Today DreamCatcher Games and JoWooD Entertainment officially confirm the release date of the demo version of ArcaniA – Gothic 4 for September 24^th, 2010 for Xbox 360 and PC. After thousands of gamers had the chance to play it at GamesCom 2010 in Cologne, Germany for the first time, the demo version will now be released for all fans and the rest of the gaming community.

The demo comprises the first two hours of the game and shows the beginning tutorial level on Feshyr Island featuring selected quests. Fight off demons, hone your skills and prepare for a bloody battle fueled by vengeance.  Get your first taste of ArcaniA: Gothic 4.

DreamCatcher has started discounted ArcaniA Pre-order activities! Check out some details below.

Preorder Information und discounts in detail:

JoWooD eShop

http://gothic4.gamesplanet.com/arcania-gothic-4-jowood-game.html

Gamersgate – 15% discount

www.gamersgate.com/DD-ARCANIA/arcania-gothic-4

Stardock Impulse – 15 % Discount

http://www.impulsedriven.com/arcania

Steam – ArcaniA + Gothic 3 in an excellent-priced Bundle

http://store.steampowered.com/app/39690/

ArcaniA – Gothic 4 is also available for pre-order from Amazon.com, but with no current discounts or promotions.

Award winning producer-rapper, world famous DJ and founder of one of rap’s most influential groups, The Wu-Tang Clan, RZA will ascend to the virtual stage on October 19 in Activision Publishing, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: ATVI) highly anticipated video game DJ Hero(R)2 . Joining a distinguished rank of playable characters appearing in the game, including Deadmau5, David Guetta, DJ Qbert, and Tiesto, RZA also mixed and produced two exclusive tracks featuring LL Cool J “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” Mixed With Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five “The Message” and Damian Marley “Welcome To Jamrock” Mixed With Walter Murphy “A Fifth of Beethoven.”

“I’m very excited to be involved with DJ Hero 2. As both a DJ and gamer from an early age, the game combines two of my passions,” said RZA. “I loved working with the team and am excited for the fans to hear the two brand-new mixes I put together just for this game. Bong bong!”

“RZA rounds out the crew of in-game playable characters representing the biggest and best DJs in hip hop, pop and dance from around the world,” said Dan Neil, Music Director, FreeStyleGames. “These world-renowned DJs, along with our award-winning team at FreeStyleGames, have mixed a host of the biggest hits from the hottest artists today to produce 83 masterpieces that deliver the best soundtrack in entertainment.”

The ultimate mixer of music and friends, DJ Hero 2 will deliver the definitive way for players to come together and party with a host of new multiplayer modes – including DJ Battles that pit DJ against DJ in mixes produced specifically for battle gameplay – and invite vocalists into the spotlight with integrated on-screen singing and rapping of lyrics and rhymes while bringing the party to life with jump-in/jump-out Party Play gameplay. Featuring the biggest dance, pop and hip-hop hits by the hottest artists everyone knows and loves remixed by world-class DJ’s in an all-new way, the game’s soundtrack delivers 83 unique creations only available in DJ Hero 2. Further immersing players into the music, the game offers a heightened level of creative input and allows everyone to add their own touch, directly impacting the beats they’re spinning with freestyle scratching, crossfading and sampling. The game will also feature an all-new career-based Empire Mode where players start out as an up-and-coming DJ on the road to becoming the head of a major entertainment empire, all of which is founded solely on their success as a DJ.

Dropping on October 19, DJ Hero 2 will invite a wave of new digital disc jockeys to the turntables as the game will be available as a Party Bundle which will include a copy of the game, two turntable controllers and a microphone, offering the ultimate party-in-a-box. Gamers who experienced DJ Hero(R), the #1 new videogame intellectual property of 2009, can pick up DJ Hero 2 as a Turntable Bundle featuring one turntable controller and a copy of the game or as standalone software. The game is in development by FreeStyleGames for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION(R)3 and the Wii(TM) system from Nintendo. The game is rated “T” (Teen – Mild Suggestive Themes, Lyrics) by the ESRB. For more information about DJ Hero 2, please visit www.djhero.com, www.facebook.com/djhero and www.twitter.com/djhero.

DJ Hero 2 is available for pre-order for the Xbox 360, PS3, and Nintendo Wii.

With over 7 million units sold and universal acclaim from the press and community, Total War has consistently been at the cutting edge of the strategy genre for 10 years and is today one of the most successful PC franchises of all time.
On October 19th, the critically acclaimed Empire Total War™ and its dramatic sequel Napoleon Total War™ will be available in-stores together in a special Gold Edition, covering over a century of epic wars and revolutions that shaped the world.
EMPIRE: TOTAL WAR™

• Best of IGN 2009 – Winner in the Best Strategy Game category.

