Newly released today:



Already widely considered the most authentic baseball game available, MLB 08 The Show™ is set to provide fans with the most realistic baseball experience to date with innovations such as a more immersive Road to The Show mode, enabling gamers to play both offense and defense from the created player’s perspective.

Providing players with some additional performance incentives, the MLB franchise introduces the new Progressive Batting Performance feature, which will both reward players for superior performance and penalize them for hitting slumps. Specific to each individual batter, players will be rewarded with slight contact bonuses, or punished with slight decreases in contact, based on how that batter that performs beyond his "natural ability" while under user control.

http://www.play-asia.com/SOap-23-83-...j-70-2hm6.html ...

via Games Industry


Videogames allow the simulation of rape, and are the cause of real-life murders, according to one MP in a parliamentary debate on Friday.

Members of Parliament attended the debate to discuss the merits of a Private Member's Bill on violence in films and videogames, and decide if it would receive a Second Reading.

The Bill seeks to reform the BBFC in order to make it "accountable to Parliament and the public in a way that should encourage a return to more responsible decisions," in the words of its sponsor, Julian Brazier, Conservative member for Canterbury.

He was supported by Keith Vaz, Labour member for Leicester East, who has a long-standing connection with the violence issue following his stance on the murder of Stefan Pakeerah in 2004 in which he cited Rockstar's Manhunt as an inspiration - and he brought that particular example to light once again.


The Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, Margaret Hodge, later pointed out that there had been no evidence to support Mr Vaz's ongoing claims.


Mr Vaz, who complained in part of his speech that proponents of his argument have been "pilloried in the press that is sponsored by the videogames industry," went on to discuss the differences between films and videogames.


Ed Vaizey, Conservative member for Wantage, questioned that last point later on - addressing Mr Brazier as Mr Vaz had left already -"I checked the point with the BBFC and found it to be completely unaware of any such videogame," he said.


Mr Brazier replied that he was unable to comment on "the rape in games issue".

Following the session, which lasted almost five hours and ended before proceedings had been completed, the vote on whether or not the Bill will proceed to a Second Reading will now take place when the debate resumes on Friday, when Ms Hodge will complete her response to the various remarks made during the first session, including those belonging to Mr Vaz.

As well as a CMS Select Committee investigation into the effects of violence on the internet and in videogames, the Byron Report set up by the Prime Minister is due to report before the end of this month. ...

New from SuccessHK who ship worldwide:



The hit Cartoon Network series, Naruto, comes to the portable 3-D fighting arena featuring impressive graphics, fast-paced action, and wireless multiplayer. Battle your way to the top with the #1 hyper-active, knucklehead ninja and all of his friends in this incredible 3-D fighter for the Nintendo DS ...

New from SuccessHK who ship worldwide:



A perfect re-creation of Bubble Bobble's frantic platforming gameplay, complete with all the secrets and fun that made the original such a classic. Compact levels are spread across the two DS screens, complete with charmingly detailed versions of the series' signature enemies. Rendered in keeping with the original's retro aesthetic, both the level layout and the characters fit the Bubble Bobble style perfectly. Bub and Bob are now joined by newcomer Bubu, as each shoot bubbles in different hues, and can be switched in the blink of an eye with a tap of a shoulder button. A new star bubble has also been introduced which allows the player to change the color of all enemies when burst, with an ability to choose the enemies' color by shooting the star bubble with the player's selected character. ...

via Computer and Video Games


38 percent of gamers are female, according to a report by the Entertainment Software Association, sourced by CNN technology.

According to the ESA, girl gamers spend 7.4 hours a week playing games, in-between hiding every television remote and moaning that we've left the toilet seat up.

Studies and sales data have shown that women are more likely to play casual handheld games such as the DS, along with "social games" like The Sims, where women apparently make up more than 55 percent of players (and not just because you can cook and clean!! Sorry, we had to).

"Women are out there in significant numbers playing MMOs, action games, first-person shooters," said Sony Online Entertainment marketing lady Torrie Dorrell. "What is lacking in the equation are women behind these games."

Despite the fancy new figures pointing to the amount of women playing games, they represent just under 12 percent of the industry, according to the International Game Developers Association.

Courtney Simmons, another PR women at SOE, said she wants to see "more women making games," and, "making more games that women want to play."

The MMO developer isn't sitting idly on its dream either; to help balance the sex equation it's setup G.I.R.L., Gamers In Real Life, a scholarship program to attract more young women to careers in game development.

"There is a lack of understanding about how women play," said Simmons, adding that she believes that women are being "gamed down to."

What about Jade Raymond? She makes games for girls, right? Stabbing Knights with throwing knives is wicked. ...

New from SuccessHK who ship worldwide:



Focusing on strengthening the right hemisphere of the brain by challenging the player's memory, concentration, reflexes, deduction and analytical abilities, Brain Assist features four nurses to choose from to act as guides and help players through the game. Each game increases in difficulty and demands that players think fast to truly maximise their memory's potential and response times. Players will then be put to the test again in the "Lightning Round" where the pace and difficulty of gameplay becomes even more challenging. Brain Assist takes full advantage of the Nintendo DS Touch Screen technology and allows for an addictive interactive gameplay experience in either two-player co-op mode or fast-paced competitions for up to four players via the Nintendo DS Wireless Connection. ...

New from SuccessHK who ship worldwide:



Bratz Babyz Super Heroz are here to save the day! Aliens have landed on Earth at the Stylesville Adventure Planet. One of their alien devices, the "Matter Exchanger," fell into the wrong hands and transformed the Babyz into Super Heroz! With their newfound Super Powers, the Babyz use their abilities to help the citizens of Stylesville and battle the evil invading aliens. Join the Super Heroz for a jammed packed action adventure that is out of this world! ...

New from SuccessHK who ship worldwide:



As a passenger of Oceanic flight 815, you survived the crash and find yourself on an uncharted island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. As you begin to unravel mysteries of the island, you begin to discover secrets of your own. You will have to understand your past mistakes in order to survive and find your way home ...

New from SuccessHK is a range of Hello Kitty Pouches for Nintendo DS:



Officially licensed pouch
Suitable for the Nintendo DS Lite
Can protect your console from dusty and scratches ...