• Bones. Founded in 1998, Bones has become one of the top animation studios in Japan in less than a decade. The studio is best known for its incredible body of work on mega-hit franchises such as “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie,” “Fullmetal Alchemist,” “Sword of the Stranger” and “Eureka Seven.”
• Casio Entertainment. Casio Entertainment was founded in 2004 and is renowned for its visual effects work on the movie “Dai Nipponjin” (“Big Man of Japan”), which was officially invited to the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2008 Asian Film Awards. Casio Entertainment is also known for its computer-generated animation support work on several top Japanese video games.
• Production I.G. Production I.G has produced a number of acclaimed feature films, original video animation, TV shows and video games. For their storytelling and quality of animation, “Ghost in the Shell,” “Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade” and “Blood: The Last Vampire” have earned critical accolades in Japan and all around the world. “Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence,” directed by Mamoru Oshii in 2004, was the first Japanese animation feature ever to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Festival de Cannes. 
• STUDIO4C. STUDIO4 is one of the top animation studios in Japan. Founded by the industry veteran Eiko Tanaka and acclaimed animation artist Koji Morimoto, it has become globally known for its uncanny ability to marry the spirit of high art with mainstream anime aesthetic. STUDIO4C is known for works including “The Animatrix,” “Tekkonkinkreet” and “Batman: Gotham Knight.” 
• Toei Animation. Toei Animation, established in 1956, is the oldest animation studio in Japan. Toei has produced the largest number of global hit TV anime series for kids, such as “Dragon Ball,” “Digimon,” “Sailor Moon,” “One Piece” and many more.

 Gamestah Weekly - Episode 5. Sunday 28 June 2009. 8pm

This weeks show features:
Across the Ditch with Arsy - Looking at WCG NZ, Xlan, Cybergamer wrapup.
Clip of the Week - Call of Duty 4 (you asked for it, you get, more cod)
Industry Interview - TMdude and Dee. Owners of Xlan and organisers for WCG NZ. We sit down for a chat with the two most influential people in NZ gaming.
From the Vault: Time for another oldschool gaming movie.

Click here for the live feed

However things haven’t gone well, since receiving the payment he provided excuses in the delay in sending the switch and is now not responding to emails. We have logged a complaint with eBay and they are still processing it(two weeks!) and have also contacted the local police and they are waiting for the eBay complaint to be processed before taking further action.

I am hoping lots of emails from New Zealand gamers (who he is ripping off) and even a visit if you know someone in his area might help get this resolved.

His details are as follows are all confirmed to be correct:

Name: Fadi Taiba
Email address: lt_tech@optusnet.com.au
Ebay Username: lt_technical
Ebay Auction Number: 250380006908
Physical Address: 29 Rossiter Avenue, Roxburgh Park VIC 3064
Cellphone Number: 0410 357643

Please post in this forum when you have emailed to let us know

If you are not marked as paid and you paid before Friday please look in the administration forum for payments that have been made with no references or read this FAQ.

• Lock Teams : Yes
• Teams Together : No
• Full shared unit control : No
• Random races : No
• Random hero : No
• Observers : Full Observers
• Visibility : Default

• Disconnection: Any disconnection of the connection between match players due to System, Network, PC, and/or Power problems/issues
• Intentional Disconnection: Upon judgment by the tournament administrator, any offending player will be charged with a loss by forfeit

• a) Use of any map hack program;
• b) Intentional disconnection;
• c) Use of any settings exceeding standard and permitted settings;
• d) Any unnecessary chatting during the match;
• e) If tournament administrator decides that external conditions (Press, Team Leader, Player, Spectator, etc) give unfair advantage to a player, the player may be given a warning or lose by default at the tournament administrator’s sole discretion;  upon discovery of any player committing any violations regarded as unfair play, that player will be disqualified from the tournament.  

• The player must notify the tournament administrator of the characters that he/she will use before the match starts.
• The player may not change character after the match is started.
• All costumes can be used.
• Any items that may cause issues with game play must be removed at the tournament administrator’s request.

Players must change costumes upon tournament administrator’s request.

• Personal equipments such as arcade stick are allowed.
• Button settings for everything other than Punch, Kick, and Guard must be set to "no use". (LAN)

• Disconnection: Any disconnection of the connection between match players due to
• System, Network, XBOX 360 console, and/or Power problems/issues
• Intentional Disconnection: Upon judgment by the tournament administrator, any offending player will be charged with a loss by forfeit
• Unintentional Disconnection: If unintentional disconnection occurs, the match can be restarted by the tournament administrator’s judgment.

In Case of Problems

• If XBOX Guide button is pressed during the game, the player who pressed the button loses that round by default. (The player who pressed the XBOX Guide button must lose one round to his/her opponent.)
• If any intentional hardware reset and problem occurs, the tournament administrator may decide to end the match with the offending player losing by forfeit.
• If any other problem occurs: Rematch if the two players conclude an agreement to have a rematch.