• Introducing true 3D naval combat for the first time.

• Choose from 12 factions and expand your empire over the largest campaign map ever.

• Take part in the founding of the United States in the episodic “Road to Independence” campaign.

• Also includes the following DLC: Elite Units of the East, Elite Units of the West, Elite Units of America, and the Warpath Campaign.
NAPOLEON: TOTAL WAR™

• Three story-driven campaigns immerse you in the life and battles of Napoleon in Italy, Egypt and across the entire European continent.

• Experience the famous conflicts of the Napoleonic age on land and sea: Austerlitz, Trafalgar, Waterloo and many more.

• New campaign multiplayer: play online against a friend for the fate of Europe.

• Also includes the following DLC: The Peninsular Campaign, Coalition Battle Pack, and the Elite Regiment.
Empire Total War and Napoleon Total War Gold Edition will be released for the Games for Windows® in stores nationwide October 19, 2010 for $49.95 MSRP.

The Nintendo DS system, which originally launched on November 21, 2004 in America, has sold over 42.3 million units over the four different models and offers more than 1,300 retail games. The DSi and DSi XL are two of the latest models to come out sporting cameras, a music player, and even online wi-fi access to the Nintendo Shop Channel where users can download from a selection of over 200 games and applications. Brand new, the DSi and DSi XL are preloaded with Brain Age Express: Math as well as Arts & Letters, Flipnote Studio which is an animation program, Photo Clock, and a web browser.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that StarCraft(R) II: Wings of Liberty(TM) has sold over 3 million copies worldwide in the first month of its release, building on the game’s momentum as the bestselling PC game of 2010 and the fastest-selling real-time strategy game of all time.*

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty was released simultaneously in North America, Europe, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and the regions of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau on July 27. With day-one sales topping 1 million copies, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty became the bestselling PC game of 2010 within its first 24 hours of availability. The game went on to sell more than 1.5 million copies in its first 48 hours, setting the record for fastest-selling strategy game of all time, and has won numerous critical accolades, including multiple editor’s choice awards from major gaming publications.

“We appreciate all the enthusiasm that players around the world have shown for StarCraft II,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “It was important to us to deliver an overall gameplay experience that was accessible, balanced, and fun, and it’s been gratifying to see how strongly the global community has already embraced the game.”

StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is the sequel to Blizzard Entertainment’s 1998 hit StarCraft, which has been hailed by players and critics worldwide as one of the top real-time strategy games of all time. Sporting a vibrant 3D-graphics engine, StarCraft II once again centers on the clash between the protoss, terrans, and zerg, with each side deploying legions of veteran, upgraded, and new unit types. Unparalleled online play for StarCraft II is available through a new version of Battle.net(R), Blizzard Entertainment’s world-renowned gaming service. Battle.net has been redesigned from the ground up to be the premier online gaming destination for Blizzard gamers, with several enhancements and new features, such as voice communication, cloud file storage, leagues and ladders, achievements, stat-tracking, and more.

The solo campaign for StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty continues the epic saga where it left off in StarCraft: Brood War(R). The story line chronicles the exploits of marshal-turned-rebel-leader Jim Raynor and features both familiar faces and new heroes. Players are able to tailor the experience, choosing their own mission path and selecting technology and research upgrades to suit their playing style throughout the 29-mission campaign. Several challenge-mode mini-games are also included, with focused goals designed to ease players into the basics of multiplayer strategies.

For more information on StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, visit the official website at www.blizzard.com/games/sc2/.

*Based on internal company records, public data, and/or reports from key distribution partners.

SEGA of America is proud to announce that Valkyria Chronicles II is available at retailers in North America today. The game is available for the PSP (PlayStationPortable) system, and a digital version is available for download on as well.

Valkyria Chronicles II takes place two years after the conclusion of the original game and takes players back to the epic adventure set in 1930’s fictitious Europe. In the sequel, players take on the role of a group of young Gallian Military Academy cadets who find themselves plunged into a bitter civil war when the newly formed Gallian Revolutionary Army stages a coup. The CANVAS engine originally developed by SEGA Game Studios Japan for Valkyria Chronicles has been fully redesigned for this latest installment in the franchise. This engine powers over 20 new distinct and visually stunning environments where players will have over 200 different missions to explore. The BLiTZ battle system has also been redesigned to offer players the freedom to strategically move around the environment and attack enemies using real-time controls, something never before seen in the tactical role-playing game genre. And for the first time in Valkyria, ad-hoc Versus and Co-op multiplayer gameplay is also available.

