Developer Game Arts (Grandia, Lunar, Gungriffon) announced the release of their first original IP in a decade.

GAME ARTS ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THE MAGIC OBELISK FOR WIIWARE

The First Original Title in a Decade From a Legendary Japanese Developer

NEW YORK, NY – December 21, 2009 – GAME ARTS announced today that the heartwarming action-adventure game The Magic Obelisk will be available in North America on WiiWare™ on December 28, 2009. This is the first original title in a decade from the acclaimed Japanese developer. The Magic Obelisk is an unforgettably original gameplay experience featuring fascinating characters, an extraordinary tale, and the forge of a deep friendship.

Featuring over 30 stages, The Magic Obelisk revolves around a tree spirit named Lukus. Like other tree spirits of this world, Lukus is gifted with the ability to transform into trees and is eager to use his powers to help people around the world. He is looking for the perfect place to take root and become a tree, but unfortunately the only way he can move is by shadows, a journey he cannot complete himself. Players are tasked with helping Lukus reach his goal by taking charge of Popo, a light spirit who can shine his light near the mysterious Magic Obelisks to create shadows. When Popo shines his light near one of these obelisks, he can create shadows and connect two or more shadows to help Lukus move through the level.

On their journey through a vibrant fantasy world, players will overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and encounter new friends and foes. The richly detailed yet cartoon-like robots, ghosts, and spirits in the game reflect GAME ARTS’ dedication to a fresh “story book” art style for the game. The overall effect of playing The Magic Obelisk is a calm feeling of happiness and healing.

“It has certainly been a long time coming, but we’re very pleased to give North American gamers a chance to play The Magic Obelisk, a game that has been truly a labor of love for us,” said Kazuki Morishita, President of GAME ARTS. “It is our goal to bring players not only addictive gameplay, but also an emotional response to characters and their dependence on one another.”

The Magic Obelisk will be available for 500 Wii Points™.

About GAME ARTS Co., Ltd.

GAME ARTS Co., Ltd. was established in 1985 and has been in the industry for more than 20 years, becoming one of the most prestigious development companies in Japan with role-playing games such as the “Grandia” and “Lunar” series, the shooter series “Silpheed,” and the mechanized shooter series “Gungriffon.” Currently developing titles for next gen home consoles, portable devices as well as PC, the technology gained through their vast development experience working on first-party and original titles across a wide range of platforms has prepared them to tackle every new project dynamically and professionally. GAME ARTS Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary company of GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. For more information, please visit http://www.gamearts.com/.

cdv USA’s Divinity II – Ego Draconis “Game Feature Challenge” Contest Continues!

Master the character development of the Dragon Slayer and compete for your chance to win!

Cary, North Carolina – December 16, 2009 – cdv Software Entertainment USA is pleased to announce the second round of its Divinity II – Ego Draconis Game Feature Challenge! The ways of the Dragon Slayer are built upon combat, magic and mindreading and how you develop your character will largely determine your mighty victory or bitter defeat during your journey through Rivellon.

In this, the second round of the Divinity II – Ego DraconisGame Feature Challenge, master the Character Development of your Dragon Slayer by visiting www.honorofrivellon.com where aspiring Dragon Slayers will learn the secrets of Creature Creation, Mindreading, Attributes, Leveling Up and the Damage System, all to compete for a chance to win a variety of Divinity II – Ego Draconis-themed prizes, including themed controllers, controller skins, in-game bonuses and more!

The Game Feature Challenge comes on heels of the recently launched Divinity II – Ego DraconisEpic PC Sweepstakes, which gives fans the chance to win epic loot, including a Custom Divinity II – Ego Draconis Gaming PC and a High-Resolution LCD Desktop Display. Visit www.honorofrivellon.com for a full list of prizes, more details and to enter to win!

Don’t forget about the Divinity II – Ego Draconis GAMESTOP 360 Pre-Order Bonus: Players who pre-order Divinity II – Ego Draconis for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft from GameStop will receive the exclusive in-game Blood Echelon Armor and Weapon Set while supplies last. The Blood Echelon is a select lodge of elite Dragon Slayers who have earned the highest of distinctions on the battlefield. The pre-order program is available now through January 5, 2010.

