Via CVG

The first product to emerge from Sega's acquisition of Secret Level will be an action RPG remake of Golden Axe.

One of our favourite arcade machines from the late-'80s, the next-gen update is set to follow along similar lines as a motley crue of 'Riders' cut, hack and slay their way through animosity, either on foot or on the backs of scary-looking beasts.

The experience is also likely to be plumped up with added RPG bits, beautiful 3D visuals, the ability to recruit allies and a "unique combat experience". Sounds better than the Altered Beast remake already. (But then, what isn't?).

"Golden Axe is one of our most treasured brands and is a complete re-imagining of the story that will take gamers on an unforgettable journey," said a Sega spokesman. "The vision we have for the remake of Golden Axe is nothing short of remarkable." ...

Metroid Prime 3 has been given its full official title of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, with its first official screenshot from the E3 floor.

There are also a few new details too. You'll be charged with destroying corrupted Phazon seeds, which involves a considerable amount of space exploration and an eventual showdown with Dark Samus.

Nintendo is also promising a "quantum leap in first-person control". Moving Samus is activated by the Nunchuk controller, while aiming is achieved via the pointer. It's being labelled by the publisher as "the ultimate device for the first-person shooter genre", with the promise of controls outside of the usual genre boundaries.

Screenshot Via Comments ...

Microsoft and Bungie, in case you were unaware, announced Halo 3 yesterday at Microsoft's E3 press conference. At the conference, attendees were treated to a teaser trailer for the sequel, which we've uploaded here for your viewing pleasure! Halo 3 screenshots have also been released, and you can get an eyeful of those here too!

Master Chief returns to battle on Xbox 360 in 2007, Bungie revealing that the sequel picks up where Halo 2 left off: "The Master Chief is returning to Earth to finish the fight. The Covenant occupation of Earth has uncovered a massive and ancient object beneath the African sands - an object who's secrets have yet to be revealed. Earth's forces are battered and beaten. The Master Chief's AI companion Cortana is still trapped in the clutches of the Gravemind - a horrifying Flood intelligence, and a civil war is raging in the heart of the Covenant. This is how the world ends..."

Trailer/screens Via CVG ...

Via CVG

Microsoft's expanding Xbox Live, adding MSN Messenger compatibility to Live and bringing its great Gamertag online ID system to PCs and mobile phones.

Live Anywhere is the name of the Xbox Live system that'll come pre-installed on MSs new Windows Vista operating system. Bill Gates outlined the new evolution himself, outrageously claiming that one Gamertag will work on your 360, PC and mobile phone - and suggesting that you'll have access to all your downloaded content whether you're at home or on your mobile on the train.

Gates even outlined a utopian vision of the future of gaming, saying that you could order Xbox Live content from your phone which would then be uploaded onto your 360.

You'll be able to voice chat across systems too, with 360 and PC owners able to see and 'interact' with each other online through the all-encompassing Live Anywhere system. This could replace text messaging, with the MSN link-up letting you fire off messages to anyone, anywhere, direct to their Gamertag.

Gates demoed the system using Shadowrun, showing an Xbox 360 gamer playing - then inviting a PC-buddy to fire up his copy of the game and play across the two platforms. ...

Via CVG

Street Fighter 2, Contra and Lumines Live are heading to an Xbox 360 near you.


Xbox Live Arcade got a much needed shot in the arm today when Microsoft annoucned 18 new games at the Microsoft Pre E3 press briefing.

Crucially, big players such as Konami and Namco are on board which brings more modern classics to the Xbox 360 Market Place. That means a brilliant Live enabled version of Street Fighter 2: Hyper Fighting and Lumines Live, the new game from ex Sega genius Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Lumines Live is based on the PSP version of Lumines but will feature downloadable music videos, showing a clever new function of Market Place. Konami have confirmed a straight arcade port of the classic shooter Contra, which surely paves the way for cult classics such as Parodius.

The full list is as follows and all titles will be released by the end of May.

Cloning Clyde
Contra
Defender
Frogger
Galaga
Heavy Weapon
Lumines Live
Mutant Storm Empire
Pac Man
RoboBlitz
Scramble
Street Fighter II: Hyper Fighting
Small Arms
Texas Hole 'Em
Time Pilot
Totemball
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Uno ...

Press release:

Rockstar Games, the universally-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. Developed by Rockstar Leeds in conjunction with series creators Rockstar North, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will be available exclusively on the PSP system in North America on October 17th, 2006 and Europe on October 20th, 2006.

