JMW BOYZ

A brand new BMW 3-Series† car will be the ultimate champion's reward as Codemasters today revealed an incredible pan-European fastest lap challenge to mark the launch of the Race Driver: GRID playable demo for home consoles. The demo is now available to download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and is available later today from the PLAYSTATIONNetwork for the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system. For the game that's all about the race, the Race Driver: GRID playable demo delivers intense competition right from the off as gamers compete in single-player GRID World events, 12-player online races and then prove their worth in the white-knuckle Time Trial competition, which is home to the fastest lap challenge. Pitting all console players against each other, it's the Time Trial results that will see one race driver getting the keys to the BMW.

Gamers have voted with their wallets, and the results are in. The Xbox 360 version of “Grand Theft Auto IV” has sold more than 100,000 copies, or 20%, more than the PLAYSTATION 3 version in the UK since the game’s release last Tuesday, 29th April. The groundbreaking latest instalment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise from Rockstar Games offers seamless multiplayer enhanced by Xbox LIVE plus exclusive downloadable episodes coming this Autumn, making Xbox 360 the best way to experience this historic milestone in gaming. Data released by ELSPA/Chart-Track shows Xbox 360 Week One sales at 514,000 copies sold in the UK. PLAYSTATION 3 version of the game sold only 413,000 copies, clearly demonstrating that gamers prefer the Xbox 360 version. Xbox 360 console sales jumped 125% reflecting the popularity of this franchise on the platform. Initial feedback from retail in other European countries reflects this great performance across the region.

Written by Rhyze

Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 is in development at EA Canada in Vancouver under the EA SPORTS brand. EA SPORTS Fight Night is back with the most realistic "in the ring" experience to date, featuring some of the greatest boxers in history fighting in their prime. "The EA SPORTS Fight Night franchise has always been synonymous with quality and innovation that raised the bar for the sports videogame genre", said Kevin Wilkinson, Executive Producer, EA SPORTS. "EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 3 was a platform defining game as the industry transitioned to next generation consoles. EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 will change how boxing games are played and measured in the future." Featuring a re-written gameplay engine, EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 will add a variety of fighting styles and boxer differentiation to authentically emulate the greatest fighters of all time. Pressure your opponent with the brawling inside style of young Mike Tyson, bobbing and weaving to set up powerful hooks and uppercuts. Capitalize on Muhammad Ali's reach, hand speed and fleetness of foot to bewilder your opponent with lightning fast jabs and straights from the outside. For the first time in history, EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 gives you the opportunity to pit these legendary heavyweights against one another and name a true champ. No fight will be the same with an all-new physics-based animation system that recreates the full spectrum of true-to-life punch impacts, giving boxers a devastating arsenal of punches, blocks and ring movement. The new physics system allows for missed punches, glancing punches, knockout blows and for the first time ever, rough and tumble inside fighting. Fatigue, adrenaline, footwork and timing all come into play as you hammer away at your opponents. EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 4 will be available for the Xbox 360(TM) system and the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and ships to retailers in 2009. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. said today that Grand Theft Auto IV has surpassed all-time entertainment records for day one and week one sales by dollar value. Released on Tuesday, April 29th, Grand Theft Auto IV, the critically acclaimed video game, has sold through to consumers approximately 6 million units globally with an estimated retail value of more than $500 million in the first week. Grand Theft Auto IV sold approximately 3.6 million units on its opening day with a retail value of approximately $310 million globally.

“Wits & Wagers” is the trivia party game where you don’t need to know the right answers to win!  Awarded Official Xbox Magazine’s coveted Editor’s Choice award, “Wits & Wagers” brings an inventive and accessible party experience to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT). Just like the award-winning board game, players don’t have to be trivia experts to excel at “Wits & Wagers,” which balances social and betting skills with trivia knowledge.  Choose your wacky dancing character and then dive into the game.  You can win by making educated guesses, playing the odds or just knowing the interests of other players, whether they are local or online.