**Please note that this program applies only to pre-orders of Divinity II – Ego Draconis for Xbox 360 **

Please visit your local GameStop for more information and incentive details, or check online at: http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75982.

The sequel to the critically acclaimed action-RPG Divine Divinity, Divinity II – Ego Draconis transports players back to the wide-open, war-torn world of Rivellon where they will battle the forces of evil not just as a human warrior, but also as a powerful Dragon Knight! Developed by Larian Studios, Divinity II– Ego Draconis boasts a robust fantasy adventure of more than 60 hours, teeming with massive dungeons and outdoor spaces to explore. It offers deep on-the-ground and aerial combat, and an intriguing mystery to unravel that could reveal hidden truths and revive forgotten evils, altering the face of Rivellon forever!

For more information about Divinity II – Ego Draconis, which is rated “M” for “Mature” by the ESRB, please visit www.cdvus.com or www.divinity2.com.

BURBANK, Calif. – (December 14, 2009) – The digital world of TRON is awaiting a new participant.  Disney Interactive Studios today announced the development of TRON: Evolution, the video game.  TRON: Evolution is an action/adventure game being created for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC.  Developed by Propaganda Games, Disney Interactive Studios’ action and role-playing game studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, TRON: Evolution is scheduled for release in Holiday 2010 before the “TRON: Legacy” film arrives in theaters.

Set during the era between the two TRON films, TRON: Evolution conveys the story of significant events within the TRON mythology.  The game features an epic adventure across a massive digital world filled with high-mobility disc-based combat and advanced light cycles.

TRON: Evolution is one of the keys to unlocking the TRON mythology.  The game’s story takes place before the “TRON: Legacy” events and provides insight into the film’s past.  As an integrated entertainment experience, the film will reference elements of the game’s story.  Fans will want to play the game to learn more about the TRON mythology seen in the film, but each entertainment experience will stand on its own.

“We expect TRON: Evolution to be a premier action-focused game that both stands on its own and supplements a major event film,” said Dan Tudge, vice president and general manager, Propaganda Games.  “Because Propaganda Games is based in Vancouver, which was the site of the film’s principal photography, we were able to leverage the proximity to continuously collaborate with the filmmakers and ensure authenticity between the two projects.”

“TRON: Legacy” film director Joseph Kosinski consulted on the vision for the debut video game trailer, which includes computer graphics that were created by the same company that will provide the film’s CG animations.  Kosinski will advise on the game’s vision during 2010 to ensure accuracy with the film.  In addition to directing “TRON: Legacy,” Kosinski is renowned in the video games industry as having directed prolific feature film-quality game trailers for major product releases.

“The collaboration between the video game development studio and the film creators is exceptional,” said Sean Bailey, producer, “TRON: Legacy.”  ”From the ongoing discussions between the filmmakers and the game developers, TRON: Evolution should enhance and expand the mythology and the world of ‘TRON: Legacy.’”

As part of the connection between the game and film, actress Olivia Wilde stars as Quorra in TRON: Evolution.  Wilde’s voice and likeness as Quorra will provide players with another direct link to the film as they discover how earlier events within the world of TRON shape her character’s future.

“TRON is the most revered video game-inspired film property of all time,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios.  “TRON: Evolution, the video game, will enhance the TRON experience for existing fans of the franchise as well as an entirely new audience.”

TRON: Evolution and “TRON: Legacy” are brand new entries in the TRON franchise, updating the unique world for this millennium.  The cross-platform franchise being created around the “TRON: Legacy” film will transcend media platforms throughout Disney.  The revolutionary 1982 film “TRON” catapulted video games into mainstream consciousness and contributed to the industry’s rapid growth and global success.  The original film inspired arcade games and video game releases, making TRON a highly successful multi-format franchise.

TRON: Evolution is Rating Pending from the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

About “TRON: Legacy”

“TRON: Legacy” is a 3D high-tech adventure set in a digital world that’s unlike anything ever captured on the big screen.  Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), looks into his father’s disappearance and finds himself pulled into the digital world of TRON where his father has been living for 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidant Quorra (Olivia Wilde), father and son embark on a life-and-death journey of escape across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous.  “TRON: Legacy” is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2010.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XefvGshrHU