UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif – Aug. 14, 2008 – Marking the return of the bad ass game brand that champions a despotic tyrant and sets loose the most vicious, yet lovably insane critters in gaming, Codemasters® today announced that the Overlord and the Minions will headline a series of three new Overlord™ titles for multiple platforms in 2009.

Overlord™II is the sequel to the original twisted fantasy action adventure and is now in development at Triumph Studios for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and Games For Windows®. True to form, the Overlord and the Minion horde have their sights set on supremacy and 2009 will also see the series debuting on new formats. Exclusive extensions include the action title Overlord™Dark Legend for Wii™, featuring minion control through Wii Remote movement, and Overlord™Minions, a dedicated puzzle action title, for Nintendo DS™.

“As a million-plus seller, Overlord is now a significant brand in the ever-growing Codemasters portfolio,” says Barry Jafrato, Senior Vice President of Brand, Codemasters. “With specific titles published across major formats and download content available, Overlord has established a huge cult following and won widespread critical acclaim. We’re delighted to have the despot back for this three-game, five-format product line. With Triumph’s hugely impressive vision for Overlord II and custom-built titles for Wii and Nintendo DS, Overlord is set to dominate in 2009.”

“Epic battles, all-new Minion play mechanics, a stunningly detailed new visuals and a fresh theme – Overlord II’s really packing a punch,” says Lennart Sas, director and Overlord lead at Triumph Studios. “We’re really excited about shifting the world to a new era where a Roman-inspired Empire rises as the arch-enemy of the Overlord, which leads to an epic clash between the regimented forces of a sprawling state and the faster, harder, more manic minion horde. It’s also great to see the series reaching new formats. The creativity being packed into the design for Overlord Dark Legend on Wii and Overlord Minions on Nintendo DS make great use of the platforms’ unique features and are perfect extensions to the Overlord series.”

OVERLORD TITLES FOR 2009:

Overlord™II
·        PLAYSTATION®3 system, Xbox 360, Games For Windows.

Overlord™II is the sequel to the hit warped fantasy action adventure that had players being delightfully despotic. In Overlord II, a new Overlord and a more powerful army of Minions take on an entire empire in a truly epic adventure, inspired by the rise of the Roman Empire. As the Glorious Empire conquers kingdoms and destroys any sign of magic it finds, it’s time to go Minion Maximus and send in the horde.

The Minions return smarter, deadlier (and funnier) and are ready to fight in large scale battles that will see their wild pack mentality squaring up to the organized legions of the Glorious Empire. As ever, they’ll do anything and everything the Overlord commands of them, especially now that they can run ravage and wreck buildings and scenery. They’ve also learned to ride: In Overlord II, Minions will be able to mount up and ride wolves and other magical creatures around the landscape and take them into battle, making our band of merry fighters faster and fiercer than ever before. Coming in 2009, Overlord II is now in development at Triumph Studios in Delft, the Netherlands, for the PLAYSTATION®3 system, Xbox 360 and Games For Windows.

Overlord™ DARK LEGEND.
·        Wii™

Designed and developed exclusively for Wii, Overlord Dark Legend is a brand-new action adventure steeped in fairy tale lore with sinister, satirical twists. Set in a time before the original game, players take the role of a new young Overlord. As he revels in command of the Minions, our trainee tyrant will be able to take his growing pains out on the local fairy tale inhabitants as he protects his castle and lands.

Connecting players to the game world in three dimensions, the use of the Wii Remote gives unprecedented control over the minions. For example, individual Minions can be plucked from the horde, held by the neck and then, by vigorously shaking the Wii Remote, throttled to imbue him with some Overlordly power and turn him into a manic minion missile. With a now-explosive body, the insane little critter can be guided into enemies with hilarious, if rather fatal, consequences.

