Village Gamer

Vancouver – Game publisher Paradox Interactive has released more details on the upcoming action/RPG title from Kerberos Productions, Fort Zombie. In Fort Zombie, players will find themselves in Piety, Indiana, a small town facing a horrifying infestation of zombies with a relentless thirst for blood. Faced with no other choice but to find shelter from an impending wave of zombies migrating from a nearby metropolis, players will be challenged to choose a building to be their Fort throughout the entire campaign. By effectively focusing efforts on building up this structure, in between scouring town for supplies and searching out and training survivors, players will have a shot at surviving the massive zombie onslaught.

Of course, all of this must be achieved while fighting off hungry hordes of the gruesome undead, who will stop at nothing to make you part of their company. For the few remaining citizens of Piety, each new day brings more fear. Only the most prepared citizens of Piety will stand a chance against the zombie infestation. Choose from a variety of daily tasks and efficiently build up your characters stats and skills as you battle blood-thirsty invaders and attempt to avoid total infestation. But the most important thing of all is that you build up your Fort if anyone is to have any hope of surviving your last, big stand-off against the coming undead swarm.

Features:

• Take control of a single building in town as you prepare for total zombie infestation
• Gather supplies and find survivors by day, defend your building by night
• Players can engage in specific single missions within the campaign and spend hours building up the ultimate fortress
• Unique character building and reward system – each day brings new missions, each with different potential rewards. How you utilize and level up your survivors will greatly affect your chances of avoiding an ultimate zombie demise

Be prepared for the fight of your lives in Fort Zombie, available for PC this autumn through all major digital distribution channels.

Vancouver – THQ and Relic Entertainment have released details about Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II – Chaos Rising™, the next standalone chapter in the critically acclaimed Real-Time Strategy series, is scheduled for release on Games For Windows-LIVE in spring 2010.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising features a new playable army, the traitorous Chaos Space Marines, and continues the epic journey of the Blood Ravens as they battle this new, more personal enemy. Chaos Rising offers new single-player and co-op campaigns, a level cap increase from 20 to 30, more powerful war-gear and a suite of innovative multiplayer options.

“Dawn of War II took intimate brutality to another level and introduced RPG-RTS hybrid gameplay,” said Jonathan Dowdeswell, general manager, Relic Entertainment. “The epic struggle between Space Marines and the forces of Chaos lets us take those two game-play elements and create an even more intense experience – this time, the battle is personal.”

Set in the grim, war-ravaged world of Games Workshop’s vast Warhammer 40,000 science fiction universe, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising transports players into the midst of an intergalactic war between ancient enemies. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising introduces the Chaos Space Marines as a new playable army, continuing the single player campaign from the original Dawn of War II.

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For those among us who are awaiting the release of Thief 4 which is currently under development at Eidos Montreal, Mastertronic has released Thief – The Complete Collection for PC, which contains all three original Thief titles. Defining stealth adventures, including the ultra-rare Gold edition of the first Thief game, the Thief franchise puts the player in the silent shoes of acolyte Garrett as he prowls his way around the City, treating gamers to an astounding visual experience. Thief – The Complete Collection retails at £9.77 on Mastertronic’s retail site. I did check several Canadian game retail sites, but could not find any listings for this compilation for sale on this side of the Atlantic.

According to a statement on Eidos Montreal’s site, General Manager Stephane D’Astous says that, “Eidos Montreal is in the early development stages for Thief 4, but this is an incredibly ambitious project and a very exciting one. It’s too early for us to offer any specific game details, right now we are focused on recruiting the very best talent to join the core team at the studio and help us make, what we believe will be one of the most exciting games on the market.” To that end, there are several job openings listed on Eidos Montreal’s web site for both Thief 4 and Deus Ex 3.

By all accounts, Klei Entertainment had a very successful presence at PAX 2009, thanks in part to the promotional efforts of Carolyn Carnes of Flash Fire Communications, who conducted a unique and intriguing marketing campaign prior to the expo. There are few details being released about Klei’s upcoming game Shank, but we can tell you that it’s a 2D side-scrolling action adventure title featuring a hero named… Shank. It appears that there will be a wide variety of weaponry, moves and enemies in the game and it’s perhaps scheduled for release in 2010. Klei has not confirmed which platform or platforms the game is being developed for, but they did hint at a possible Mature rating due to levels of violence and splattering of blood which occurs during gameplay.

BattleGoat Studios has released a demo for its upcoming war strategy title, Supreme Ruler 2020 GOLD which will give players the opportunity to engage in three different scenarios including “California Dreaming”, “Ethiopian Empire”, and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” Additionally, strategy fans will have the opportunity to play up to four in-game months at a time.

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Vancouver – Game publisher Paradox Interactive today announced that in anticipation of the upcoming expansion pack Sword of the Stars: Argos Naval Yard from Vancouver’s Kerberos Productions, Sword of the Stars: Ultimate Collection is temporarily available for $7.99 on GamersGate, Steam, Direct2Drive, and Impulse. This special price promotion lasts through this Sunday, June 13, 2009. Sword of the Stars: Ultimate Collection contains the original Sword of the Stars game and the two expansion packs Born of Blood and A Murder of Crows.