• 2 Soldiers
• 2 Snipers
• 2 Scouts
• 2 Pyros
• 1 Medic
• 1 Heavy
• 1 Spy
• 1 Demoman
• 1 Engineer

• cp_badlands
• cp_granary
• cp_well
• cp_fastlane 

• cp_gravelpit

• Only medic unlocks are allowed
• Criticals are disabled
• Random damage spread is disabled

• If any intentional hardware reset and problem occurs, the referee may decide to end the match with the offending player losing by forfeit. 
• If any other problem occurs: Rematch if the two players conclude an agreement to have a rematch.

• No Mercy - l4d_vs_hospital03_sewers
• Blood Harvest - l4d_vs_farm03_bridge
• Dead Air - l4d_vs_airport03_garage
• Death Toll - l4d_vs_smalltown03_ranchhouse

• Exploit Notes:
  No Exploiting is allowed. Definition of an Exploit - to use or manipulate to one's advantage.

Survivors:

• Legal:
  Closeting - getting into any closets or rooms, as long as the infected can physically get in there.
  
• Illegal:
  Use of Pistol quick fire scripts or burst fire scripts (including scrolling).
  Going into the starting safe room when a tank is spawned.
  Camping behind bed NM3 elevator.
  In Dead Air 5 having members near the boundary that the plane later travels through.
  †

Infected:

• Legal:
  Using building edges and trees.
  Using the smoker to drag survivors off edges, cliffs etc.
  Using the hunter pounce knockback or boomer explosion knockback to push survivors off edges.
  Using hunter to jump from wall to wall to acquire greater pounce damage.
  Crouch walking to get to higher places as hunter.
  
• Illegal:
  Skywalking, getting on any invisible edges/terrain/objects.
  Punching through walls when tank.
  Throwing rocks through walls when tank.
  Blocking doors, windows, paths or any area with any objects, such as garbage bins, logs, ladders, forklifts, cars, etc., which prevents the progress of the survivors while playing as tank

• The config attempts to disable all non-saferoom medpacks, and turn them into pills instead.
• The team swap order is ABABA, instead of highest score goes survivor first.
• Tanks guaranteed 100% to spawn on every level 1-5.
• Witches spawn 0% on 1,5 and 75% (default) on 2,3,4.
• Tanks will not suicide if they go to AI and it cannot find a path to the survivors.
• Tanks will spawn as late as 90% level completion (default behaviour), this means you might get them much later now.

• Amplified Slayer
• Assembly Slayer
• Blackout Slayer
• Chill Out Slayer
• Construct Slayer
• Guardian Slayer
• Narrows Slayer
• The Pit Slayer

• 1. Primary Weapon = Battle Rifle
• 2. Custom Powerup Traits, Duration = 3 Seconds
• 3. Custom Powerup Traits, Damage Resistance = Invulnerable
• 4. Custom Powerup Traits, Shield Multiplier = 3X Overshields
• 5. Custom Powerup Traits, Player Speed = Unchanged
• 6. Shield Recharge Rate = 90%
• 7. Damage Modifier = 110%
• 8. Player Speed = 110%
• 9. Motion Tracker Mode = Off
• 10. Suicide Penalty = None
• 11. Betrayal Penalty = None
• 12. Team Changing = Not Allowed
• 13. Respawn time = 5 seconds
• 14. Time Limit = 10 minutes

• Vehicle Set = No Vehicles
• Score to win = 50

• Game Type : Pro Face-Off
• Difficulty: Expert
• Hyperspeed Mode: On, 1 (Setting can be changed only if both players agree)
• Slider bar: Off (Slider bar can be turned on if and only if both players agree to this change)

• 1 . Jimi Hendrix - Purple Haze
• 2 . Van Halen – Hot For Teacher
• 3 . Bullet For My Valentine - Scream, Aim, Fire
• 4 . Metallica - Trapped Under Ice
• 5 . Motorhead - Overkill
• 6 . System of a Down - BYOB
• 7 . Dream Theatre - Pull Me Under
• 8 . The Living End - Prisoner of Society
• 9 . Ozzy Osbourne - Mr Crowley
• 10. Sting - Demolition Man Final Song: Joe Satriani - Satch Boogie

• The Official Guitar Hero controller must be used.
• Any controller supporting macros or auto repeat is NOT allowed

• Disconnection: Any disconnection of the connection between match players due to System, Network, XBOX 360 console, and/or Power problems/issues
• Intentional Disconnection: Upon judgment by the tournament administrator, any offending player will be charged with a loss by forfeit
• Unintentional Disconnection: If unintentional disconnection occurs, the match can be restarted by the tournament administrator’s judgment.
  

