Spanish developer Alcachofa Soft and Crimson Crow have announced a cooperation agreement, one that will see the worldwide release of point-and-click adventure The Abbey sometime next year.

Set in the Middle Ages, the game casts the player in the role of the Grand Inquisitor Leonardo and his assistant Bruno as they uncover the mystery behind a series of mysterious murders at an old abbey. The game will feature a “gripping storyline with many an unexpected twist,” according to the announcement, which also highlights the fact that the game will feature an “innovative presentation of cinematic proportions.”

No specific release period was mentioned, but the game is on for release in 2007.

ArenaNet and NCSoft send word that Guild Wars: Nightfall will be released worldwide on October 27. The companies also revealed details of the Collector’s Edition of the game: it will include a Making of Guild Wars Nightfall behind-the-scenes DVD, a collector’s art book, collectible skill pins, a character mini-standee, a poster-sized map of Elona, the soundtrack and more.

These went gold:

• Bad Day L.A.
  
• Company of Heroes
  
• Dominions 3
  
• Joint Task Force
  
• ParaWorld
  
• Test Drive Unlimited

• Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle
  
• Madden NFL 07
  
• Ninety-Nine Nights (X360)
  
• Victoria: Revolutions

Quite a few big demos:

• Company of Heroes on FileFront, Gameguru Mania and Worthplaying

• El Matador on Cenega, 3D Gamers, Computer Games, FileFront, Gamer’s Hell, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Just Cause on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Computer Games, FileFront, FileNuts, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell, Gameworld Network, GameSpot, Strategy Informer, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Joint Task Force on 3D Gamers, Computer Games, FileFront, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell, Gamespot, Strategy Informer, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Perimeter: Emperor’s Testament on 3D Gamers, 3D Downloads, FileFront, FilePlanet, GameSpot, Strategy Informer, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Stronghold Legends on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, Computer Games, FileFront, Fragland, Gameguru Mania, Gamer’s Hell and Worthplaying

• Rise & Fall: Civilizations at Warv1.15 beta on 3D Gamers, FileFront and Worthplaying

• Ship Sim 2006 “New York” on the Official Website

• Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodline v2.8 on 3D Gamers, Boomtown, FileFront and Worthplaying

• World of Warcraft v1.12.0 on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, FileFront, Gamer’s Hell, GameSpot, VGPRO and Worthplaying

• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War/Winter Assault v1.51 on 3D Downloads, 3D Gamers, FileFront, FileShack, Gamer’s Hell, VGPRO and Worthplaying

This year’s Tokyo Game Show will be an awesome one for PS3 fans, as Sony has released a list of 19 PlayStation 3 titles that will be playable at the Japanese show this September. The company also noted that 8 further PS3 titles will be playable, but haven’t been revealed yet. This brings the total number of playable PS3 titles at the show to 27. Check out the list:

• Armored Core 4
  
• Blade Storm: Hundred Years War
  
• Coded Arms Assault
  
• Devil May Cry 4
  
• The Eye of Judgment
  
• Fatal Inertia
  
• Formula One 06
  
• Genji: Days of the Blade
  
• “Gran Turismo” series
  
• Heavenly Sword
  
• Lair (working title)
  
• Mahjong Taikai IV
  
• Hot Shots Golf 5
  
• Mobile Suit Gundam
  
• MotorStorm
  
• Railfan
  
• Resistance: Fall of Man
  
• Ridge Racer 7
  
• Warhawk

Yes, it seems that pink is the new black these days! Following Sony’s move to pinkify the PS2 and PSP, Nintendo has announced that DS Lite will don the color this Autumn. The new “more vibrant” portable will be available across Europe on October 27.

Nintendo hopes on “brightening up those dull autumn days” with the new Pink DS Lite; it also hopes that the portable will find its home in the “most stylish of bags”. Yes, Nintendo, I’m sure it will be all chic and whatnot with fashionable women and very sensitive men who will have to shell out £100 for the color.

EA has unveiled the next-gen version of FIFA 07, which is now exclusive to the Xbox 360 for a year. The next-gen version will use a dynamic new engine that has been in development for two years and is driven by physics and data. It will offer individuality of player movement, authentic athletic motion and an “unprecedented” level of responsiveness.

The new engine creates a decision-making layer in FIFA 07 that gives each individual player a ‘football brain’ - a level of intelligence never before seen in a videogame. Player characteristics are now based on brand-new traits and twice the number of attributes, so no two players move in exactly the same way. Instead, they behave like the individual athletes we see gracing the pitch week-in, week-out.