Atari, Inc. one of the world's most recognized brands and a third-party video game publisher and distributor, today announced the upcoming launch of Smash Court Tennis 3 for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the latest star-packed tennis smash in the renowned series from NAMCO BANDAI Games. Featuring the biggest names in tennis including Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, highly realistic visuals, a host of gameplay enhancements and online play via Xbox LIVE online game service, Smash Court Tennis 3 will be lobbing and smashing its way into North American retailers in June 2008.

Electronic Arts Inc. announced today that NCAA Football 09, scheduled for release in North America on July 15, will feature wide open gameplay, college atmosphere and online enhancements. This year's iteration of NCAA Football brings to life the fun and excitement of gameday Saturdays. In addition, former Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan will be the cover athlete for NCAA Football 09 on the PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system. This year, the packaging for each of the NCAA Football 09 console platforms will feature an exclusive cover athlete.

The Casual Entertainment Label of Electronic Arts Inc. today released additional details on MONOPOLY (working title), the first Hasbro-branded video game set to launch on next-generation consoles including Wii and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. MONOPOLY will also be appearing on the PLAYSTATION2 computer entertainment system as well as mobile phones and Pogo.com. The multiplatform video game is inspired by Hasbro's highly anticipated MONOPOLY HERE & NOW: The World Edition board game. Currently, the MONOPOLY video games are set to release this fall simultaneously with the global launch of the new board game.

Bethesda Softworks, a ZeniMax Media company, officially announced today that it will release a special Fallout 3 collector’s edition worldwide for Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows, and PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system. The limited collector’s edition is available for pre-order through participating retailers. This premium Fallout 3 package, presented in a customized, metal Vault-Tec lunch box, includes the highly-anticipated game, a collectible 5” Vault-Tec Vault Boy Bobblehead, ‘The Art of Fallout 3’ hardcover book, featuring never-before-seen concept art and commentary from Bethesda Game Studios artists, and ‘The Making of Fallout 3’ DVD that includes an inside look at Bethesda Game Studios and the team behind the game.

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced the official title of its first Silent Hill game for PLAYSTATION3 and Xbox 360. Entitled Silent Hill: Homecoming, the game will be released end of September this year across Europe. The sixth installment in the classic video games series, Silent Hill: Homecoming introduces another protagonist to the mythos. The story follows Alex Shepherd, returning to his hometown of Shepherd’s Glen to investigate the sudden disappearance of his brother. From Shepherd’s Glen to Silent Hill, Alex must face the darkest of horrors in order to find his brother. Struggling with his own grip on reality, Alex must unravel the mystery behind his nightmares, discover the truth behind his brother’s disappearance, and confront the evil lurks in the seemingly empty streets of Silent Hill.

Rockstar Games is proud to announce the fourth installment of its critically-acclaimed and genre-defining Midnight Club franchise, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, is set for release on September 9th in North America and September 12th in Europe. Developed by series creator Rockstar San Diego, Midnight Club: Los Angeles will give gamers the unprecedented freedom to race through a hyper-realistic LA. "From the beginning, Midnight Club has been about street racing in a open-world," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "With our team at Rockstar San Diego we have developed a game that we feel once again pushes the boundaries and expectations of what a racing game can be."

Midway Games Inc. a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, today announced Mortal Kombat(R) vs. DC Universe, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. When a cataclysmic force merges conquerors from two universes, conflict is inevitable. Kombat forces friends to fight, worlds to collide, and unlikely alliances to be forged. In order to save all they know, the heroes and villains of Mortal Kombat must wage war against the combined might of the DC Universe (DCU). How can either side prevail when rage blinds them to the dark threat poised to destroy them all? 

For the first time ever Scorpion, Sub Zero and the warriors from Midway's billion-dollar fighting franchise face off against Batman, Superman and other iconic and powerful DC Super Heroes, featuring signature attacks for both sides and a unique and intertwining storyline, written as a collaboration between the Mortal Kombat creative team and top comic scribes Jimmy Palmiotti (Painkiller Jane, Marvel Nights, Jonah Hex, 21 Down) and Justin Gray (Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, JLA Classified, Punisher Red X-Mas, The Resistance) MK vs. DCU is slated to ship for the PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in Fall 2008.

