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A Night in Fantasia 2009: Tickets Now Available!

By Brenna Hillier - Thu Aug 13, 2009 4:37am

Forgive the apparent oxymoron, but contemporary classical music has majorly benefited from the interest generated by film and game soundtracks, one of the few successful commercial outlets for an increasingly marginalised musical tradition. A case in point is the Sydney based Eminence symphony orchestra, whose tireless efforts to showcase some of the incredible art apparent in our favoured medium come to a head at the annual A Night in Fantasia concert.

Tickets are now on sale for the gaming high-culture event of the year, which this time will feature pieces from the Prince of Persia, Metal Gear Solid and Ace Combat series, the epic Shadow of the Colossus, C&C: Red Alert 3 and even Diablo III.

By Jessica Citizen - Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:33am

Steven recently told us about the Tim Schafer flash game, where you play as Schafer himself, getting ready to host the Game Developers' Choice Awards. While this is a pretty enjoyable little thing in the privacy of your own home, it gets a bit weird when it's splashed up on a big screen at the actual awards ceremony, which is about to be hosted by none other than Tim Schafer.

Earlier this evening, as part of GDC 09, the second half of awards night kicked off in style, with a joke about organ harvesting. While this may have been the first surprise of the evening, it wasn't the last, with fan favourite Braid nominated for a variety of prizes, but then watching LittleBigPlanet scoop the pool.

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[GDC09] OnLive gaming finds a cloud

By Jessica Citizen - Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:06pm

With a staff comprised of people who have worked with Eidos, QuickTime, WebTV and Mova, and seven years of stealth development, it's no surprise that OnLive is pretty big.

Officially announced tonight at GDC, it's games on demand - or cloud computing for gaming. They're promising the latest high-end AAA titles will be available instantly, via either an entry-level PC or Mac (through a 1MB downloadable browser plug-in) or your television (thanks to a handy little "microconsole" about the size of an iPhone or an external hard drive).

By Steven Perdikis - Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:44am

Ubisoft and Valve are having a week of sales on Steam, as Brenna so kindly informed us yesterday (When gamers could pick up Assassin's Creed on the cheap).

For those looking for a new and interesting way to spend our precious earnings - and have been contemplating purchasing Prince of Persia through Steam can now do so for the modest sum of US$24.99 - 50% off the normal price of US$49.99.

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Steam Ubisoft sale week

By Brenna Hillier - Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:00am

It seems no form of media is immune from the economic doom and gloom blasting from speakers and leaping off the page at us, but the games press has been quite hopeful, claiming that despite a general drop in consumer spending, the industry is doing relatively well. Well, gamers might be (statistically) big spenders, but everyone likes a bargain, right? Thus I present to you Steam's Ubisoft Sale Week, one of a handful of sales the digital distributor has thrown lately in what appears to be a fit of madness. The insanity kicked off yesterday with 50% off blockbuster title Assassin's Creed.

By Steven Perdikis - Fri Mar 6, 2009 10:19am

Ubisoft have announced that the Epilogue downloadable content for Prince of Persia is now available. The downloadable content is now available through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 800 Microsoft Points, and is also available through the PlayStation Store for $15.95.

The Epilogue downloadable content adds a number of new gameplay features to the game, which includes an all-new region, a new power, a new "high place" to ascend to, and a new attack. Finally ,there is also a set of new unlockable skins for both the Prince and Elika.

By Steven Perdikis - Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:21am

To follow on with the announcement that Prince of Persia will be making its way onto the Mac, Ubisoft have released a new trailer that shows off some of the content to be included in the Epilogue downloadable content, that is due to be released on the 26th of February.

The new trailer features the game's unique art-style and aesthetic, and is complimented with brooding voice acting which makes for a frantic and emotional experience, with the Prince and Elika to confront an all-new enemy.

By Steven Perdikis - Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:00am

Ubisoft Entertainment have announced that they intend to support the Mac as a gaming platform in the future, with the company to utilise the services of TransGaming Inc to move two AAA titles to the platform. In March this year, Mac gamers will be able to acquaint themselves with Prince of Persia and Shaun White Snowboarding - both which will be optimised to run natively under OSX.

The games will be available through both digital download and retail outlets, with CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: Hard Evidence, Rayman Raving Rabbids and Petz Sports to be available on the Mac in March.

By Timmy Campbell - Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:57pm

Ubisoft have announced that the latest Prince of Persia will receive some new downloadable content. The content titled 'Prince of Persia Epilogue' is scheduled to release February 26 for consoles.

