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Players can get a taste of life as the galaxy’s most notorious criminal, Riddick, with the playable demo of The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena available now for download on Xbox Live^®.

Featuring the Athena Main Decks level, the demo showcases the evocative art style and breadth of gameplay contained in The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, including brutal melee combat, nerve-rattling stealth, and high-powered gunplay. Among other gameplay elements, the demo also lets players try one of the game’s unique features, controlling a Drone, while classic Riddick cut-scenes bring the harsh Riddick universe into sharp focus.

The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena will ship for Xbox 360^®, PLAYSTATION^®3 and PC on April 7 in North America and April 24 in Europe.  The PS3 demo will be available on PLAYSTATION^® Network in March

 March 2009 – NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe announced today that Klonoa^® will be available in Europe for Wii™ in 2009.  Klonoa’s long-awaited return offers vibrant graphics, motion control and new secrets to discover in this update to the series’ debut adventure.  Highly revered as one of the best platform games of the past 10 years, Klonoa will ignite Wii owners’ imaginations with addictive gameplay, exciting stages and a memorable story.

Help Klonoa save Phantomile, a land formed by the dreams of its inhabitants, and recently besieged by an unknown evil.  Klonoa’s breathtaking journey takes him through a series of increasingly difficult stages across multiple kingdoms as he strives to save his friends and homeland.  Throughout his quest, Klonoa is aided by his friend Hewpoe, a benevolent spirit who resides in the ring from which Klonoa is able to fire his Wind Bullet.  The Wind Bullet gives Klonoa the ability to grab and inflate his enemies and use them to his advantage.

With a simple move of the Wii Remote™ Klonoa can throw captured enemies to break obstacles, uncover hidden items or defeat other enemies.  Klonoa can also use any enemy he is holding to perform a double jump which allows him to reach high ledges or jump across large pits.  By moving the Nunchuk™, Klonoa can use his whirlwind to slowdown approaching enemies.  In addition to the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls, Klonoa offers a wide range of control options for any style of play, including Wii Remote only, Classic Controller and the Nintendo GameCube™ controller. 

Atari today announced that RACE Pro has reached the chequered flag as it races into retail stores.  Developed by renowned award-winning game developer SimBin, a leading creator of PC racing simulators, RACE Pro brings SimBin’s formidable skill and know-how exclusively to the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for the very first time. 

“Atari is committed to working with the industry’s finest developers, and SimBin is at the top of the game when it comes to racing simulations.  RACE Pro is the first time SimBin has brought its incredible expertise to console and we’re proud to be launching it with them,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames, the parent company of Atari.  “RACE Pro is the most realistic racing game available on console, and is accessible to newcomers while having the depth to satisfy the most demanding petrol-head.”

RACE Pro has already received impressive review score

“When it comes to handling, Race Pro features one of the most rewarding – and possibly the most accurate – car physics model on current console hardware. 8/10″ – Edge magazine, UK

“The illusion of driving a real racing car is almost perfect. 1.41 (93%)” – Computer Bild Spiele magazine, Germany

“There is no other game right now that has the same sense of racing as Race Pro. 9/10” – Superplay magazine, Sweden

“One of the best race games on the 360, period” – Games Guide magazine, Benelux

“Atari and Simbin succeed with Race Pro in delivering a master stroke on console. 17/20” – Joypad magazine, France

RACE Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience, all powered by Lizard, SimBin’s own physics engine. With precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag.  RACE Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks. Putting players in the driving seats of their simulated racing careers, racers will have the opportunity to work their way up the leader boards through intense training and winning key races. 

The wealth of cars in RACE Pro ranges from 200 to over 1000 horse power, encompassing a host of championships including WTCC (World Touring Car Championship), Formula 3000 and Formula BMW. GT cars from manufacturers including Aston Martin and Saleen take their place on the grid as well as production cars such as the Audi R8 and Dodge Viper SRT10.  In addition, RACE Pro is exclusively bringing all the WTCC cars from manufacturers BMW, Chevrolet and Seat to Xbox 360 for the very first time.  For a blast of accessible fun, the Mini Cooper Challenge invites players of all abilities to take the wheel. 

Gamers and racing fans alike will experience the thrill of racing these powerful cars on 13 real life tracks covering all continents, of which Macau, Porto and Pau are exclusive to RACE Pro, and US tracks Laguna Seca and Road America are brand new to SimBin fans.