Midway Games Inc. a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, and world renowned developer Epic Games Inc., today announced that the highly anticipated and award-winning, first-person shooter Unreal Tournament 3 is scheduled to ship for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft in Summer 2008. Utilizing Epic's world class Unreal Engine 3, Unreal Tournament 3 will feature two new characters, five new expansive maps and split screen capability, all exclusive to Xbox 360. Unreal Tournament 3 has already shipped more than one million units worldwide for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.

Calling all private military contractors! Electronic Arts announced today that its 3rd person co-op shooter, ARMY OF TWO, is expanding its two-man combat experience by releasing the new Security and Strategy Corporation (SSC) Challenge mode and maps. The unique SSC Challenge mode has two teams of two competing in an intense obstacle course for the chance to join the SSC, the Private Military Corporation in ARMY OF TWO. The new maps will be available on April 24 in North America and Europe on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The download pack will also come to the PLAYSTATION Store on April 24 in North America and May 2008 in Europe.

Prepare for the gold rush! This summer, the blockbuster action event of the season will not be in theatres. EA DICE, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that Battlefield: Bad Company will ship to retail outlets on June 23. Action fans and gamers worldwide will get their chance to join the ‘B’ company on exciting, sometimes irreverent, missions that take them through deserts, cities and mountain terrain to capture the spoils of war. Players will experience the tactical, destructive power in the deep single player campaign or go online for intense multiplayer action that only the Battlefield team can deliver. For a limited time only, gamers will be able to purchase the Gold Edition of Battlefield: Bad Company. The Gold Edition pack features exclusive content with behind-the-scenes action and strategy videos giving Battlefield: Bad Company players tricks and tips on how to own the battlefield. The Gold Edition also gives gamers early access to five unique weapons that players can take into battle. These weapons can also be unlocked after the launch of the game by ranking up to the highest level in multiplayer mode.

“Players can forget about using walls as cover as we’ve fundamentally changed the way to play shooters offline and online through the use of tactical destruction,” says Karl-Magnus Troedsson, Senior Producer for Battlefield: Bad Company. “Players will get the chance to reap the spoils of war this summer as they annihilate the enemy and search for gold in the dark, character-driven, single player storyline while returning Battlefield fans will love the intense and vehicle heavy multiplayer.”

Developed by Sweden-based developer EA DICE (Digital Illusions Creative Entertainment, www.dice.se), Battlefield: Bad Company will be available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. The game is rated “T” by the ESRB and “16+” by PEGI. For more information about the game, please visit http://www.battlefield.com

Brain Challenge for Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade, developed by Gameloft and published by Microsoft and released on March 30, 2008, jumped to the top of the sales charts as soon as it was launched on this platform. Originally released as a mobile phone game, Brain Challenge has already won over millions of players worldwide and the strong kick-off launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade heralds well for its future. "Brain Challenge is an excellent fit for the Microsoft Xbox LIVE Arcade," commented Michel Guillemot, Gameloft's President. "Players of all kinds value the ease of access, and are carried by the game's daily brain-training challenges. Some fans have even reached scores that our teams had never thought possible! Gameloft intends to keep on offering players innovative and well-thought-out games that will exceed their expectations."

BET Networks today announced that it will add a broad selection of full-length BET television shows for download on Xbox LIVE, the online games and entertainment network on Xbox 360. Effective immediately, a growing catalog of episodes from BET's top-rated programming will be available for download from Xbox LIVE, including, but not limited to, COLLEGE HILL 4, AMERICAN GANGSTER and COMIC VIEW, with IRON RING featuring a free download of the premiere episode to consumers for one full week. "This partnership is a natural fit for our audience. African Americans and particularly BET viewers significantly over-index in console gaming consumption," said Denmark West, President of Digital Media. BET Networks. "We are looking forward to providing on the Xbox 360 console the BET programming our audience has grown to love."