Backed by a rich, tongue-in-cheek story from award-winning games author Rhianna Pratchett, the game features Overlord favorites including Halflings, trolls, elves, and dwarves and introduces wicked witches, gingerbread men and Lil’ Red Riding Hood, the seeming sweet girl with a very personal lupine secret. Coming in 2009, Overlord Dark Legend is now in development at Climax Studios, exclusively for Wii.

Overlord™MINIONS
·        Nintendo DS™

Meet Giblet, Blaze, Stench, and Zap – an elite Minion crew who, assisted by minion master Gnarl, get star billing in Overlord Minions, an irresistible and accessible puzzle action game, designed exclusively for Nintendo DS. In Overlord Minions, the Overlord commands the Minion team remotely. The Nintendo DS stylus becomes an extension of his evil will and every precise Touch Screen command is the player-as-Overlord directing, commanding and combining minions in battle, pointing and sweeping them to attack enemies and solving puzzles to execute his dastardly plans.

Controlling the Special Farces team of four, players negotiate fiendish levels and take on a huge range of warped enemies to hunt down the Kindred, a cult dedicated to resurrecting the mighty Dragon Kin, a race of humanoid dragon hybrids, determined to replace the Overlord’s despotism with their own. Extending the Overlord series’ trademark humor, gameplay focuses on the mischievous physical comedy of the minion’s antics and is delivered in a stylized cartoon visual style. Scheduled for release in 2009, Overlord Minions is now in development at Climax Studios exclusively for Nintendo DS.

With a rousing cry of “Veni, Vidi, Vici per Minions”, prepare to face the Glorious Empire in Overlord II and the rather grim fairy tales of Overlord Dark Legend and Overlord Minions when the terrific tyrant returns in 2009.

• Fallout 3: This game comes highly anticipated, and the footage was pretty awesome
• Resident Evil 5:  I used to really be into the resident evil series years ago back on the original playstation, but not as much in the more recent releases of the series - but with co-op its definately worth checking out
• Fable 2: its been on the top of my list for a while now – looks amazing, and i have said it a million times but i love co-op
• Gears of War 2: looking great – some interesting hints about riding some crazy beasts in the game, and cliffy mentioned a 5 player co-op game that sounds like complete madness
• NBC Studios: i am not much into the tv and movies realm of xbox, but nice addition
• New Dash – Avatars: I think the new dash looks pretty sweet, and the avatars might be cool – but what happens to the gamerpics, and themes especially for those that bought them?
• Group chat: never thought they would release this – was a total shocker, but one of the most requested things i hear from people for xbox live.
• Geo wars 2: just as good as the original, but now with co-op, i must not be the only one that likes co-op and game companies are listening!
• Galaga: looks pretty trippy, and then made by the same guys that did the championship edition pac man, so that makes sense, definately want to try the demo if nothing else
• Portal XBLA: who doesnt love you some portal?
• South park game: i really didnt think these guys were that popular any more – but should be an interesting title to see what kind of crazy bar they try to pass, like the show did when it first came out.
• GTA IV: here comes our bonus content we were promised for the xbox version!
• Netflix: i dont have netflix anymore but this is an amazing bonus for having netflix – i might switch just for this
• Viva Pinata 2: I loved viva pinata before, and this is coming with tons more creatures and real co-op, so its definately on the must have list!
• GH World tour: i still am a bit off on the GUITAR hero having other instruments but gotta give it to them they are coming out with a nice chunk of songs and some interesting gear
• Rock Band 2: all your old songs work and something like 100 songs coming? thats a serious arsenal of songs.
• Infinite Discover, Star Ocean, The Last Remnant: lots of RPG goodness coming your way
• Final Fantasy XIII: PS3 Fanboys are crying everywhere

there is of course many other things mentioned, which I didnt really get a good look at or didnt have a real opinion to post, so i left them out – I am sure you guys all ready are swimming in E3 info anyway, just figured i would post my 2 cents, and get some fresh content on the neglected 3fs blog

PS friendcast #6 recorded, i just have to edit and put it online – so, look for it soon!

