their gravestones, or one of five CPU controlled personalities. Beyond a quick match, regular game and multiplayer, challenge mode has you completing a series of tasks, which is great for newbies or those who want to hone their skills. With a unique sense of humor and clever mix of action and strategy, Worms is a classic that never gets old, and both the US and Euro editions will be in stock before the week is up. ...

News from Lik Sang

Ooo-oh! Those weapon wielding Worms are back, and unlike their less popular 3D titles of late, here on the NDS and PSP they are back where they belong; in 2D gameplay. Multiplayer was always the best way to enjoy the cult series, and here which ever system you have you can engage in wireless warfare with just one copy of the game between four players! With the DS's touch screen too, you can see a radar of the whole map down below, and of course quickly make your choice of weapons.



There's six landscapes to destruct, including London, Hawaii, a Jungle, an Iceberg, Hell and even Outer Space. Every level is randomly generated, but using a 10 digit code system you can save those you loved. As always there's plenty more to customize too, from the names and voices of your worms, to their gravestones, or one of five CPU controlled personalities. Beyond a quick match, regular game and multiplayer, challenge mode has you completing a series of tasks, which is great for newbies or those who want to hone their skills. With a unique sense of humor and clever mix of action and strategy, Worms is a classic that never gets old, and both the US and Euro editions will be in stock before the week is up. ...