Valkyria Chronicles II is available now for $39.99. For players looking to try out the game, a demo is also live on the PlayStation Network for download.

Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Tecmo / Team NINJA
Platform: Wii
Genre: Action
Rating: T
Players: 1

The Scoop: Battling both new enemies and her own past, bounty hunter Samus Aran has almost more than she can handle in her latest game, Metroid: Other M.

The Setup: Set a couple months after the events in 1994’s Super Metroid, the game begins with a quick Super Metroid 101 cinematic of Samus defeating Mother Brain. With players up to speed, the game continues with Samus receiving a distress signal. She traces the source to a vessel named “Bottle Ship”, and upon reaching and docking with it, she encounters a group of Galactic Federation soldiers under the command of Anthony Higgs—a soldier Samus knows from her military days. Among the soldiers is her old commanding officer, Adam Malkovich, who is still holding a grudge over Samus’s departure from the military. After a few levels worth of proving her worth, she’s reluctantly welcomed onto the team and helps to discover what’s really going on at “Bottle Ship” and the reason behind the distress signal.

As the game progresses, more and more of Samus’s back story is explained either by cinematic flashbacks or Samus narrating them herself. You don’t really need to be all that familiar with the Metroid series to enjoy this game, but for those who want more context to the game’s story, I recommend checking out Super Metroid on the Wii Virtual Console.

What’s Hot: Metroid: Other M is a fast-paced action game, much like the previous Metroid titles. The game requires only a Wii Remote.  For most of the time, you hold the controller sideways a la New Super Mario Bros. However, when you need to explore your environment in more detail to solve a puzzle, pointing the Wii Remote at the TV brings the game into first person mode where you can look around more easily (but Samus can’t walk or move around). You’ll need both modes in order to complete some puzzles.

A nice addition to the formula is the ability to regenerate your missile count, or even your health, when under certain conditions. To refill your missiles, you simply hold the Wii Remote vertical and press the A button. After several seconds, your missile count is filled. The same goes for health; when you have taken too much damage and your health bar is glowing red, hold the A button and your health bar will replenished. This only works for your normal health, not any extra Energy Tanks.

There are also plenty of items that you can pick up in the game. Returning from previous Metroid titles are the Energy and Missile Tanks. Energy Tanks add one hundred units of health and Missile Tanks add one extra missile to your compliment. E-Recovery Tanks allow you to restore more energy when the health bar flashes red and increases the amount of damage you can take before your health bar turns red. Energy Parts are like Heart Pieces in The Legend of Zelda: Collect four Energy Parts and you gain one Energy Tank.

What’s not: As most Metroid fans will tell you, half of the experience of Metroid is the exploration. Several areas filled with hidden routes that don’t appear on the map, dozens of items, and multiple ways to get to the same place. Unfortunately Metroid: Other M skimps a bit on the exploration. Whenever you make it to a new save station, your map will update with the full layout of the current area (including those formerly-hidden routes) and direction on where to go next. And when you clear a room full of enemies, if there is an item nearby, its location is put on your map. How to retrieve said item is still up to you, however the challenge is a watered-down version of older Metroid games.

What’s really frustrating about Metroid: Other M is the switching between first and third person mode. Samus’s missiles, as well as other lock-on devices, are only usable in this first person mode, and switching between a third and first person mode while surrounded by enemies or even a boss fight can be somewhat frustrating. Certain enemies can only be defeated by missiles, and when there are other enemies floating around on screen, it’s hard to judge the perfect time to enter the first person aiming mode due to the lack of movement as mentioned before. Thankfully the game does sport an auto-lock mechanic while in third person mode that is very responsive.

The lack of recovery items in the game is also disappointing. In previous Metroid games, defeated enemies would sometimes drop health recoveries or even missile recoveries.  Although you can replenish your missiles at any time or even your health when you’ve taken too much damage, having the option to collect even simple health recoveries can go a long way before your next big challenge.

Speaking of lack, there is no hunting for upgrades for Samus’s suit. Most of Samus’s upgrades from Super Metroid remain, but they are locked out until the Commanding Officer gives the order to use them. Case in point: in one of the first bosses of the game, the CO tells his squad to switch to Freeze Guns, however Samus is not allowed and is ordered to use missiles instead. It isn’t until roughly two hours later during the middle of a tense battle with several enemies that he authorizes your use of the Ice Beam.