 Online play via Xbox LIVE® online game service and System Link support lets up to 12 players take on equally high-powered opponents and test their skills to the limit to reach the finish line ahead of the pack.  For friends closer to home, the brand new ‘Hot Seat’ feature puts players in the driving seat for a limited amount of time before passing the controller to the next player and so on, demanding exceptionally quick reactions and precision racing from even the most seasoned drivers.RACE Pro provides deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks.  Smell the burning rubber of tyres on a hairpin bend and feel the vibrations of a revved-up engine on the grid … Nothing gets closer than RACE Pro, available in stores now.

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe today announced NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja 4, the first video game based on the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN anime series. Featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles, the game debuts a number of new and exciting characters as well as several new modes of play for the most comprehensive NARUTO video game experience ever.

Set two and a half years after Naruto left the Hidden Leaf Village to undergo a strict training regiment with his mentor Jiraiya, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 lets players experience this exciting new storyline for the first time. Returning to help save his rival Sasuke from the evil Orochimaru, Naruto is reunited with all his old friends, only to find that a mysterious organization known as Akatsuki now poses an even more ominous threat to the Village.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 features several unique game modes that offer different play experiences as players immerse themselves in the world of ninja. The new Master Mode combines role-playing and action platforming elements, telling the story of how Naruto came to return to the Hidden Leaf Village after his training with Jiraiya. Players can collect items in this mode to unlock characters in Free Battle Mode, featuring the series’ trademark one-on-one ninja battles for one or two players. Packed with new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN characters such as Deidara, Sasori and Chiyo as well as updated versions of fan favorites such as Gaara, Kakashi and Sakura, the game features 52 total playable characters to take into battle.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN : Ultimate Ninja 4 will be the first video game based on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, giving players their first look at how Naruto’s world has changed in the two and a half years since he left his friends to refine his ninja training. Featuring the biggest roster of playable characters ever in the Ultimate Ninja franchise and a variety of new and engaging game modes, it’s everything Naruto fans need to immerse themselves in the characters and storyline of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN.

Atari bring award winning online gaming to handhelds with the announcement that N+, the successor to the award-winning and beloved flash ninja game N, is heading to European shores following its North American Launch in August 2008.  Created by Metanet and developed by SilverBirch Studios, N+ will leap onto the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) in March and Nintendo DS™ in April 2009.

Named “Best in Show” for PSP by Gaming Excellence and “Best Handheld” by Blast Magazine at 2008’s E3, N+ offers equal parts platformer and action gameplay with incredibly fluid animation, fast action, amazing acrobatics and instant playability, adding to the successful formula that made N a hit online.  N+ embodies the same brisk pick-up-and-play style that has endeared gamers worldwide and improves on the adored flash game with downloadable content, multiplayer components and a built-in level editor.

“N+ is an example of how great game experiences can work across different platforms, in this case taking a brilliant and hugely successful internet Flash game and not only faithfully recreating but enhancing the experience on PSP and DS,” said Cyril Voiron, VP Brand Management, Worldwide Publishing, Atari.

N+ takes all the great elements of the flash game, from the amazing acrobatics to the simple-but-fast gameplay, and adds an impressive set of new features including full support for wireless multiplayer, cartridge sharing ability, downloadable content and community leader boards.

New features like cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes and level sharing over the ad-hoc PSP system and wireless Nintendo DS connections will expand upon the gameplay possibilities that have made original flash game a sensation.  Complimenting the game’s ‘old-school’ feel, the control layout uses directional buttons and one of the face buttons to jump and move.  With the built-in level editor, players can use the stylus to design maps and share them with friends or the world and downloadable content will continue to add exciting elements long after the game’s initial release.

Controleurs van de Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit hebben de afgelopen week gerichte rookcontroles gehouden in een aantal steden. In Breda werden 26 overtredingen geconstateerd, in Alkmaar en omgeving 45, in Zwolle 12 en in Rotterdam 27. In totaal werden er afgelopen week 221 bedrijfsbezoeken uitgevoerd, waarbij 103 maatregelen werden genomen.

In zowel Breda als Alkmaar werd de gerichte handhavingsactie over drie avonden verdeeld. In Breda werden bijna negentig bedrijven bezocht. De actie in de binnenstad van Breda verliep probleemloos. Ook in Alkmaar en omgeving gingen de controleurs drie avonden achtereen op pad. In totaal werden in Alkmaar, Bergen, Akersloot, Castricum en Egmond 83 bedrijven gecontroleerd. Tegen vier bedrijven in Alkmaar werd een tweede maatregel opgemaakt.

In Zwolle werd een handhavingsactie gehouden, waarbij zestig bedrijven werden gecontroleerd. Er werden twaalf maatregelen werden genomen. In het centrum van Rotterdam vonden 51 controles bij cafés plaats. Er werden 27 overtredingen geconstateerd; drie bedrijven gingen voor de derde keer in de fout.