• Execution - Blood Drive
• Execution - Jacinto
• Execution - Pavilion
• Execution - River
• Execution - Ruins
• Execution - Security
• Execution - Stasis

• 1. Players can choose whichever starting weapon they want
• 2. Game Type = Execution
• 3. Total Rounds = 3 (Open Bracket), 4 (Championship Bracket)
• 4. Round Time Limit = 5
• 5. Bleed-Out Time = 15
• 6. Friendly Fire = On
• 7. Weapon Spawning = Customize

• 1. Replace Boltok Pistol with Disabled
• 2. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade
• 3. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Torque Bow

• 1. Replace Mortar with Disabled
• 2. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade

• 1. Replace Mulcher with Torque Bow
• 2. Replace Mortar with Disabled
• 3. Replace Boomshield with Ink Grenade
• 4. Replace Frag Grenade with Ink Grenade

• 1. Replace Mortar with Torque Bow

• 1. Replace Torque Bow with Longshot
• 2. Replace Boomshield with Ink Grenade
• 3. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Torque Bow
• 4. Replace Gorgon Pistol with Disabled

• 1. Replace Mulcher with Boltok Pistol
• 2. Replace Scorcher Flamethrower with Ink Grenade
• 3. Replace Boltok Pistol with Torque Bow
• 4. Replace Frag Grenade with Disabled

• 1. Replace Longshot with Boomshot
• 2. Replace Mulcher with Longshot
• 3. Replace Gorgon Pistol with Boltok Pistol

• The tournament will be played as a series of 5 circuit races per pool.
• There will be two initial pools, with the top 4 racers from each selected to proceed to the Top 8.
• Exiting the lobby for any reason other than a server failure counts as a forfeit for the whole tournament.
• You may use either a licensed Xbox 360 controller or racing wheel.
• It is recommended for new racers to use the controller as it is easier (but less precise).
• This is not a team tournament
• Paint jobs on cars must not be of an offensive or abusive nature
• Rest time between tracks is limited to two(2) minutes, this includes selecting your next car and loading tuning set-ups and starts from when all players have returned to the lobby
• The judgement by the tournament administrator over any arguments between racers over the rules is final

• Cars are restricted to the class listed next to each of the above tracks for that race.
• "Tuned Cars" means that you can enter cars from your garage that has been upgraded and/or tuned.
• However, once the tournament starts you MAY NOT add any upgrades to ANY of your cars.
• You may however load a tuning setup directly after picking a car

• Damage: Simulation
• Tyres and Fuel: Simulation
• Collisions: Off
• Grid Order: Lobby Points
• End Race Timer: 2 Minutes
• Suggested Line: Off

• Score will be based on final race position
• The racer in 1st will receive score equal to one less than the number of racers (ie. if there are 8 racers, 1st will receive 7 points)
• Following racers will receive points equal to one less than the person above them
• The racer in last place will receive 0 points
• The overall winner of the pool will be the racer with the most points after the final race

• a) Flashbangs: 2 
• b) Grenades: 1
• c) Smoke Grenades: 1  

• a) noforcemparms
• b) noforcemaccel
• c) noforcemspd
• d) freq ***  

• a) Brightness – 52%
• b) Digital Vibrance – 30%
• c) Contrast – 50%
• d) Image Sharpening – None
• e) Gamma – 70%  

• mp_autokick 0 mp_autocrosshair 0
• mp_autoteambalance 0 mp_buytime 0.25
• mp_consistency 1 mp_c4timer 35
• mp_fadetoblack 1 mp_flashlight 1
• mp_forcechasecam 2 mp_forcecamera 2
• mp_footsteps 1 mp_freezetime 15
• mp_friendlyfire 1 mp_hostagepenalty 0
• mp_limitteams 10 mp_logecho 1
• mp_logdetail 3 mp_logfile 1
• mp_logmessages 1 mp_maxrounds 0
• mp_playerid 1 mp_roundtime 1.75
• mp_timelimit 0 mp_tkpunish 0
• sv_aim 0 sv_airaccelerate 10
• sv_airmove 1 sv_allowdownload 0
• sv_allowupload 0 sv_alltalk 0
• sv_cheats 0 sv_clienttrace 1
• sv_clipmode 0 sv_friction 4
• sv_gravity 800 sv_lan_rate 25000
• sv_maxrate 25000 sv_maxspeed 320
• sv_maxunlag 0.5 sv_maxupdaterate 101
• sv_minupdaterate 101 sv_minrate 25000
• sv_proxies 1 sv_send_logos 1
• sv_send_resources 1 sv_stepsize 18
• sv_stopspeed 75 sv_unlag 1
• sv_voiceenable 1 sv_unlagsamples 1
• sv_unlagpush 0 sys_ticrate 10000
• allow_spectators 1 decalfrequency 60
• edgefriction 2 host_framerate 0
• log on pausable 0