There’s a new addition to the family of party games available on Xbox 360! “Rocky and Bullwinkle” is available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade, along with an enhanced version of the tank vs. tank action classic “Battlezone” this Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT). Based on the popular cartoon series of the 1960s, “Rocky and Bullwinkle” on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast and fun party experience packed with more than 100 micro games. Eight playable characters from Frostbite Falls are back in the living room, including Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right and many more. “Rocky and Bullwinkle” features five difficulty settings, as well as support for up to 12 players in local hot-seat mode.

Microsoft Corporation has recruited Activision, Inc. and Infinity Ward to provide prizes for its newest online offensive: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare LIVE Fire Weekend 2008, a 72-hour play and win sweepstakes full of games and prizes beginning on Friday, April 18 at 12:01 a.m. EDT through Sunday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Hourly prizes will be awarded throughout the weekend, including Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare shirts, Infinity Ward autographed posters and Xbox LIVE point cards. One Grand Prize winner also will receive an Infinity Ward autographed Xbox 360 Elite console and a Limited Edition Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare faceplate, among other items.  Players can register now through April 17, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. EDT at www.xbox.com/livefire/

In addition, on Friday, April 18 from 6-9 p.m. EDT, gamers can play with more than a dozen developers from Infinity Ward and then on Saturday night from 9-11 p.m. EDT Mixed Martial Arts phenom, Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver (gamertag: COD4JensPulver) will join the online action.

Add these gamertags to your friends list:

Fourzerotwo
COD4Chance
COD4Justin
COD4Ed
COD4David COD4Neel
COD4Geoffrey
COD4Jon
COD4Jeff
COD4Drew COD4Ryan
COD4Todd
COD4Joel

More details on the Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare LIVE Fire weekend 2008 and information regarding terms, conditions, and official rules are available on the official event page:  www.xbox.com/livefire/.

LucasArts today announced that its highly anticipated videogame Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will be released on September 16, 2008 in the United States, September 17 in Southeast Asia and Australia, and September 19 in Europe. An entirely new chapter in the Star Wars Saga, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed casts players as Darth Vader’s “Secret Apprentice” and promises to unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy.  The game’s expansive story is set during the largely unexplored era between Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.  In it, players will assist Vader in his quest to rid the universe of Jedi – and face decisions that could change the course of their destiny.
  “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is one of the most ambitious projects LucasArts has ever launched. The combination of a great new Star Wars story with revolutionary new technology and game play means more fun than you’ve ever had in the Star Wars universe,” said Peter Hirschmann, Vice-President of Product Development, LucasArts.  “We can’t wait until gamers get their hands on it this September.”

Research carried out for a Southampton University project has revealed Call of Duty 4 is top of the chart as the most effective video game to shed those unwanted pounds (on average 9 lbs a month), with Xbox 360 being the most successful fat burning console (1.6 percent body fat reduction per month). Data from the companies GZ Personal Trainer program was analyzed using a random sample of 250 male and female gamers aged between 18 and 35. From July 2007 the GZ Personal Trainer program has been collecting the gamers daily Gamercize and other fitness workouts, such as jogging and team sports. The GZ Personal Trainer program provides easy to understand weight loss graphs, body fat percentage analysis, BMI calculation and waist hip ratio health indicators.

Joining the fabulous lineup of puzzle games available on Xbox 360, “MR. DRILLER Online” comes to Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT). Players take on the role of a driller moving through levels of colorful blocks, avoiding the threat of being crushed by falling blocks, all while keeping their air supply from running out. “MR. DRILLER Online” features single player modes including Standard Driller and Quest Driller, as well as online multiplayer support for up to four players on Xbox LIVE. In online multiplayer mode, players can participate in a split screen Solo Battle, where the best score wins, or in Tag Battle, where friends team up in pairs to beat the game.

Capcom a leading developer and publisher of videogames, today confirmed that it has secured exclusive worldwide rights to publish official videogames and create peripherals based on the world's premier motorcycle racing championship, MotoGP, through 2012. Capcom's exclusive four year games license covers all console formats, including PlayStation(R)2, PlayStationPortable, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC. As part of the agreement, Capcom intends to initially publish titles based on the 2008 MotoGP season for the Xbox 360 PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system, the Wii system from Nintendo, the PC platform and the PlayStation2 system, plus versions for mobile handsets.