via Eurogamer


Genius Products has said Line Rider will be sledding onto Wii, DS and PC this summer.

This, of course, is a remake of the popular Internet game that lets you draw your own ramps, hills and jumps, then let a physics-ruled hero loose on them.

However, there will be lots more on offer here. Developer InXile (of comedy RPG The Bard's Tale fame) is adding fresh game modes, more riders, extensive community features and polished creator tools.

The new game also has a storyline. You will take on the role of Bosh, who has to defeat bad-guy Chaz by solving around 40 increasingly puzzling levels. These have been put together by Line Rider champion TechDawg. Who sounds hard.

This will the first game US company Genius Products has published, incidentally, which is why the name is unfamiliar. We've contacted the developer for clarification over who will be dishing it out in Europe.

Those of you eager for this should pop over to the Line Rider website to try the game out, and watch what can be done in a huge selection of videos. ...

via Eurogamer


Genius Products has said Line Rider will be sledding onto Wii, DS and PC this summer.

This, of course, is a remake of the popular Internet game that lets you draw your own ramps, hills and jumps, then let a physics-ruled hero loose on them.

However, there will be lots more on offer here. Developer InXile (of comedy RPG The Bard's Tale fame) is adding fresh game modes, more riders, extensive community features and polished creator tools.

The new game also has a storyline. You will take on the role of Bosh, who has to defeat bad-guy Chaz by solving around 40 increasingly puzzling levels. These have been put together by Line Rider champion TechDawg. Who sounds hard.

This will the first game US company Genius Products has published, incidentally, which is why the name is unfamiliar. We've contacted the developer for clarification over who will be dishing it out in Europe.

Those of you eager for this should pop over to the Line Rider website to try the game out, and watch what can be done in a huge selection of videos. ...

via Games Industry


With the recently-announced Xbox 360 price cuts in Europe, a US price drop may not be far behind according to some analysts.

In the US, the current retail price of the basic Xbox 360 model is USD 279.99 - compared to USD 249.99 for the Nintendo Wii and USD 399.99 for the 40GB PlayStation 3. A price drop of just USD 50 would price the Xbox 360 below the Wii and further increase the gap with the PS3.


Colin Sebastian, an analyst with Lazard Capital Markets, agrees that a US price cut is a strong possibility.

"We believe price cuts are also likely in North America on the Xbox 360, possibly combined with the long anticipated announcement of a new hardware sku with a larger hard drive," he told GamesIndustry.biz.

"As for PS3, Sony probably takes a wait and see approach as to whether Blu-ray momentum and an improving software lineup can sustain higher demand, although competitively they may be left with little choice if pricing continues to limit market share."

Will a lower-priced Xbox 360 take away potential Wii customers - especially if Nintendo's system continues to be supply constrained?

"I think that's a fair point," Sebastian said, "although I think the Wii success has more to do with the gaming experience than the price point." ...

via Games Industry


Electronic Arts' new IP Army of Two has knocked Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games off the top of the UK All Formats charts.

Army of Two is the first new property to take the number one spot in 2008, as sales of Sega's sports game drop by 32 per cent.

Sixty six per cent of sales for the EA game are on the Xbox 360, with the remaining 34 per cent on Sony's PlayStation 3.

There are two other new entries in the top ten this week – Rockstar's Bully: Scholarship Edition from Mad Doc at number four and Relic's Warhammer: 40,000 Dawn of War Soulstorm at number eight.

The only top ten title to have increased it sales this week is Midway's Game Party on Wii, up from number 13 to number seven.

The other two new entries in the top forty are THQ's MX Vs ATV Unleashed at 18 and Koei's Dynasty Warriors 6 at 19.


The full All Formats top ten follows:

1. Army of Two
2. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
3. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training
4. Bully: Scholarship Edition
5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
6. Frontlines: Fuel of War
7. Game Party
8. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Soulstorm
9. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
10. Lost: The Videogame ...

via Computer and Video Games


ELPSA's own CTU, the Anti-Piracy Unit has struck again, by capturing and sentencing a Welshman for producing and selling copied games. When will they learn that you just don't mess with the APU?

Codename "Operation Buzzard" (we told you they were badass) saw the capture of a 46-year-old man, nicknamed the Welsh Games Barron (by us), who has now been sentenced for four years imprisonment for his dirty game copying deeds.

Upon hearing of the Cullen's shady dealings, ELPSA's black helicopters descended on West Hollywood... erm, we mean Coed Mawr market in Flintshire, where the Cullen's ran a stall with a massive banner that said 'The DVD man - for all your top quality DVDs at rock bottom prices'.

Cullen and his 25-year-old daughter were charging £5 each for the illegal games as well as offering three for £10 or seven for £20 (you just don't get deals like that at GameStation).