• cl_updaterate 101 cl_cmdrate 101
• rate 25000 m_filter 1/0
• hud_fastswitch 1/0 zoom_sensitivity_ratio
• fps_max 101 cl_dynamiccrosshair 1/0
• gamma 1/3 brightness 1/3
• cl_minmodels 1/0 cl_shadows 1/0

• cl_weather mp_corpse_stay
• mp_decals max_shells
• max_smokepuffs fastsprites
• ex_interp 0.01 for LAN (0.1 for Online)  

• In case of use of any unfair practices listed below, the offending team will be a given a warning at the minimum or loss by default at the referee’s sole discretion.  
• Team members may communicate verbally if they are alive in the match or when all team members are dead.
• The player is deemed dead when the screen is completely faded to black. If a bug occurs and the screen doesn’t fade to black, the player is deemed dead three seconds after he/she has fallen.
• Any player who has died cannot communicate by ANY means (No gesture or verbal communication will be allowed) with any other team member or opponent until the beginning of the next round.
• If a player continues to communicate after he/she is killed, the team may be given a warning or lose by default at the referee’s sole discretion.
• Boosting (stepping on top of own team player) is allowed in play.
• Binding Duck to scroll wheel is not allowed.
• C4 must be installed at a viewable location. Installing C4 at a location where a boost is required is allowed.
• Silent C4 installation is considered bug play. Such an offense may result in a warning or loss of all remaining TR rounds at the sole discretion of the board of referees.
• Throwing grenades over buildings in all maps are allowed.
• Any use of the flash bang bug will result in a -3 round score for the offending team. If the use of the bug is decided as unintentional, the game continues as normal. If the use of the bug is decided as intentional, the offending team will be a given a warning at the minimum or loss by default.
• Use of personal model/skins (includes weapon skins)
• Use of personal map texture
• All cheat programs
• Use of map bugs in play (e.g. map swimming, auto aim, etc.)
• The use of ‘SKY Box’ will result in a loss by default for the offending team.
• The restricted areas for each map will be notified at a later date.
• Use of unfair but available scripts (e.g. silentrun, attack+use, centerview script, norecoil script, etc.)
• The server master can and will check for the use of any unfair practice or script, even those not listed above, during each match.
• If referee decides that external conditions (Press, Team Leader, Player, Spectator, etc) give unfair advantage to a player, the team may be given a warning or lose by default at the referee’s sole discretion.
• If a problem occurs with flash bang bug, the referee reviews the demo file and the offending team loses the round. The match continues normally.
• HLTV Proxy will join the game servers for Tournament Broadcast
• To test for HLTV flash bugs, players must follow the directions of the server master and/or the referees.

• If all the players cannot play due to an unintended, unforeseen accident such as server stoppage,
• Before the 3rd round starts: restart the match
• After the 3rd round starts: Disconnected player must re-connect to the server. The round is continued unpausing, and if the disconnected player cannot connect to the server, all players must wait during the freeze time after the round until the disconnected player connects to the server. At this time, the match may continue by unpausing. (Not a restart)
• If up to 3 of all players are unintentionally disconnected: The score for that round is discarded. The game is paused after the round during the freeze time, and all players wait until the disconnected players are connected to the server. When all players are connected, the match may continue by unpausing the game.
• In the case of intentional disconnection, the referee may decide to end the match with the offending team losing by forfeit.
• Protests can only be filed by the team leader (e.g. a player that represents the team)
• If a player does not agree to any rules, he/she can express his/her protest to a referee before the completion of a match. Any intentional refusal to connect to the match server can result in a default loss for that team with the decision to be made at the sole discretion of the referee.
• If a rematch is decided by the tournament administrator, the team that does not follow this decision will be subject to disqualification.

• Backlot (mp_backlot)
• Crash (mp_crash)
• Crossfire (mp_crossfire)
• District (mp_citystreets)
• Overgrown (mp_overgrown)
• Pipeline (mp_pipeline)
• Strike (mp_strike)
• Vacant (mp_vacant) 

• Bombtimer: 45 seconds
• Plant Time: 5 seconds
• Defuse Time: 7.5 seconds
• Round Limit: 24
• Round Switch: 12
• Score Limit: 0
• Round Time Limit: 2 mins
• Strat Time: 6 seconds
• Old Style Bombsounds: Yes
• Show Bomb Timer: Yes
• Briefcase Removal During plant/defuse: Yes

• Round Limit: 6
• Round Switch: 3
• Score Limit: 4 

• M16A4, AK-47, M4 Carbine, G3, G36C, M14, MP44

• W1200, M1014

• None

• M40A3, R700

• MP5, Mini-uzi, AK-74u

• All

• You must be able to travel out of New Zealand the first week of July.
• Return flights from Auckland, Accommodation and transportation to venue are included  and all other costs are your responsibly.
• You must be a New Zealand Citizen with a valid New Zealand Passport or be able to obtain a valid passport at the completion of the tournament.
• You must be at least 16 years old.
• You will be part of the eblacks with your photo/bio published on the eblacks website and be available for marketing opportunities as defined in eblacks contract.
• An individual contract with the winning player must be signed to be able to travel with the eblacks team.
  

