F1 Online: The Game is a new free-to-play racing and management game in production at Codemasters Studios under exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited and will feature all the cars, stars and circuits.

Codemasters has also launched F1 Online: The Game’s first gameplay video, now showing at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. Showcasing work-in-progress in-game footage, the trailer features wheel-to-wheel multiplayer racing around the iconic Monaco street circuit and reveals how fans can create and develop their very own team.

By registering for F1 Online: The Game’s closed beta, players will have the opportunity to give their feedback and shape game features prior to the game’s worldwide launch in Q1 2012. Fans who are accepted into the closed beta also have the opportunity to earn in-game rewards when F1 Online: The Game goes live. Players can register now and see the latest screens and videos from the game at www.F1OnlineTheGame.com. ;

F1 Online: The Game will give players the chance to be the driver and the team boss in a game that combines intuitive top-down racing gameplay with a rewarding management game as players create and manage their own team. Fans will compete in online multiplayer races across a range of game modes, including Grand Prix events and a range of quick-fire challenges and Time Trials. Gamers will be able to track and share their progress via a range of leaderboard and social network features.

Players will have the opportunity to create their own racing team and become immersed in a world of Formula One on a grand scale; choosing their team name, designing a livery and leading the development of a personal franchise. As racer and team boss, they will manage the commercial, research, production and race crew functions required for success on track.

F1 Online: The Game is being developed in house at Codemasters using the Unity game engine to deliver stunning performance in a web browser. Iconic tracks including Silverstone and Spa will be authentically brought to life by using track data and assets taken from the critically acclaimed F1 2011 for high definition consoles and PC Games for Windows Live.

F1 Online: The Game is set to launch in Q1 2012. To register interest, gamers can visit www.F1OnlineTheGame.com.

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“DiRT Showdown is not the sequel to the authentic rally-centric DiRT 3, but a brand new experience from the DiRT team,” said Julian Widdows, VP, development. “We’re building on Codemasters Racing Studio’s world-class strengths in track design, graphics, AI, damage and online to create a new theatre of racing with the emphasis on accessibility and fun from race one.”

“DiRT Showdown charges into the arcade racing space with a uniquely Codemasters feel,” said Mike Chapman, senior games designer.  “Whether players are using nitrous to boost, smashing into their opponents or pulling off stunts, DiRT Showdown’s fresh handling system and super-charged damage engine embed excitement into every event.”

There are three broad categories to DiRT Showdown’s action-sport racing. Players will use nitrous to blast past rivals and negotiate courses filled with ramps, multiple routes and obstacles in full-contact Racing events. Gaming’s most advanced damage engine is unleashed in Demolition Derby themed events where players smash and crash their way to victory in bone-jarring style. Finally, in Hoonigan events, gamers will send fans wild in huge stunt parks where accessible new controls offer every player the chance to become a freestyle driving hero.

From San Francisco to Miami and London to Tokyo, players will dominate their rivals and wow the crowds. Pyrotechnics, lasers and thousands of fans give each venue a sports entertainment atmosphere, becoming the perfect stage for players to perform. Over 50 different events across four championships will challenge gamers in a variety of conditions – sun, snow and rain – through the day and under the floodlights at night.

DiRT Showdown will feature an exciting new line up of off-road machines. Ken Block’s all new Gymkhana FOUR H.F.H.V. Ford Fiesta debuts alongside an eclectic mix of vehicles across a range of classes. From saloons and muscle cars to pick-up-trucks, hearses and vans, players have a wide selection of custom cars to trick, race and destroy.

DiRT Showdown will be Codemasters’ most connected game ever – split-screen multiplayer, eight-player online racing, on and off-line quick-fire party games and YouTube integration all come as standard. Players will also be able to issue ‘Showdown Challenges’ to compete with friends whether they are online or not.