FIFA 07 allows players to recognize their favorite athletes by the way they move. The human biomechanics of each athlete are taken into account and replicated in the game because the new engine is data-driven — the player motion is driven by individual attributes, physical characteristics and for the first time, traits.

FIFA 07 also introduces new ball physics, a central component to the feel and finesse of a football game. For the first time, the ball is alive with its own independent physics, resulting in truly unpredictable gameplay. Now any type of pass or shot is possible and goals will feel natural and unique.

Bringing the football experience beyond the videogame to truly deliver a complete media package for football fans is the online component to FIFA 07 which streams up-to-the-minute match results via real-time podcasts and news ticker. Nowhere else will football fans find such a comprehensive destination for football stats, information and real-world news.

With this new engine and licenses from the top leagues around the world, FIFA 07 on the Xbox 360 will create the most refined football gameplay experience to date.

FIFA 07 will hit stores this Fall on the Xbox 360. It will also be released on a multitude of current-gen platforms as well.

Xplosiv has announced Ford Street Racing: LA Duel, a racing game featuring Ford cars only, for the PSP. LA Duel will feature six new tracks exclusive to the handheld, including the Los Angeles River (Downtown), Downtown Railroad, Pacific Parkway (Santa Monica), Venice Riviera (Venice Beach), Hollywood and Sunset Heights (Sunset Boulevard).

The game will feature 24 officially licensed Ford vehicles, with six exclusive to PSP; team racing; 37 total tracks; 6 solo and 11 team race game modes; and Wi-fi multiplayer.

LA Duel is scheduled for release on October 27.

Konami caught up with American Idol’s famous judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson to get their comments about Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol for the PS2. Simon Cowell had this to say: “Over the years American Idol has produced some amazingly talented singers, but let’s be honest most of the people who turn up for the auditions are useless,” adding that the game is a great representation of the show and that players will “know what it’s like to audition in front of me [Cowell].”

“The number one show on television and the top karaoke video game around - wow, this is going to be big time!” said Randy Jackson. “It’s amazing what Konami has accomplished in making this game look and feel like the TV show.”

Karaoke Revolution will let players sing and perform using a USB headset/microphone, as they compete through a virtual recreation of the hit show. As players make their way through the virtual show, the game’s AI will offer feedback - even on a particular part of a performance - affecting the outcome of the competition. Additionally, those with EyeToy cameras can utilize it to put themselves into the game by creating a 3D model of their head, and watch themselves perform on big video screens within the 3D venues.

The game has an extensive list of songs, covering an eclectic variety of genres from R&B to classics from the 60s. Here’s the complete 40 song strong list:

• All My Life
  
• Alone
  
• (There’s) Always Something There To Remind Me
  
• Be Without You
  
• Breakaway
  
• Build Me Up Buttercup
  
• Can’t Help Falling In Love
  
• Crazy Little Thing Called Love
  
• Dilemma
  
• Do I Make You Proud
  
• Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me
  
• Don’t You Want Me
  
• Easy
  
• Every Rose Has Its Thorn
  
• Flying Without Wings
  
• Heartbreaker
  
• Heaven
  
• Hungry Like The Wolf
  
• If You Don’t Know Me By Now
  
• It’s Not Unusual
  
• Just The Way You Are
  
• Let’s Stay Together
  
• Love Will Keep Us Together
  
• More Than Words
  
• Photograph
  
• Piano Man
  
• Proud Mary Rock With You
  
• Saving All My Love ForYou
  
• She Bangs
  
• Stand By Me
  
• Stickwitu
  
• Straight Up
  
• Sugar, We’re Going Down
  
• The Real Thing
  
• Total Eclipse Of The Heart
  
• Unwritten
  
• What A Girl Wants
  
• You And Me
  
• You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling

Microsoft, as part of its Leipzig presence, also announced several new products to enhance its gaming line - the Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 and the Habu mouse in partnership with Razer.

Popular demand has lead to the resurrection of the IntelliMouse. In this new version, the mouse will deliver “maximum precision and superior control” as well as “ergonomic design and wide footprint” for “outstanding comfort and stability”. The mouse will offer 9,000 frames per second; a Precision Booster enabling gamers to switch between default and precision mode for enhanced control; and a Gaming Toggle letting gamers switch easily between weapons or program frequently used action sequences. The new IntelliMouse will be gnawing its way into stores this October; it will retail for £35.