Rhythm based music game snaps together best-selling franchises to create fun family-friendly experience for all ages.

Sydney, Australia - April 21, 2009 - Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games are joining forces with the LEGO Group, Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), to merge two of the most popular videogame franchises with the creation of LEGO® Rock Band®. The unique family-friendly music experience is currently in development by TT Games in partnership with Harmonix, and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game, which will allow families, tweens and teens to experience a wild journey to rock stardom where they can “Build a Band and Rock the Universe,” will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and other next-gen systems.  All versions are scheduled for release in Summer 2009.

LEGO Rock Band combines the multiplayer music experience of Rock Band® with the fun, customization and humour of the LEGO videogame franchisepacked with brilliant chart-topping songs and classic favourites suitable for younger audiences, including:

Players will become rockers as they embark on a journey to stardom that the whole family can enjoy as they work their way through local venues, stadiums and fantasy locations on Earth and beyond that mimic the imaginative settings that the LEGO world offers. Also continuing the LEGO “build-and-play” gaming experience, players will be able to create their own LEGO Rock Band style as they customize their minifigure avatars, band and entourage, including roadies, managers and crew. LEGO Rock Band supports Rock Band instruments, as well as other music game controllers.

“LEGO Rock Band combines two compelling properties and creates an experience that family members of all ages will enjoy playing together as a group,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games.  “Harmonix and MTV Games are the world experts in music gameplay, and we’re genuinely thrilled to bring the unique and humour-filled LEGO experience to their Rock Band universe.” 

“We’re thrilled to offer another LEGO branded gaming experience that will deliver humourous and social play for families and friends,” said Henrik Taudorf Lorensen, Vice President, the LEGO Group. “LEGO Rock Band is built around the same values of imagination and family-friendly creative role play that is present in other LEGO videogames. It will deliver innovative new elements of game play that complement the fun of the Rock Band experience.”

“Rock Band is a social game experience that crosses every generation and every genre of rock,” said Bob Picunko, Senior Vice President of Electronic Games for MTV Games. “Harmonix and MTV Games are big fans of the LEGO game franchise and excited to work with TT Games to develop a new take on Rock Band that focuses on great music and LEGO humour that’s fun for the whole family.”

Blizzard have just released the second installment of our StarCraft II Battle Reports, a series of videos created for the official website in order to give you a closer look at the fast-paced, intense, and exciting-to-watch multiplayer matches of StarCraft II. In this latest battle report, you'll see two of Blizzard Entertainment's best players go head-to-head as the zerg and terrans while our commentators, StarCraft II lead designer Dustin Browder and eSports team member Robert Simpson, dissect and analyze the on-screen action for you.

* Source: http://www.gamesindustry.biz

The early bird discount has now closed and we are extremely happy that over 300 people took this new option. Those of you who are still procrastinating now have to pay $95 per ticket and remember payments close on the 10 June or earlier if we sell out(like the past 4 years).

Although two years older than last year's Call of Duty: World at War, developed by Treyarch, the original Modern Warfare is largely considered the better game and is still being played almost as much as World at War on Xbox Live. Publisher Activision maintains that it will continue to alternate development duties between Infinity and Treyarch. The first Call of Duty debuted in 2003.

The game is just recently out in Open Beta, utilizing the same “login to play” system alongside ID Software (Quake Live) and EA (Battlefield Heroes). It’s currently free to play after making an account and grabbing a 400mb file from download. From the brief moment of play I’ve had, the presentation is nothing short of stunning. Birds fly in random patterns, deer sniff the air and scratch themselves. The graphics are phenomenal for such a small install, so it’s definitely worth a look.

So load your bolt action, grab the camo and head over to the website.

This competition is now closed, thank you everyone for your submissions we will announce the winners on Friday 27th at 8pm

To view entries that have been submitted please click here

Since the game's release throughout Asia on February 26 and subsequent launches in Europe and the Americas, fans around the world have been taking full advantage of the gameplay. To date:

But these initial explosive battles in Halo Wars are just beginning. Microsoft is working closely with partner and newly formed studio Robot Entertainment, which is comprised of Halo Wars and Age of Empires veterans from Ensemble Studios. More Halo Wars content is being prepared, so stay tuned.