Powered by the award-winning EGO Game Technology Platform, DiRT Showdown will be uncaged May 2012 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

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Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk, a special eggdition of the 1991 eggventure, tumbles today onto iPad (£2.49), iPhone, iPod touch (£1.49) and Android devices (£1.49). To celebrate the return of one of the most speshell videogame characters from over two decades ago, we have also released a new video featuring classic gameplay, new footage of the HD remake and fans’ memories of the hard boiled eggventurer!

Our hero has been locked in a dungeon by Rockwart the Troll on orders from the Evil Wizard Zaks and his girlfriend Daisy is being held in a mysterious castle. Only by tumbling, running and jumping around the magical kingdom of Keldor, collecting, finding and combing items and helping a diverse cast of characters from ‘upset’ Mr Lion to the Grim Reaper himself can Dizzy triumph eggainst all odds.

The iOS and Android editions of Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk are being developed by DNA Interactive, with Paul Ranson, the game’s original project director, heading development. Simple touch screen controls, HD graphics, revamped retro score and classic gameplay are sure to delight eggspectant fans. For all Dizzy information head over to www.DizzyGame.com.

The game will not, unfortunately, be available on speggtrum.

In this mini-documeggtary, Dizzy’s original creators, twin brothers Philip and Andrew Oliver, reminisce and discuss the return of gaming’s iconic egg. Classic and new gameplay footage is featured alongside fans sharing their memories of our tumbling hero and their thoughts on the new remake.

Links to Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk

UK – Tiny URLS

UK iPad http://tinyurl.com/iPadDizzy

UK iPhone http://tinyurl.com/iPhoneDizzy

UK Android http://tinyurl.com/DizzyAndroid

UK – Full URLS

UK iPhone http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dizzy-prince-yolkfolk-iphone/id474181227?mt=8

UK iPad http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dizzy-prince-yolkfolk-ipad/id474182372?ls=1&mt=8

Android https://market.android.com/details?id=com.dnastudios.dizzypoty

For SPAIN, GERMANY, FRANCE URLS , just change the /gb/ in the above URLs for /es/, /de/ and /fr/.

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The new video shows the classic cartoon eggventurer exploring the magical kingdom of Keldor in this faithful remake of Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk. Our hard boiled hero is shown in eggsplosive action as he helps lions, eggs-changes items with the Grim Reaper and, crucially, scares Rockwart the Troll. Using his trademark jumps and tumbles, Dizzy displays eggstraordinary agility as he vaults his way through tree tops, crosses the river Styx and rides platforms through a castle. To help him on his scramble to save the Yolkfolk and rescue his girlfriend Daisy, Dizzy can collect and use items – from matches to axes and buckets of water. It’s all in a day’s work for the fry-hard hero.

The iOS and Android editions of Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk are being developed by DNA Interactive, with Paul Ranson, the game’s original project director, heading development. Simple touch screen controls, HD graphics, revamped retro score and classic gameplay will combine to send egg-static fans oeuf-er the moon.

Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk will be published by Codemasters on “Egg-mergence Day”, Friday 9^th December and will be available from the App Store for iPad and iPhone and from Android Market for Android phones and tablets. For the latest on the game visit www.DizzyGame.com. The new edition of the game will not, unfortunately, be available for Laystation.

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After many years of Dizzy fans’ requests (including an eggsasperating online petition with thousands of signatures) the cartoon eggventurer will be starring in a remake of one of his most popular arcade eggperiences, first published 20 years ago. In this iOS/Android eggdaptation, our hero in a whole shell is back in familiar form, complete with red boxing gloves and his trademark somersaults as he ventures forth in an eggventure packed with collect-and-solve puzzles in a magical cartoon world.

As ever, his friends, the Yolkfolk, are in trouble and need saving from danger. On this occasion, girlfriend Daisy has been trapped in mysterious castle while our hero has been locked in an underground dungeon by Rockwart the troll on orders from Evil Wizard Zaks (boo and hiss).

To save the day, Dizzy must run and tumble around the kingdom of Keldor. On his journey throughout this magical land Dizzy will explore underground caves, leap and bound into tree tops,  cross the River Styx (which strangely seems to run through Keldor) and bounce all the way up to the far away clouds to assist Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates.