What is inside the pack? Well there is a new region, a new power, unlockable skins and a new attack. We have the full details on each, so come check out what you will be getting in the DLC.

By Steven Perdikis - Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:12pm

UbiSoft Entertainment have released a sales report, indicating that as of December 2008, sales of their products went up by thirteen per cent, leading to a total sales value of five hundred and eight million euro for third financial quarter. This is an increase over sales the previous year's third quarter, which was four hundred and fifty million euro.

The five hundred and eight million euro worth of sales exceeded UbiSoft's financial guidance, when it had previously indicated that it expected to sell products valued at around five hundred million euro. In reflecting upon its success, UbiSoft cited titles such as Far Cry 2, Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party, Shaun White Snowboarding and Prince of Persia as major contributors.

By Steven Perdikis - Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:28pm

Eidos, the publisher behind the Tomb Raider series have noted that the latest instalment in the franchise, Tomb Raider: Underworld was not as successful as they had hoped. As a result, Eidos' projected profits for the financial year have been lowered. In addition, a move to focus Crystal Dynamics on the Tomb Raider IP, has seen thirty employees lose their jobs.

Whilst the job-losses are a shame, particularly in light of the currently poor position of the global economy, it isn't all bad news. Eidos have stated that going forward, the Tomb Raider franchise, and even Lara Croft herself will need to evolve in order to captivate a changing demographic.

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Now Playing (02/12/08)

By Timmy Campbell - Tue Dec 2, 2008 7:27pm

Oh no! Time has flown and I can't even believe it is December already. The last of the huge weeks of releases is here and it is the last chance for publishers to get their trailers out before the masses head to do their Christmas shopping.

This week we are heading back to Persia in time for the games release. One of my Final Fantasies comes back in a new game. There is a Storm rising over Project Origin and games considering this their Alpha Protocol. Lastly we get a little Roco in a crazy sequel.

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The Warp Pipe - 30/11/08

By Matt Keller - Sun Nov 30, 2008 8:57am

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Next Thursday’s marks the end of the big release season (unless you’re feverishly anticipating the release of Pony Friends), with Prince of Persia, Tomb Raider Underworld and the PC version of Grand Theft Auto IV rounding off a rather good year. This week marks the end of our five part special on the best games of 1998 with Crash Bandicoot: Warped, Baldur’s Gate, Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus, Street Fighter Alpha 3 and Worms 2 going under The Warp Pipe’s microscope.

By Jessica Citizen - Mon Nov 24, 2008 12:20pm

When Prince of Persia arrives on consoles in December of this year, he's bringing a friend with him - none other than Altair from Assassin's Creed! Now, I'd heard rumours about this over the weekend, but Ubisoft have just confirmed it, and explained how it all works.

Simply link your Ubisoft.com account to either your Xbox LIVE or PlayStation Network account, and you'll be given access to a special Altair skin. With that installed, you can check out all the sights and adventures of ancient Persia, while decked out in the red and white of Altair's ancient order.

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Now Playing (18/11/08)

By Timmy Campbell - Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:28pm

With some big name games released this week (and still more to come), most of you are probably off in various worlds with Lich Kings, Sack people and zombies. But if your are one of the ones still waiting around for their game of choice to be released, check out some of the new trailers we got this week.

This week we head to Persia to learn how to climb walls and Skate It. We look at some Chronicles and Commandos. The Last Remnant is out in force and causing two different universes to collide in Kombat.

By Steven Perdikis - Fri Oct 24, 2008 1:05pm

Ubisoft Entertainment have announced that their sales for the first half of 2008-09 fiscal year have exceeded expectations, in spite of any perceived global economic crisis. Increased sales has also seen Ubisoft record increased income. Sales increased by €175 million to €344 million, about 30% higher than the same time last year, when Ubisoft reported sales of €261 million.

This success has been attributed to the successful launches of Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway, and a European distribution deal for Soulcalibur IV. Some of Ubisoft's casual games such as Imagine Teacher also contributed to higher sales.

By Brenna Hillier - Tue Oct 21, 2008 12:38pm

Bah! Back in the day, sonny, we didn't have any of these fancy time-shifting abilities; if we died, we died. And in the original Prince of Persia we died often, and hard, and got very frustrated - so is it any wonder that we greet the remake of the 1989 original as Prince of Persia Classic with a hearty cheer?

Before you start wondering how you missed another title in the franchise, take a look at those screenshots; another thing we didn't have back in the day was the third dimension. Yes, when Prince of Persia Classic finally arrives on the Australian Playstation Network on Thursday, it will be in all its 2D glory.