"The success of Liberty City Stories on the PSP system was nothing short of spectacular," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games and Executive Producer. "The incredible PSP system technology allowed us to do things we never thought possible on a handheld system and we are excited to once again give our audience a fresh experience in one of their favorite locales in the Grand Theft Auto series, Vice City. With Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories we look to once again smash expectations of portable gaming, bringing an all new story and exciting new gameplay elements to this classic setting.”

"Our collaboration with Rockstar Leeds has been a tremendous experience," said Leslie Benzies, President of Rockstar North. "Together we have been able to create uncompromising experiences on the PSP system that not only stay true to our initial vision for the series but that surpasses our own goals of what could be done on a handheld. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will thrill longtime fans and excite new PSP system gamers like never before.”

"We are proud of what we were able to achieve with Rockstar North on Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories," said Gordon Hall, President of Rockstar Leeds. "By staying true to the high standards of the series and surpassing fans’ expectations for a Grand Theft Auto title on a portable machine we feel confident that Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories will redefine what handheld gaming is capable of with the most intense PSP system experience yet.”

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is a new game in the Grand Theft Auto series with an entirely new storyline, new missions and gameplay that brings an unprecedented experience to mobile gaming. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories features the interactive, open environment of Vice City with professional voice talent, a diverse soundtrack and high production values that have become trademarks of this landmark series. ...

Nokia showcases its first range of next generation mobile games at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Visitors to the Nokia N-Gage booth are the first to experience demos of the new games coming to a range of Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices, including: Creatures of the Deep, ONE, Pocket Aces, Pro Series Golf, Space Impact and System Rush: Evolution.

“Nokia is redefining current mobile games benchmarks by offering top quality games on a range of devices,” says Gregg Sauter, director of games publishing, Nokia. “Whether you have a few seconds to make a catch in Creatures of the Deep or a few minutes to fight to the top in ONE, we make it easy and convenient to get and play great quality games on your Nokia device.”

All Nokia N-Gage games for the next generation platform have been designed specifically for mobile devices, where multiplayer gaming and community gaming features via the N-Gage Arena come as standard.

In addition to showcasing the first set of next generation mobile games on a range of Nokia devices, the Nokia N-Gage booth will feature previously announced games such as Mile High Pinball, Habbo Islands and Shadow-Born. The new games line-up includes:
Creatures of the Deep
Creatures of the Deep takes you on a fishing adventure like no other. Travel through some of the world’s most exotic angler destinations, cast your line and catch boatloads of fish, sea creatures, and underwater items to store in your virtual live-well. The single player career mode will challenge you with dozens of quests as you freely roam the expansive fantasy and real-world fishing destinations. Sense the subtle bites on your lure with vibration feedback. Also, E3 visitors are invited to take part in the “Catch the N-Gage Fish” contest for the chance to win a 6-night/4-day fishing package for two at the Crocodile Bay Resort in Costa Rica.

ONE – Who’s Next?
In 2004, ONE set the standard for graphics performance in mobile games. Developed by Digital Legends Entertainment, ONE now brings the global fighting community and Nokia Nseries multimedia computers together. The sequel shown at E3 2006 features more advanced graphics, including real-time reflections, light glow and game play at 30 frames per second. Controls and playability are also pushing the boundaries, including adaptable controls and all new scenarios, some designed for landscape mode gaming. The graphics are best appreciated live at the Nokia N-Gage stand, booth #900 in the South Hall.

Pocket Aces: Texas Hold’em
Nokia ups the ante with a mobile version of this Sin City staple – Pocket Aces: Texas Hold’em. This poker game in your pocket lets you wager, raise the stakes and bluff your way to the top, or hit rock bottom – against friends and strangers alike. Single player and multiplayer Pocket Aces offers online tournaments, online head-to-head match ups, and rankings. Winnings in Pocket Aces have real value; players create their own gambler identity and use their winnings to customize their fully 3D avatar. In addition, the avatar learns the user’s poker strategies, and eventually becomes capable of playing on it's own!

Pro Series Golf
Do you have what it takes to compete on Pinehurst No. 2? Want to tee up alongside the historic views at the links of Doonbeg? Play Pro Series Golf, the most expansive multiplayer-mobile professional golf game ever, where you can challenge your friends or golfers around the world via the N-Gage Arena. Play as one of six professional golfers including Sergio Garcia, KJ Choi, Retief Goosen, Annika Sorenstam, Colin Montgomerie and Casey Wittenberg, and drive your way to victory.