Final Verdict: Overall, Metroid: Other M is beautiful. Metroid fans will enjoy the story and new character moves, such as the lock-on and takedown moves. While the frustrating aspects of the game play can be forgiven, it’s just unfortunate that half of what makes a Metroid game so exciting is missing.

Atlus U.S.A., Inc. today announced that they have reached agreement of distribution with Tomy Corp., the licensee of Nintendo platforms in US, Canada, Latin and South America from VIZ Media for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Dragon Blade Chronicles for Wii™ and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Naruto vs. Sasuke for Nintendo DS™. These two chapters in the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN franchise, based on the extremely popular anime series, are currently scheduled for release on November 16, 2010. Over the next few weeks certain retailers will offer special bundles, pre-order bonus items, and gifts-with-purchase for the games, making them perfect gifts for the holiday season.

“We’re very excited to work with Tomy Corp. and VIZ Media to present two new NARUTO SHIPPUDEN games to fans across North America,” said Tim Pivnicny, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Atlus. “We’re sure fans will have NARUTO SHIPPUDEN on their holiday wish lists as they do every year, and we’re happy to bring them not only the games but also exciting bonus offers at retailers such as Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Best Buy, EB Games Canada, GameStop, and Toys ‘R’ Us.”

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Dragon Blade Chronicles for Wii (www.atlus.com/narutodbc) and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Naruto vs. Sasuke for Nintendo DS (www.atlus.com/narutonvs) are set to release on November 16, 2010. Fans can also look forward to more NARUTO SHIPPUDEN adventures on Nintendo DS in early 2011.

For more information on NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, and to view subtitled uncut episodes (rated T+ for Older Teens), please visit the official website at http://www.Naruto.com. The TV version of NARUTO SHIPPUDEN can be viewed on Disney XD every Wednesday (rated TV-PG). Uncut episodes can be viewed on http://www.VIZAnime.com and Hulu, and dubbed downloadable episodes are also available on iTunes, PlayStation® Network, Xbox LIVE, and Amazon Video On Demand. More information on the ratings may be found at http://ratings.viz.com.

Naruto Shippuden: Dragon Blade Chronicles for the Wii and Naruto Shippuden: Naruto vs. Sasuke for the Nintendo DS are both available for pre-order.

Starting November 1, 2010, Xbox Live Gold members will see a bit of a price increase for their subscription.  Check out the new pricing grid that was posted by Major Nelson

Microsoft is also offering a way for Xbox 360 gamers to save a bit of cash – by locking in now, gamers can save $20 off of the new price, making a 1 year Gold Subscription only $39.99.

So what do you guys think of this new price increase for an Xbox Live Gold subscription? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Beginning August 30, Hudson Entertainment will ask gamers and non-gamers alike to make a difference in a young child’s life. For every person who ‘Likes’ the Lost In Shadow page (www.facebook.com/lostinshadow) Hudson will donate 10 cents to Child’s Play, a community-based charity with its roots in the gaming industry, founded by the creators of Penny-Arcade.com. For those who want to donate more; by changing their profile picture to a picture of a shadow, any shadow, Hudson will jump up the amount to a $1 donation. All ‘Likes’ and Shadow Profile Pictures will be counted on the Lost In Shadow page at the end of Shadows to Light Day, Sept 7^th, 2010.

Lost in Shadow follows a shadow of a boy as he attempts to climb around and up a mystical tower.  Along the way, players must solve mysteries, puzzles and fight off enemies that try to impede the boy’s progress.  The “Shadows to Light” event aims to help cast light in a young child’s life by contributing to the donations of toys, games, books, and monetary contributions for sick kids in children’s hospitals across North America.

“Child’s Play is excited about Shadows To Light Day and the opportunity it’s creating for children across the nation,” said Kristin Lindsay, Foundation Coordinator for Child’s Play.  “We invite the vibrant gaming community to join in, log onto Facebook, and help us make a difference!”

Participants can also “follow” Hudson on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hudsonent for updates on the event and game.  Be sure to stop by Hudson’s booth at PAX from September 3 – 5, located at booth #842 for a chance to play Lost in Shadow!

Lost in Shadow will be released in North America on Jan. 4, 2011 for Wii^TM.  For more information on Lost in Shadow, please visit www.lostinshadow.com.

For more information on Child’s Play, visit http://www.childsplaycharity.org/.

Lost in Shadow for the Nintendo Wii is currently available for pre-order.