By Steven Perdikis - Sat Oct 4, 2008 2:34pm

Ubisoft have today released a new developer diary for their upcoming revival of the Prince of Persia series. It takes a look at "The Corruption", the evil force which is plaguing the land, and also offers some insight into art direction and the story of the game.

There is also some information about Elika, who follows the Prince in his efforts to remove evil from the land. She's discovered magic, and its use is also detailed in the new trailer.

By Jessica Citizen - Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:54am

The scurvy dog Steven Plankwalker told us last week that Ubisoft's upcoming Prince of Persia had been given a release date in the US, UK and Europe, but he hadn't heard anything about an Australian date just yet.

Well, Ubisoft have sent a message by carrier pigeon, arriving this morning to tell us that December 4th is the fateful date you will be able to visit the Prince in his new digs on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, with Prince of Persia: The Fallen King shipping simultaneously for the DS.

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The Warp Pipe - 21/09/08

By Matt K - Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:57am

The Holiday flood begins this Thursday with the release of an ungodly amount of games, including Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, Crysis Warhead and Wipeout HD, and doesn’t stop until the week before Christmas. To save you all a bit of time, I like to run through the release list at the start of a given quarter, and make sweeping generalisations as to the quality of upcoming games.

Last week’s Warp Pipe covered the games of October, so this week we’re looking at November’s big hitters, including Gears of War 2, Left 4 Dead and Mirror’s Edge.

By Steven Plankwalker - Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:36pm

It has been a while since we've brought ye any infermation on Ubisoft's upcomin' Prince of Persia. Whilst the DS instalment, Prince of Persia: The Fallen King received some attention a few months ago, little has been re'ealed regardin' what gamers be really waitin' fer - the Prince's introduction t' a new era o' hardware.

Today, we've got infermation regardin' when we can expect the title t' lan', which will mark the first Prince o' Persia game since the conclusion o' the San's o' Time trilogy in 2006.

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The Warp Pipe - 20/07/08

By Matt K - Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:38am

So the 2008 E3 Media and Business Summit has wrapped up. Bitter fanboys are sure to have run out of tears, at least temporarily, while tired journalists are no doubt catching up on some much needed sleep. I have no doubt that many of you have long lists of games you're now salivating over even more than before – better start putting those pennies aside. On the other hand, those of us on the reviewing side of things are currently wondering how on Earth we're going to manage to cover all of the fourth quarter's games without going insane.

This week, we'll reflect on the events that transpired during the three manufacturer press conferences and discuss our thoughts and any potential ramifications, and we'll also look at a few of the best games that were on show.

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The Warp Pipe - 29/06/08

By Matt K - Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:31am

This weekend marks the midway point of 2008, a milestone which has either come very slowly or out of nowhere, depending on your perception of time and space. I find myself in the latter group, stuck in a state of mind where it's March or April, largely out of desperation for some warm weather. Most of my recent time has been spent wrestling a Metal Gear Solid 4 review, which you'll see on the site soon, and the new Alone in the Dark game, which has some promising concepts destroyed by wretched controls and a multitude of glitches.

With the midway point reached, I thought I'd take the time this week to look back at the major events and releases of the first six months of the year.

By holo` - Fri Jun 27, 2008 5:21pm

Long-time gamers will fondly remember the old school Prince of Persia games. In the past few years, the Prince has emerged from his dusty old 2D titles into glorious 3D, dazzling an all new audience. To coincide with the upcoming release simply titled Prince of Persia, on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, Ubisoft have recently decided that the Prince must conquer all manner of mainstream gaming consoles, announcing of Prince of Persia: The Fallen King for the Nintendo DS.

To be released exclusively for the Nintendo DS, Prince of Persia: The Fallen King will take players on an all new journey enriching the Prince of Persia mythos. Featuring a story line completely independent of other titles in the franchise, the game will make use of the unique stylus controls found on the Nintendo DS.

By Chienne - Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:11pm

Speaking of achievements, Ubisoft want you to choose one to be included in the upcoming Xbox 360 release of Prince of Persia.

They've opened up a voting booth on their website, and would like you - the gaming public - to choose from three possible achievements, to see which one will be included in the game.

It's their way of thanking gamers for their enthusiasm over this title - and to give people the chance to have an impact on the prince's next-gen debut. They promise there's already a "great set" of achievements in the pipeline, but have made space for one more, chosen by you!

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