A series of coordinated raids seized equipment used in the manufacture of illegally copied games and large quantities of counterfeit goods.

When it was discovered that the Barron, the cheeky git, had claimed nearly £69,000 in Income Support despite often flying first class to Thailand, the feds got really pissed and imposed a further £190,000 confiscation order.

And if he doesn't pay it within six months? Another three years in the nick. Have that.

His daughter was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, 150 hours unpaid work and 50 lashes (we made one of those up).

Michael Rawlinson, managing director of ELSPA, commented: "ELSPA would like to thank everyone involved with Operation Buzzard for their work and helping to protect local traders and the general community from the effects of pirated goods.

"The simple fact about piracy of video games, music and films is that it is illegal and punishable by fines, Community Service and jail sentences. No matter which way you look at counterfeiting it is nothing more than theft. Counterfeiters are only out for one thing: money. And because of this consumers who buy counterfeit games have no recourse under law for faulty goods." ...

via IGN


Do you like popping the bubbles on bubble wrap? Then Bandai Namco Games has the game for you! The company announced today Ouchide Mugen Puti Puti, an original Wii Ware title about popping bubble wrap.

Set for Japanese release in Spring, the 800 Wii Point title is actually based around Bandai's popular Mugen Puti Puti toy. To see why that device has sold over 1.7 million units, check out this streaming video. Warning: extreme Japanese insanity!

The Wii Ware adaption of the toy uses the Wiimote's sound and rumble features to recreate the feel of actually popping bubbles. Unlike the toy, the videogame is able to replicate the feel of popping more than one bubble at a time.

We're not exactly sure what you do aside from just popping bubbles, but there seems to be quite a bit of gameplay packed in. Bandai Namco is working on 40 unique stages along with a mind test mode which checks your stress level. Two player competitive play is also planned.

This definitely sounds like one of those games that gets released in Japan and never makes it past the outgoing immigration room at Narita. But, then again, seeing as how this is a Wiiware release, perhaps Bandai Namco would be willing to let international audiences sample some of this wackiness. ...

via Joystiq


Another continent getting Wii Fit before the US? Oh, the irony. Gamespot reports Wii Fit will help Australians through their winter doldrums beginning May 8 at the suggested price of $150 Australian ($140 USD, €91). The Aussie retail Wii Fit includes the same peripherals and software as other regions.

Wii Fit has already sold over a million units in Japan and is ready to feel the burn in Europe beginning April 25 for £69.99 in the UK, and €89.99 for everyone else. The US has a scheduled release of May 19, but no price has been set. ...

via Joystiq


Nintendo's chief explanation for Error Code 85010 goes something like: "Ours [sic] servers may be trying to handle an unusually high amount of traffic (especially if you are trying to play online with a recently-released or popular game, or if there is a new Wii system update). Please wait a few hours and try the connection again later." That's an oblique way of stating, simply: You're trying to play Smash Bros., aren't you?

Brawl's online component isn't entirely dysfunctional. If you've traded digits, playing 'with friends' is stable, and also permits more than one player from the same Wii to participate. Likewise, Spectator Mode is almost always working if you're the faceless voyeur-type who also likes to spend a little coin (in this case, on arbitrary betting). But when it comes to random brawls 'with anyone,' Nintendo's Wi-Fi Connection tends to get, um, stressed. Good luck getting anything more than a few rounds with the sandbag before the service drops you during peak hours -- also known as, 'nights and weekends.'

When contacted, Nintendo assured us that its technicians are looking into the problem. See what happens when you hire a pair of plumbers to build your server farm out of warp pipes?

[Note: If you've received Error Code 85010 and are unable to establish any kind of online connection, then the problem could be associated with your internet service (dude, dial-up is so not gonna work -- ever) or your router (Wii can be picky). Refer to Nintendo Customer Service for more information.] ...

via Games Industry


Nintendo Japan has unveiled the launch line-up for its WiiWare download service in the territory, with the news that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as King, Dr Mario & Saikin Bokumetsu and Pokemon Ranch will all be available on launch day - March 25.

The pricing structure for the launch titles has also been revealed, with the cheapest games costing 500 Wii Points (GBP 3.50 / USD 5) and the most expensive costing 1500 Wii Points (GBP 10.50 / USD 15).

The titles available on March 25, with Wii Point pricing, is as follows:

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life as King - 1500
Dr Mario & Saikin Bokumetsu - 1000
Pokemon Ranch Channel - 1000
Lonpos - 1000
Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan - 1000
Saku Saku Animal Panic - 1000
Star Soldier R - 800
Okiraku Ping Pong - 500
Angels Solitaire - 500 ...