On his adventure Dizzy encounters all kinds of characters, from the Grim Reaper to the Troll-terrorising Fluffles, some needing his help, some offering advice and some simply wanting to bite his hands off. By collecting objects and solving puzzles, the assorted cast will help Dizzy in return as he continues on his quest to rescue his beloved Daisy from the castle.

Dizzy’s gaming heritage goes as back to 1987 when he was first created by Philip and Andrew Oliver, known as The Oliver Twins (http://www.olivertwins.com), for the original game Dizzy. Now heading Blitz Games Studios, the Olivers have welcomed Dizzy’s return:
“It always astounds us what a loyal fan base Dizzy still has,” says Philip Oliver. “Even after all these years people remember Dizzy fondly and it’s great to see him return for his older fans and introduce him to a new generation of gamers.”
Adds Andrew Oliver: “Dizzy Prince of the Yolkfolk was one of the most popular Dizzy titles and it’s exciting to see him making his debut iOS and Android for the holidays.”

The iOS and Android editions of Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk are being developed by DNA Interactive, with Paul Ranson, the game’s original project director, heading development.

“20 years on and Dizzy: Prince of the Yolkfolk remains one of the most memorable games in the series for its puzzles and humour and it’s an absolute pleasure to return to the director’s role for this HD edition,” says Paul Ranson, development director, DNA Interactive.
“For once, this is a retro classic that doesn’t require rose-tinted glasses to appreciate its design and gameplay – Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk is simply a great puzzle-solving romp that’s been brought up-to-date with glorious visuals.”

Dizzy: Prince of the Yolk will be published by Codemasters on “Egg-mergence” Friday 9th November and available from the App Store for iPad and iPhone and from Android Market for Android phones and tablets. For the latest on the game visit www.DizzyGame.com. The game will not, unfortunately, be available on Eggsbox.

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The arrival of F1 2011 for the Nintendo 3DS will be the first time that gamers will be able to experience any Formula One game in full 3D. The first gameplay footage of the new handheld version of the award-winning Formula One franchise is available to view below

Developed by Sumo Digital, under Codemasters’ exclusive worldwide agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited, F1 2011 features all the official teams, drivers and circuits – including the new 2011 Formula One Airtel Grand Prix of India at Delhi’s Buddh International Circuit – from the thrilling 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship.

Gamers can compete for motorsport’s ultimate prize across a full season, enter an individual Grand Prix or jump into Time Trial mode. An additional and extensive Challenge mode is perfect for portable racing, with gamers taking on a wide range of objectives including checkpoint, gate and overtaking challenges.

Players can also compete on the go across a range of multiplayer modes. Up to four-players can race in a Grand Prix or go head-to-head in Time Trials while you can also team up with a friend in the two-on-two co-operative career mode. The race experience can be tailored across solo and multiplayer modes by adjusting race distance, tuning the car, choosing from a range of driving aids and selecting tyre, fuel and weather options.

Whether players are looking for a quick Formula One fix or want to build their own career from rookie to FIA Formula One World Driver’s Champion, F1 2011 for Nintendo 3DS immerses players in the world’s fastest sport like never before.

F1 2011 will be available on Nintendo 3DS on 25th November. F1 2011 is also available now for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC Games for Windows, with a PlayStation Vita version also in production.

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• Likes

  • Refined physics engine
  • Online Co-op Championship
  • Smooth online experience
  • Handling is tight
  • Bugs have been ironed out

• Dislikes

  • Nothing really

I think that we’re all in agreement that the previously Sony exclusive versions of the Formula One became bland and half arsed, not following the drive that real Formula One teams have.  So when Codemasters bought the licence and worked every area, adding racing lifestyle as well as a well designed and engineered racing experience on both 360 and PS3 we knew that we had a winner on our hands again.  As much as Formula One 2010 was great, it still had its issues and the multiplayer options were not that well supported.