Er vond ook een controle plaats in Alphen aan den Rijn. Van de negen bezochte bedrijven overtraden er zes de regels. Voor vijf bedrijven was het de tweede keer dat ze in de fout gingen.

De VWA controleerde de afgelopen week ook in Leiden (elf overtredingen), Meppel (tien), Sliedrecht (twee), Hillegom, Lisse en Noordwijkerhout (drie), Kampen (een), Axel en Goes (nul) en Zwartewaterland (vier).

Sinds 1 oktober heeft de VWA ruim 2600 bedrijven in heel Nederland gecontroleerd en werd ruim 700 keer een maatregel genomen.

In Hello Kitty Big City Dreams you get to play as the lovable and cute Hello Kitty and explore a whole new world of excitement, fun and friends. Big City Dreams contains all the game elements young gamers love including a fun city to explore, meeting new friends, a ‘changing rooms’ theme that allows gamers to redecorate Kitty’s apartment, and of course choosing new clothes for Hello Kitty.

The colourful Big City is separated into three exciting, fun filled areas. In the first you will find Hello Kitty’s customizable apartment and be able to explore its open spaces and parks around her new home. As you explore you can take a swing at Baseball with Pochacco, take to the water and photograph the Big City’s wildlife with Kuririn’s boat trip, or skip along with the lovable Twin Stars.

Hello Kitty Big City Dreams is out on 28th November and is set to become the must have DS title for young gamers and girls this Christmas.

The site will also include the following features:

· Information about the game

· Character Profiles

· Game Trailer

· Competition to win copies of the game and a Nintendo DS

· Exclusive Downloads

· Exclusive Wallpapers (coming soon)

LYON, FRANCE – 26 November 2008 – It’s time to reshape cold war history as Atari announce the forthcoming launch of Codename Panzers: Cold War, the latest PC real-time strategy title in the acclaimed Codename Panzers series from developers Stormregion and InnoGlow. The tense period in history when a word out of place could lead to all-out war provides a chilling backdrop for the real-time strategic action of Codename Panzers: Cold War, scheduled for release worldwide in February 2009 for Windows PC.

During the Cold War conflict the status quo between the occupying Allied and Soviet forces rests on a knife edge, when an aircraft accident over Tempelhof Airport during the Berlin Blockade threatens to tip the scales towards full-blown conflict. The tragic collision of an American cargo plane with a Russian fighter costs not only the lives of both crews, but proves to be all the encouragement Stalin and his Red Army needs to wage all out bloody war against the NATO forces.

“The intensely realistic scenarios of the cold war era make it one of the richest and dynamic periods in history to set a game,” said Phil Harrison, President, Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari. “With the added benefit of Stormregion’s online gameplay innovations, Codename Panzers: Cold War will continue the success of its predecessors.”

Codename Panzers: Cold War represents the pinnacle of Cold War era conventional warfare including real world post-war heavy armor battles between heavy tanks like the American M103 and the Russian Troyanov. To take the gameplay beyond build-and-rush tactics the game uses a Point of Interest system, with distinctive structures on the map that teams must occupy to gain additional Prestige Points. Depending on the location and type of structures you occupy, Prestige Points can then be used to call in special attacks like napalm or helicopter support, or to produce additional units. Infantry can employ special urban warfare tactics like building and taking cover, constructing fortifications or tunneling, while the dynamic weather conditions affect unit behaviour and limit sight range creating even more tactical gameplay depth.

Taking the Cold War online, Codename Panzers: Cold War features extensive multiplayer gameplay options including coop, deathmatch and domination modes. A high level of customization means that entire armies can bear their own unique livery and that every single unit including tanks can be customized with equipment including flamethrowers, amphibian devices, camouflage nets and more. The title is undergoing extensive fine tuning and balancing of the gameplay prior to launch to ensure the most satisfying RTS experience possible.

With highly detailed visuals generated by Stormregion’s next-generation engine and online multiplayer for up to 8 players, Codename Panzers: Cold War brings the full cold-blooded chill of war to RTS fans, scheduled for release in February 2009.

Atari, one of the world’s most recognized video game publishers, announced today the addition of the highly anticipated Ghostbusters: The Video Game to its 2009 release schedule. Working closely with Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. and acclaimed development studio Terminal Reality, Atari will bring this completely new story to advanced gaming platforms coinciding with the 25th anniversary celebration of the film’s original theatrical release. Ghostbusters: The Video Game, based on the smash hit motion picture franchise, also reunites original cast members to recapture the unique blend of humour and fright that established Ghostbusters as a pop culture sensation.