Paradox Interactive took over as publishers for the Sword of the Stars franchise in April of this year.  The original Sword of the Stars title was hailed as a major milestone in 4X Space Strategy games upon release, praised for its unique combination of turn based strategy and real-time space combat.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of Sword of the Stars series,” says Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive. “We look forward to continue bringing this game to market and further developing the IP with Kerberos for many years to come.”
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Toronto – DreamCatcher Games and JoWood Productions announce that a sequel to the successful SpellForce saga will be released this winter. SpellForce 2 – Faith in Destiny for the PC combines real time strategy with exciting role-play elements. Be part of the story, when all the loose ends tie up in a grandiose showdown between good and evil. Only you can conquer the shadows of the past and reveal the demonic conspiracy.

“Developing another game in the SpellForce saga is an exciting opportunity for us. Faith of Destiny is developed incorporating feedback from the community and feedback from those who have assisted in the development of previous Spellforce games,” says Clemens Schneidhofer, PR Coordinator at JoWooD Productions. “I’d like to add that we bow before the loyal fans of the brand and want to thank all of them for their amazing support.”

“SpellForce 2 – Faith in Destiny will continue the successful Spellforce brand,” adds David Skreiner, Associate Producer at JoWooD. “With its brand new multiplayer features and the countless detail improvements, SpellForce will, once more, set new revolutionary impulses to the genre.”

Vancouver – Paradox Interactive and Kerberos Productions today announced an expansion to the critically acclaimed 4X space strategy game series Sword of the Stars.

The new expansion, Argos Naval Yard, can be combined with either the original game or any of its previous expansions and will provide players with:

• 19 new technologies, including advanced drones, over thrusters, two new satellite designs, defensive interceptor micro-missiles, and polarized plasmatics which will unlock a new weapon type
• Over 75 new ship sections to build
• 10 new weapons, including the new inertial cannons, kelvinic torpedoes, and the fearsome rail cannon
• 3 new scenarios
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Vancouver – THQ Inc. today announced Company of Heroes®: Tales of Valor™, the next standalone chapter in Relic Entertainment’s critically-acclaimed Company of Heroes franchise, has shipped for Windows PC. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor immerses players in some of the most historic, tide-turning battles of World War II, offering three intense single-player campaigns, three new multiplayer modes and a new “direct-fire” feature that brings advanced tactical control to the battlefield. Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor is available now at retail and online outlets for Windows PC.

“Relic Entertainment is an industry leader in the Real-Time Strategy genre and continues to craft genre-defining experiences,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “With new gameplay modes and innovative features, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor brings the most intense battles of World War II to gamers like never before.”

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THQ and Relic Entertainment to Deliver “Direct Fire” Control and Intense Combat in Newest Installment of Award-Winning Company of Heroes Franchise

Vancouver – THQ Inc. today announced Company of Heroes®: Tales of Valor™, the next chapter in the critically-acclaimed Company of Heroes franchise, has reached the gold master stage of development and has entered manufacturing. Developed by award-winning Real-Time Strategy (RTS) developer, Relic Entertainment, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor offers three, intense single-player campaigns, three new multiplayer modes and an innovative “direct-fire” feature that offers an unprecedented amount of control on the battlefield. Scheduled for a nationwide release at all major retail and online outlets on April 9, 2009, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor will be available as a Games for Windows® PC title for a suggested retail price of $29.99.

“Building upon the recent critical and commercial success of Dawn of War II, Relic Entertainment is set to deliver the next great chapter in the award-winning Company of Heroes franchise,” said Kevin Kraff, vice president of global brand management, THQ. “Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor strengthens Relic Entertainment’s reputation as a leading RTS developer, with an unwavering dedication to innovative, ground-breaking gameplay experiences.”

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Sci-fi collectible card game puts players in hero’s role for strategic play. Collect new characters, each illustrated by a talented artist in a unique style, and challenge your friends

Lasalle ON – In an age where game-playing can take place across the Internet against a virtual opponent, the concept of a card game presents a low-tech but more personal alternative. No batteries, electricity, or wireless connection required — just two or more people, in person, facing off against each other in a friendly game.

For Mike Wills, a lifelong sci-fi fan, this concept has launched not only his new business, but hopefully the careers of some up-and-coming artists as well. Wills and a group of dedicated gamer friends

Li Kui

created “Herobits“, a collectible card game that allows players to become heroes in powered armor fighting to save the planet.

Inspired by his daughters’ fascination with the extended worlds created for their toys, Wills wanted to create a game for youngsters and adults who enjoy sci-fi adventures. “I saw that the toys themselves were only part of the fun for my girls. They enjoyed building a world around the characters and giving them all a bit of personality,” says Wills. “It struck me that it would be fun to be able to collect and play with a totally new set of sci-fi heroes, to be able to build on their story, and add to their heroic powers.”

Complete decks eliminate booster pack purchasing
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Toronto – Magitech Corporation has released Takeda 3 is the latest in the Takeda series of games, based on the life and times of famous 16th century Samurai Lord, Takeda Shingen.  In Takeda 3, you take command of the powerful Daimyo (feudal lord) of one of 25 historical clans of feudal Japan; engaging in diplomacy, managing your castles and territory, and commanding your armies in combat.

Takeda 3 has two main modes.  The first is the turn-based world mode, where diplomatic and strategic operations happen.  From world mode, you can click on a castle to construct new facilities such as barracks, markets, and farms.  You can also create armies and send them out to do battle.  From the palace screen, you can propose and break alliances with the other clans of Sengoku Japan.  You can also send your ninjas out on secret missions to disrupt or assassinate your enemies.

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