You might have read over at Major Nelson that Call of Duty 4 has decided to take the throne back as the most played Xbox 360 title.  I was reading fourtwozero’s blog today and noticed this weekend is going to be a double XP weekend for all you people gunning the nights away in COD4.  I hope to at least get some play time in – being able to advance my experience two times as much as I normally would, is too good to pass up! 

official press reelase & screen shots after the break!

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“Buku Sudoku,” the first and only Sudoku game available on Xbox LIVE Arcade and Atari’s arcade classic “Warlords,” both launch on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday, 28 May, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. GMT (1:00 a.m. PDT).
 
Experience the excitement of the world’s hottest number game sensation on Xbox LIVE Arcade with “Buku Sudoku.” The title upgrades the traditional paper-and-pencil game with beautiful HD graphics, informative tutorials, multiple grid sizes and new ways to enjoy the game via multiplayer modes. With multiple themes that allow players to choose the audio and visual environment, over 1,200 puzzles total and three levels of difficulty, “Buku Sudoku” has something for everyone.
 
“Buku Sudoku” multiplayer modes feature support for up to four players offline and up to eight players via Xbox LIVE. More casual players can experience the game with friends and family through the cooperative mode, and competitive players will enjoy an entirely new concept – an active duel where the player’s performance directly impacts his opponent’s puzzle.
 
Developed by Merscom, “Buku Sudoku” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on “Buku Sudoku” please visit:
 
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/b/bukusudokuxboxlivearcade/

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“Warlords” offers single and multiplayer action as up to four players battle to protect their fortress from attack, while battering down their opponents’ at a frenetic pace! Defend yourself from incoming fire with your mighty shield and smash down your enemies’ defenses by firing flaming balls at them, or blast a hole through and bring their Warlord tumbling down along with his castle walls!
 
“Warlords” returns in both a pixel-perfect copy of the original arcade cabinet game, plus a brand new “Evolved” version featuring cool new 3D graphics and the opportunity to be your own Warlord using the live video feed! Single player is supported, along with 2, 3, and 4 player local and Xbox LIVE multiplayer choices.
 
Developed by Stainless Games, “Warlords” will be available worldwide (with the exception of Japan and Korea) for 400 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on “Warlords” please visit:
 
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox360
 

Bayonetta is a stylish and cinematic action game, directed by Devil May Cry creator Hideki Kamiya. Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat that takes place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions.

A witch with powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.

Sinister forces are again threatening mankind and the Assault Heroes are called back in action to save the day in the Assault Heroes 2 game.  New and upgraded weapons add greater firepower as players take out waves of fierce enemies and unimaginable mechanical bosses for many hours of destruction. Extended on-foot skirmishes with a more powerful arsenal of weapons allow for up close battles in expansive underground areas.  New vehicles including a rapid-fire spacecraft and hi-jackable enemy units increase mobility and protection in treacherous situations.

Developed by Wanako Studios, the Assault Heroes 2 game rated T and is available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system for 800 Microsoft Points.  For more information, please visit www.assaultheroes2.com . 

Looking for some free stuff ?  Sign-up for the Assault Heroes 2 Play & Win Sweepstakes, and also don’t forget to Prove your Skills for a chance at a free game from Sierra Online & 360friendspot.com

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.

Break out the Big Button pad controllers and invite friends over for an entertaining couch vs. couch multiplayer experience on Xbox LIVE, supporting 1-4 players offline and 2-6 players in online multiplayer mode. With 700 trivia questions, great character costumes and dance moves, catchy music, achievements, leaderboards, support for the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera, the Xbox Big Button Pad and more, Wits & Wagers is the fun party game you can play with your family and friends starting this Wednesday!

Developed by Hidden Path Entertainment, Wits & Wagers will be available in the U.S., U.K and Canada for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB. For more details on Wits & Wagers please visit:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/w/wandwxboxlivearcade/