Cue, Formula One 2011, Codemasters latest iteration of the sport has provided all the upgrades necessary to make this THE only Formula One title worth having.  With the new version of the game also comes with the new rules for the Formula One season that includes the addition of KERS once again and the new DRS rule that has a spectacular affect on the way the car handles.  Driver changes and new decals have also been included as well as serious upgrades in the physics engine, upgraded graphics, new multiplayer and co-operative features to name a few.

For the Formula One officienado, you will immediately notice how much the handling has changed.  The cars seem to have weight to them and handling them is a different beast altogether than from 2010.  The slight adjustments that can be made in the pit have a real relevance to how the car handles and getting it right will bring those times tumbling down.  The whole driving experience now is a lot more refined and feels smoother than before.

Activating KERS at the right points is all about timing.  Understanding its potential could separate you from winning and losing, perfecting as lap time or being a second or so off.  The other new intervention in F1 has been the DRS activation system that in essence allows a car to gain more top speed by opening a flap on the rear wing, reducing drag and downforce.  During the race itself you only have one or two activation zones on straights and you have to be within a second of the car in front to use it.  Being able to pass cars easier makes your life easier and the sport a lot more fun to watch and play with on the harder settings.  During free practice and qualifying the DRS is available anytime you want it and it is here where your main problems lie if you get that flap open too early.  Because of the amount of downforce that is lost during activiation, the car becomes very unstable in corners and you need to judge how skillfully you can get the car around the track utilising the DRS in as many “safe” areas that you can to really optimise its effect.  Get it wrong and you’ll take a trip to the barriers or onto the beach.

One of the biggest alterations to this version of Formula One though has to be the online options and co-operative season mode.  The multiplayer now has 16 player support as well as a whole host of customisations, with a net code that is written to support the whole process smoothly.  Very rarely did I experience any drop in frame rate or lag and after the last iteration of the game, that is to be commended.

Probably the most addictive part of the online experience for me so far is the co-operative season mode which enables you to invite a friend in to experience a full season together, racing for the same team. You both get the full feature set of the career, being able to setup, test through the three practice sessions, qualify and race.  It was extraordinary how addictive this was, with upgrade packages to test for the driver that was performing better over series of races to willing your team mate on in qualifying when you were in the pits after laying down a fast time in the hope you can take the front row of the grid.

For me, if public racing is not your thing or you feel the need to hone your skills then co-operative mode is for you.  You don’t even have to finish the whole thing in one sitting.  The mode will automatically remember who you were running with and send them an automatic invite if they’re around.

Formula One 2011 really has excelled in its presentation, handling physics and online additions.  Codemasters have listened to the rants about pit lane problems and the like from 2010 and really made this the go to title for Formula One racing.  The big feature additions are there.  The upgraded graphics package is plain to see with new shadows and textures and everything being a lot sharper in detail and I can honestly say that visually it is one of the best looking games out there, especially when driving a wet race.  The new additional modes like co-operative as well as the usual modes online and off have been tightened up and are more focussed in their execution.

Sometimes though it is the little things that add more immersion to what is an already quality package.  Opening up the DRS and hearing the wind moving around the car and you is a huge thing for me, you may not hear it through the T.V. but you certainly hear it through a pair of decent headphones like my Turtle Beach PX5 makes you feel that your flying.  Hearing the engineers through your headset telling you who’s doing what on the track, when to pit, any problems that are being picked up etc is invaluable to maintaining that realistic experience.

F1 2011 has to be the best version of a Formula One title ever made.  It caters for every skill level, allows you to feel comfortable in your working paramiters and takes you to the very limit of your driving skill through time in a well packaged, well presented and beautifully reworked version of Codemasters original iteration into the sport.  If you like driving games then F1 2011 is the definitive title in the the racing genre so far.

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F1 2011 is today shipping to stores in North America and will accelerate onto shelves across European and PAL territories on Friday 23rd for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC Games for Windows. The PC edition is also available as a digital download from multiple online services.