Rock Band may be winning the war when it comes to downloadable content for rhythm games, but it looks like Guitar Hero may have just the song to turn the tide. It looks like the classic theme song "The Touch" from the 1986 animated Transformers film will be getting turned into a GH track, and best of all, it will be free.

"I've been holding off announcing this, but "The Touch" is going to be in Guitar Hero," Stan Bush, who performed the song, told Transformers fan site Seibertron.com (via ShackNews). "Activision will be releasing it as a free download. I'll contact Activision this week to find out the release date and let you know."

While Bush was shunned from the recent live action version of Transformers, he also revealed that "The Touch" could potentially end up in the upcoming sequel. "We're just finishing up a totally new, killer version of 'The Touch' which we'll be submitting for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen," he said.

Today we have the Call of Duty 4 Final on the Main stage and also SILA get in a few words. 

Remember to post your best wishes for her in this thread.

The best-selling World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King managed to smash sales records from the start, moving almost 3 million copies within the first 24 hours it was on the market. However, the game still hasn't come out in China— the government has yet to approve it due to the "objectionable content" the game contains.

According to JLM Pacific Epoch, the Chinese government has refused two applications to put the game on the market. Each of these applications was filed by The9, a Chinese company that handles licensing and distributing of many big-name MMOs like World of Warcraft, Guild Wars and FIFA Online. The Escapist, meanwhile, cites an insider who explained that Wrath of the Lich King has been refused approval specifically because it features skeletons and because of a certain "city raid." It turns out that the submitted version of the game also doesn't have the first hero class for Death Knight characters.

This isn't the first time that WoW has had problems getting released in China due to the appearance of skeletons in the game. Exactly why China has a problem with skeletons appearing the game has yet to be revealed, though Reuters claimed (in 2007) that this might be due to China's recent efforts to remove "negative online influences."

Following the previous column, ''Brief History of WCG Official Game Titles-part I'', today we would like to start from 2006 up to present. From 2006 to 2008, it was another phase of evolution for WCG official game titles.


In 2006, WCG was held in Autodromo Nazionale Monza motor racing circuit, located in Italy. To celebrate the first Grand Final in a racing circuit, WCG committee brought back Project Gotham Racing 3 (Xbox 360). With the release of Xbox 360, the console platform was upgraded to bring gamers the latest and greatest in gaming technology. Counter-Strike returned back to 1.6 due to popular demand in the eSports community, and Warhammer was upgraded to its latest version yet again.

Two racing game titles in Monza motor racing circuit (WCG 2006 venue):

PGR 3 (Left) and NFS: Most Wanted (Right)

In WCG 2007, we saw a 50% increase in the number of titles from 8 to 12. The line-up was expanded to cover more genre that more gamers can enjoy. In 2007, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (PC) was excluded from the list, and the following five titles were added: Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (PC), Age of Empires III: The War Chiefs (PC), Billiard Game Carom 3D (PC),  Gears of War (Xbox 360), and Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Xbox 360). RTS fans were treated with a whopping four titles. Adding to StarCraft and Warcraft, the very popular C&C, and the return of AOE was very much welcomed. Carom 3D marks history as the first billiard game to be selected as an official title in any eSports tournament. Also, a new genre of third person shooter (TPS) made an entry in WCG with Gear of War.

Representative TPS (Third Person shooting) Gears of War: WCG 2007 official title

Unreal Tournament 3 is getting a hefty dose of updates today, including the previously revealed Titan Pack expansion. In addition to the expansion, Epic is also releasing a patch, bringing UT3 up to version 2.0, which will fix a host of issues with the game.

Some of the changes gamers can expect with the new patch include an overhauled user interface, client-side demo recording support, more advanced video options, Steam integration, among others. As for the Titan Pack expansion, it will introduce a bunch of new content into the shooter, all for the low, low price of free. Hit the jump for a complete list of the new additions to the game.

The patch and expansion are available now on the PC and can be downloaded here. As for the PlayStation 3 version of the game, which will be getting the new content, we don't yet know when it will see the updates. However, it's possible that it will be ready to download later today. The Xbox 360 version unfortunately won't be receiving either update.

Just an update on the Battlefield 2 tournament I have been in discussions with some of the community and we have changed the team size to 6 instead of the 8 as this a lines ourselves with international team competition sizes. This change will also allow Battlefield 2 to have stage matches throughout the weekend.

You can sign up as many teams as you wish, and remember there are no subs for any of our tournaments.

The banner comp has been open for a week and a half and we have had some awesome entries, there are still a couple of weeks to get them in.

Great prizes up for grabs, including a ticket to the event, WCG merchandise, XLAN merchandise and much much more, there are prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd, so start making your version of what the xLAN website banner should look like.

Please refer to this thread for more details and to see the ones that have already been submitted.