“Ghostbusters: The Video Game is a fantastic addition to Atari’s global line-up in 2009,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari. “The title has built considerable anticipation and excitement among game fans for its high quality action and all-out mayhem. There’s no more thrilling Ghostbusting experience to be had, short of building your own proton pack.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with Atari on Ghostbusters: The Video Game”, said Mark Caplan, Vice President of Licensing-Hardlines for Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc. “As one of our studios’ most valued film franchises, we wanted to develop a video game that would be exciting for both new and old fans and with Atari we have a publisher that fully understands Ghostbusters, and is committed to producing engaging entertainment that fans will thoroughly enjoy.”

Ghostbusters: The Video Game was penned by original Ghostbusters writers Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and reunites members of the original cast for the first time in 20 years. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson lend their voices and in-game likenesses to the original story set two years after Ghostbusters II, with Manhattan once again overrun by ghosts and supernatural forces. The game also features performances from fan favourites such as William Atherton (Walter Peck), Annie Potts (Janine Melnitz) and Brian Doyle-Murray (portraying Mayor Jock Mulligan).

Atari will release the Ghostbusters: The Video Game for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 system, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows® PC, Wii and Nintendo DS™. The launch will also leverage Atari’s worldwide distribution network to maximize the presence of Ghostbusters: The Video Game around the globe as Sony marks the film’s upcoming 25th anniversary. For more information on Atari’s entire line up visit www.atari.com.

2009 also marks the 25th Anniversary of the original theatrical release of Ghostbusters. Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II combined to gross over $500 million world-wide at the box office. The film spawned some of the most memorable comedic catch-phrases and scenes in motion picture history. To recognize this special milestone, Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc has licensed the property for several new products to commemorate the anniversary, including: video games, toys, t-shirts, comic books, prop replicas, and a theme park attraction.  In addition, the original Ghostbusters car (Ecto-1) has been fully restored with plans for special promotional appearances throughout the US.  And for the first time ever, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will release Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II on Blu-rayTM disc.

Atari enters the eye of the ninja storm with the news that NAMCO BANDAI Games’ Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is available now at retailers across Europe exclusively for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. Based on the popular Naruto animated television series currently on air across Europe, the game delivers massive scale ninja action with full 3D combat, free exploration and high definition visuals that go beyond traditional hand-drawn animation. Offering players more Naruto than ever before, additional free downloadable content is available from launch and over the coming months to keep the storm raging.

A total of ten free packs of downloadable content will be available to European fans via PLAYSTATION® Network from launch to April 2009. Each pack contains a new support character plus a brand new single player mission giving players more ways to fight and explore the universe of Naruto. The full schedule is as follows:
November 6, 2008: Character: Shizune; Mission: Aim for Higher Goals
December 4, 2008: Character: Asuma; Mission: Intense hide-and-seek battle
December 18, 2008: Character: Kurenai; Mission: Inuzuka clan’s challenge
January 8, 2009: Character: Anko; Mission: Grand order to capture Jiraiya
January 22, 2009: Character: Jirobo; Mission: The three siblings’ evaluation
February 5, 2009: Character: Kidoumaru; Mission: The Hidden Sand challenges again
February 19 2009: Character: Tayuya; Mission: A new squad is formed
March 5, 2009: Character: Sakon; Mission: Desperate successive battles
April 2, 2009: Character: The first Hokage; Mission: Overflowing dangerous power
April 2, 2009: Character: The second Hokage: Mission: Surpass your predecessors

Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm evolves the head-to-head fighting action of the Ultimate Ninja series with battles set in full 3D across massive environments. Players can unleash powerful jutsu attacks, perform acrobatic evasive manoeuvres and even run up walls and over water as they pursue their opponent for ninja supremacy. Players can customize their character’s fighting style and recruit up to two support characters to put their own stamp on the action. Each character in the game is capable of transforming into powerful Awakening forms under certain gameplay conditions, offering new traits and abilities to the game’s impressive ninja roster of 25 popular characters from the animated series. Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm supports head-to-head multiplayer fighting for up to two players.

Allowing players to further immerse themselves in the world of Naruto, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm introduces all-new free-roaming exploration across the Hidden Leaf Village. Players can search every inch of these iconic environments to take on more than 100 unique missions, collect valuable scrolls and interact with additional characters from the Naruto animated series. Injecting additional variety to the game’s head-to head combat, these missions include races, special deliveries and large-scale battles against massive opponents.

Taking advantage of an original next-generation graphics engine, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm boasts fluid animation, incredible visual detail and an advanced facial expression system to create high-definition graphics on the PLAYSTATION 3 that surpass traditional hand-drawn animation. Replicating the same environments, characters and effects as the hit animated series, this new technology allows gamers to become a part of the world of Naruto like never before.