Space Impact
This addictive Nokia arcade franchise flies to the next generation. You can customize your fighter with various weapons and battle more than 30 unique enemies, including explosive ballistic cannons and deadly energy leeches, while navigating across 10 action-packed levels. Dodge enemy projectiles to increase your power meter, or unleash devastating combo attacks. Win the missions to earn money and buy upgrades between battles. More than 30 different ship parts can be used to trick out your Skyblade. Collect extra upgrades by completing missions, or acquire exclusive power-ups from the N-Gage Arena.

System Rush: Evolution
Chase, shoot and fly your way to freedom in Nokia’s most distinctive futuristic interactive 3D racing game sequel. System Rush: Evolution – the latest and most visually stunning racing game to appear on a mobile device takes place in an authoritarian planet-wide “lock down”, where players are pitted against new network defenses and hacker bosses. The player possesses a new form of experimental technology to shatter the 10 newly installed network “firewalls” and prove to the corrupt governments that the flow of information will never be halted. Our ...

Nokia and Gameloft today announced a strategic collaboration to make a range of award winning Gameloft mobile games easily available to Nokia device owners. The relationship will allow for deeper cooperation between the two companies regarding development cooperation to ensure timely support of new Nokia handsets and technologies as well as the distribution of Gameloft games.

As part of this relationship, Gameloft will develop a number of Gameloft franchises for Nokia’s next generation mobile games platform which is expected to launch in the first half of 2007. As key industry leaders, Nokia and Gameloft will seek to bring increased value to consumers and channel partners through the delivery of fantastic games that are easy to discover, purchase and play.

“Nokia’s next generation-platform will provide a gaming experience that has never been seen on a mobile device and we’re dedicated to support it with our best titles and brands,” said Michel Guillemot, President, Gameloft. “We’re very excited to strengthen our relationship with Nokia, who is the world’s leader in mobile communications.”

“Gameloft has been a driving force in the mobile games industry so it’s only natural for us to increase our level of cooperation as we evolve our mobile games strategy and launch our next generation games platform next year,” said Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, Multimedia, Nokia. “Gameloft has an amazing portfolio of mobile games and supporting technologies that generate fantastic mobile experiences. Working with them fits well with our strategy.” ...

Nokia today showcases the consumer experience of its new mobile gaming platform at the 2006 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). For the first time, visitors can explore the key part of this new experience – a pre-installed application which allows consumers to easily find, buy and play rich and immersive games on a range of Nokia Nseries multimedia computers and other Nokia S60 devices. These next generation mobile games are designed specifically for mobile devices which means they are quick to pick up, fun to play and hard to put down.

“Today, visitors can discover for themselves what Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming strategy is all about,” says Jaakko Kaidesoja, director, games, Multimedia, Nokia. “Our aim with this new strategy is to make entertaining, top quality mobile games accessible to as many people as possible. With this new mobile gaming experience available on a range of Nokia smartphones, we’re making gaming a core part of your mobile entertainment.”

Smartphones, such as the Nokia Nseries range of multimedia computers, are driving the growth of mobile gaming and are integral to Nokia’s mobile gaming strategy. With their advanced telephony and rich internet functionality, Nokia smartphones can provide the highest quality of connected mobile games that are always with you.

“We’ve also announced a strategic cooperation with Gameloft,” adds Kaidesoja. “By working with this leading games publisher, we´re making even more games available for Nokia device owners. This collaboration will improve mobile gaming experiences in our next generation mobile gaming platform.”

Gaming communities are another key element of Nokia’s mobile gaming strategy. The N-Gage Arena will be a core part of Nokia’s next generation mobile gaming experience as well as the SNAP Mobile Java activities.

“The ‘community’ aspect is an extremely important differentiator and all our next generation mobile games will be N-Gage Arena compatible,” continues Kaidesoja. “With the new user interface, the N-Gage Arena is only a few clicks away, providing access to your friends, rivals, heroes and other gamers. We want to not only entertain, but connect gamers to one another by allowing them to share game achievements and chat online.”

Nokia also announced its first range of games for the new mobile gaming platform including: Creatures of the Deep, ONE, Pocket Aces, Pro Series Golf, Space Impact and System Rush: Evolution. Demos of all new games are available on a range of Nokia devices at the Nokia N-Gage stand, situated in the South Hall, booth #900 at E3 2006.

For more information and live updates from the E3 show floor, visit www.n-gage.com/e3.

Media can download logos, screenshots and more from the Nokia N-Gage E3 press site. Visit
www.extranet.n-gage.com with the following username: ngageate3 and password: assets4me. ...