Quake III: Various team play and attack formation is possible- WCG 2001, 2002 official title

The most notable change of WCG 2003 was that it was the first year that a console game was included. Halo, the Xbox game that sold more than 5 million copies worldwide, became the first official console game title of WCG.

 The first official console game title of WCG: Halo (2003~2008)

In 2004, once again three titles received facelifts: HALF-LIFE™: Counter-Strike to Condition Zero, FIFA 2003 to FIFA 2004, Warcraft III to its expansion Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. The most noticeable addition in WCG 2004 was the addition of racing genre. On the PC side Need for Speed: Underground and on the console side Project Gotham Racing II was added to keep the racing fans happy. To keep the number of titles down, unfortunately Age of Empires II had to be removed from the line-up, but Age of Empires fans do not have to worry as the game made a come-back with Age of Empires III in 2007. Pangya, an online golf game from Korea, was on display as exhibition title.

In 2005, Unreal™ Tournament (PC) was removed and a new popular RTS in the form of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (PC) was added. Another change was that Project Gotham Racing II was removed and Dead or Alive Ultimate, a fighting game, was added to create more variety in the genre selection. Counter-Strike and FIFA were both updated to the latest versions: Counter-Strike: Source and FIFA Soccer 2005.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (PC): WCG 2005 Official Game Title

Xbox killer title Dead or Alive Ultimate became official WCG title in 2005

Is it interesting? Stay tuned, and part II will be available next week.

Available worldwide on March 13th, the song pack will include three of Coldplay’s most famous pieces, including “The Scientist,” “Speed of Sound,” and “In My Place.” So, when Chris Martin has finished belting out the bands smash hits on stage at the Vector Arena, you can have your own Coldplay moment in your living room.

Also available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and the “Lips” in-game Music Store until March 7 are nine fresh tracks from groups like The Fray, Angels and Airwaves, and 311.

Available Now!
Speed Up – Funkerman
How To Save A Life – The Fray
Swing Life Away – Rise Against
 
 Available on 28/2
The Adventure – Angels and Airwaves
Amber – 311
In The Shadows – The Rasmus

Available on 7/3
Hook Me Up – The Veronicas
Lips of an Angel – Hinder
Shake It – Metro Station

Available on 13/3
The Scientist – Coldplay
Speed of Sound – Coldplay
In My Place – Coldplay

“Lips,” the new singing party game from Xbox 360 and iNiS, includes 40 songs on-disc and two wireless, motion-sensitive microphones.  “Lips” is currently available at retailers for RRP $99.95.

 You can now signup for the event and tournaments, more details of the event will be announced over the following weeks.  We will be announcing more tournaments in March when we have the confirmed list of WCG titles.

"There's also a new world record to wonder at, though you are allowed to wonder about the sense of setting the record itself if you prefer. Danny Johnson, a 14-year-old from Grapevine, Texas, set a Guitar Hero record Wednesday morning for his 973,954 score -- a 99% completion rate on Expert Level -- for shredding along to "Through the Fire and Flames" by DragonForce." (Source from betanews)

The news of a 14 year old boy putting his name on Guinness record surely got WCG's attention. It was especially because he was not a familiar face. Most of well known players can be found in WCG Grand Final, and his name was not recognizable at first glance. Maybe he's too young for now. Yet, We couldn't stop thinking...

Before Rejoining the ‘B’ Company, Players Go Back to WWII in Battlefield 1943

Auckland – February 9, 2009 – DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. studio (NASDAQ: ERTS), today announced Battlefield: Bad Company 2™, the sequel to last year’s blockbuster title. In this instalment, the Bad Company crew again find themselves in the heart of the action, where they must use every weapon and vehicle at their disposal to survive. The action unfolds with unprecedented intensity, introducing a level of fervor to vehicular warfare never before experienced in a modern warfare action game. To get ready for the assault, players can prepare for action in Battlefield 1943™, an all-new multiplayer game available via PlayStation®Store, Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace and on the PC.

In Battlefield: Bad Company 2, the ‘B’ company fight their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages. With a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons and a slew of vehicles to aid them, the crew set off on their mission and they are ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy anything that gets in their way. Total destruction is the name of the game, delivered as only the DICE next generation Frostbite™ engine can. Either online or offline, enemies will soon learn there is nowhere to hide. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 will be available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and the PC.

Using the same Frostbite™ engine, Battlefield 1943 takes players back to WWII. The game offers endless hours of 24 player multiplayer action over three classic and tropic locations; Wake Island, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Delivering the award-winning through-the-gun and vehicle warfare online experience DICE is best recognized for, Battlefield 1943 will have players battling in ruthless aerial dog fights and intense trench combat.