To mark the game’s launch, Codemasters has released a new video which shows the world’s fastest sport in glorious slow-motion. Capturing how Codemasters Birmingham has authentically reproduced the unique physics and visual detail from the most advanced racing cars on the planet, the video features key racing moments including dynamically changing weather, the new DRS (Drag Reduction System) in action and the 2011 Safety Car. Watch the Formula One cast of stars, including Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, race wheel-to-wheel and battle the elements in the new trailer now showing below.

F1 2011 will challenge players to ‘be the driver, live the life, go compete’, with wide-ranging technical and gameplay advancements on and off track and vastly extended competitive and co-operative multiplayer components. Players will be able to race against 16 players online plus 8 AI cars to simulate a full 24 car grid, team up with a friend to play through a full season in a new co-op Championship mode or enjoy multiplayer racing from the sofa in split-screen mode.

F1 2011 will feature all of the official teams, drivers and circuits from the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. The 2011 season sees the debut of the 2011 Formula One Airtel Grand Prix of India at Delhi’s Buddh International Circuit and the return of the iconic Nürburgring to the calendar.

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The video features gameplay footage and reveals the all-new Safety Car in action alongside a range of season updates that make the game feel ‘completely different.’ Featuring Senior Producer Paul Jeal and Chief Games Designer Stephen Hood, the new developer diary is shown just below here.

“Safety car – a lot of people have been asking us for it. We’d always said we’d only do it when it was absolutely right, so now it’s available in single player and multiplayer,” said Stephen Hood, Chief Games Designer.

“It’s the wild card in the pack,” added Paul Jeal, Senior Producer. “Maybe you’re out in front, maybe you think you’re out the points, and then this key event comes in. Can you dive into the pits and get a lap advantage on everyone else? You have to keep the distance to the car in front of you and behind, you need to do the weaving sequences to keep your tyres up to temperature”

All of the rule changes from the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship are included to give players the authentic Formula One experience. KERS – Kinetic Energy Recovery System – gives players an acceleration boost to launch out of corners. DRS – Drag Reduction System – adds acceleration for overtaking in specified zones around each circuit and the new Pirelli tires affect performance and handling of the cars on track, changing qualifying and racing strategy. “These three things alone make the game feel completely different,” added Stephen Hood.

F1 2011 will challenge players to ‘be the driver, live the life, go compete’, with wide-ranging technical and gameplay advancements on and off track and vastly extended competitive and co-operative multiplayer components. Players will be able to race against 16 players online plus 8 AI cars to simulate a full 24 car grid, team up with a friend or enjoy multiplayer racing from the sofa in split-screen mode.

F1 2011 will feature all of the official teams, drivers and circuits from the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. The 2011 season also sees the debut of the 2011 Formula One Airtel Grand Prix of India at Delhi’s Buddh International Circuit and the return of the iconic Nürburgring to the calendar.

F1 2011 launches for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC Games For Windows on September 23rd. Bespoke handheld editions of F1 2011 are also in production for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita, each designed to take advantage of the new platforms’ unique capabilities; specific release dates for the handheld editions are to be announced.

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Bodycount was released last Friday and has been reviewed by us here.

In order for you to win a copy all you need to do is answer this question.

Bodycount is the spiritual successor to which game?

Please e-mail your answer along with your name and contact number by the closing date, which is Monday, September 12th, to the following e-mail address – bodycount@mature-gaming.com.  The winner will be notified directly.

Rules

• The competition is open to U.K and EU residents only.
• The minimum age for entries due to the rating on the title is 18 (if you’re under 18, you shouldn’t be here you naughty kids!)
• I.D. checks may be carried out to verify your age and if found to be unsatisfactory you maybe excluded from the competition.
• People with the correct answers will be drawn from a hat at random and contacted within 2 days of the closing date.
• The judges decision is final.
• Any suspected breaking of these rules will result in your entry being disqualified.
• Only one entry per person.
• Mature-gaming.com reserves the right to withdraw the competition at any time.

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