“Bad Company 2 takes everything that players liked in the original and ups the ante – more vehicles, more destruction and more team play,” said Karl Magnus Troedsson, Executive Producer Battlefield Franchise, DICE. “Battlefield 1943 is a new take on a blast from the past classic coming to life with brand new technology that we’re eager to get into players hands.”

    Remaining Titles To Be Announced This March

NEW YORK, NY, February 5, 2009 -- World Cyber Games (WCG / www.wcg.com), the premier international video game competition, has announced the first five Official Game Titles for the WCG 2009 season. The lineup includes Counter-Strike™ 1.6 (PC), Starcraft®: Brood War™ (PC), WarCraft® III: The Frozen Throne™ (PC), and Guitar Hero®: World Tour (Xbox 360), and Virtua Fighter® 5 (Xbox 360).

All five games have been a staple at past WCG competitions. Counter-Strike 1.6™ and Starcraft®: Brood War™ have been Official Tournament Games since 2001 while WarCraft® III: The Frozen Throne™ has been part of the WCG since 2003. Guitar Hero®, which marked WCG's first foray into music games, and Virtua Fighter® 5 Online will be in their second consecutive year as Official Game Titles.

''As interest in WCG continues to grow around the world, we have become much more discerning in selecting the official games for this year,'' said Hyeong Seok Kim, president and CEO of World Cyber Games, Inc., organizer of WCG. ''This year we decided to unveil the games in two separate announcements to pique the interest and anticipation for the official game lineup. These first five titles constitute the best and most popular games in a wide variety of genres including real-time strategy, first-person shooter, fighting, and music. In March, fans can look forward to another group of elite titles that will certainly satisfy every type of gamer around the world.''

National team selection, including TEAM USA, which won the world championship in 2007 and placed second last year, will begin in March through online and offline preliminaries.

Please note the New Zealand World Cyber Games Qualifying Titles have not been decided.
 
Please click here to discuss on our forums

Mason Maddox, 18, is a gamer from Green Bay in Auckland who goes by the alias Massi4h. He has recently returned from the Pan-Asian Championships bringing home the gold for New Zealand in his chosen title, Guitar Hero III, and secured himself a place in the World Cyber Games finals being held in Cologne, Germany. I stopped Mason for a minute to chat about competing in the Pan Asia Competition and his thoughts on the competitive gaming scene in New Zealand.

Good afternoon Mason.

John: Where did your alias, Massi4h, come from?

Mason: Well when looking for a new gaming name, I was thinking of a something that sounded like my name and meant something cool. That came to messiah. I changed the e to an a so that it represented my own name "Mason." At the time, professional gamer Johnathon "fatal1ty" Wendell was a big influence to me, so I replaced a letter in my name for a number like his alias does.

John: When did you first get into video games and when did you start playing competitively?

Mason: When I was about 4 I was playing games in the arcade and playing on game boy. I only really got into competitive games at 13 and entered a few little tournaments around 16. Xlan was the biggest tournament I'd ever been to.

John: What hobbies/interests do you have outside of gaming?

Mason: I like to train kung fu. I also like watching movies, listening to music, going out with mates. Just general teenage stuff.

John: Going back to the start of July now, xLAN was just starting. Were you feeling confident going into the New Zealand Qualifiers?

Mason: Not too confident, but I had hopes of doing pretty good.

John: Less than a month later you're in Singapore competing against the best talent from the asia pacific region. What were your first impressions of the venue?

Mason: I thought the massive set-up was awesome. It was just so big and well laid out.

John: Was there a big difference in the level of competition at the Pan Asian Championship compared to the New Zealand Qualifiers?

Mason: It was a step up I'd say, but as in Singapore, in New Zealand we still have a few players of quite high standard. There weren't a large amount of very skilled players at Singapore, but the skilled players very very good.

John: "Through the Fire and the Flames" by DragonForce was your winning song and a great way to finish the tournament. At what point did you know you'd won the gold medal and how did you feel afterwards?

Mason: When it came to the end of the solo, I knew he needed about 30000 to catch up to me and that's very hard to do. So at that point I felt a bit relaxed. Afterwards I was so overwhelmed. People would ask me how I felt and I was literally speechless.

John: Back to New Zealand for a bit. Is there a big Guitar Hero scene in New Zealand?

Mason: Yes I believe there is. We also do have a nice little community with most of the xbox players in New Zealand.

John: Do you have an overall opinion on the competitive gaming scene in New Zealand?

Mason: I think it is quite good compared to the size of our country. I like how it is, but expanding it out (which I think is happening) can only make it better.

John: Do you have any advice for new players interested in playing Guitar Hero?

Mason: Just learn techniques and practice certain things that you can't do (maybe hard songs, solos, fast strumming). Instead of just playing the game lots, set out what you want to do and how you want to improve.

John: Thank you for your time Mason and best of luck for Germany.