The curiously named Habu is the result of Microsoft’s alliance with Razer. The new mouse will feature “cutting-edge innovation and comfort” and “best-in-class gaming accessory technology.” Habu will be habuing into stores this October for £60.

During Leipzig, Microsoft made the surprise announcement that it has gotten Xbox 360 exclusivity for FIFA 07 and Pro Evolution Soccer 6. Basically, these two titles will be exclusive to the Microsoft console for a year before appearing on other next-gen consoles.

The company also announced that Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy and Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania will join the growing list of Windows Vista titles. Both are due for release next year when Vista and DirectX 10 will be readily available.

On the accessories front, Microsoft stated that the Xbox Live Vision camera for the Xbox 360 will be available in US and UK on September 19 and October 6, respectively, in two packages:

Xbox Live Vision. This package includes Xbox Live Vision camera, one-month Xbox Live Gold Membership, Xbox 360 Headset, and free* downloads of two full-version Xbox Live Arcade games: the popular “UNO®” card game and “TotemBall,” the new 3-D platform game from Freeverse and Strange Flavour Ltd. that is a mixture of platform skills and puzzles (estimated retail price (ERP) $39.99 U.S./ €49.99).

Xbox Live Video Chat Gold Kit. This package includes the Xbox Live Vision camera, a 12-month Xbox Live Gold Membership, an Xbox 360 Headset, free* downloads of three full-version Xbox Live Arcade games - the “UNO” card game, “TotemBall,” and the classic “Robotron™” action shooter - and 200 Microsoft Points (ERP $79.99 U.S./€89.99).

The company also announced the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($150, available in November), Xbox 360 Wireless Headset ($60, available in November), Xbox 360 Wireless Gaming Receiver for Windows ($20, available late December) and new Xbox 360 Faceplates featuring images from Halo, Viva Pinata and Forza Motorsport ($20, available late December).

Microsoft also revealed that it will launch the next-gen console in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia on November 3, following the South African launch on September 29.

The Battlefield 2142 website carries details of a “veteran’s program” for the game, giving perks to those who pre-order the upcoming entry in the venerable multiplayer shooter series.

Players who pre-order the game from GameStop or EBGames will receive an instant promotion the first time they log on to the game; they’ll get immediate access to unlocks including the shotgun add-on for the assault rifle, and more. Those players will also be marked as veterans and will be indicated via an on-screen indicator of their status. There’s more to it, so check out the site for details.

Nintendo also announced Yoshi’s Island for the DS, which will launch on December 1 across Europe. Details:

Yoshi’s Island 2 (temp) is the long awaited and official sequel to Yoshi’s Island, the hugely popular classic, first released on the SNES in 1996. Players return to the colourful wilds of Yoshi’s Island in this 2D platform adventure and are taken on an exciting journey of ultimate Nintendo fun. When local children are kidnapped from his island, it is up to our hero, with the help of Baby Mario, Baby Peach and the cute Baby Donkey Kong, to come to the rescue. But whilst on his quest, Yoshi must also protect the three babies from the island’s villains by swallowing enemies or shooting eggs.

All three superstar babies can help Yoshi in his quest to save the school children. With Baby Mario on his back, Yoshi can run much faster and avoid falling platforms. Baby Princess Peach adds more than just a delicate touch - her umbrella is not just a fashion accessory but allows Yoshi to float among the clouds and reach higher levels. Baby Donkey Kong will always swing into action when needed, reaching places other characters can’t.

But the challenge doesn’t stop with just protecting and rescuing babies. Each level contains a whole host of hidden unlockables and secrets to be found by the intrepid explorer. Players can achieve a higher score by finding three well hidden flowers and stars per stage and along with finding new levels and rare red coins, there’s a whole lot more to be discovered. The vast worlds of Yoshi’s Island 2 (temp) fully span across the dual screen of the Nintendo DS, with the adventure taking place from deep within the dangerous caves to floating up high into the sky. It’s Yoshi’s ultimate adventure so far!

The game’s retail price will be around £30.

The first in a string of Nintendo announcements, the company sent word of Sudoku Master for the DS. The puzzle title will feature a compilation of more than 400 Sudoku puzzles and will allow the user to play at any time. It will hit Europe on October 27.

Sudoku Master is the ultimate collection of more than 400 Sudoku puzzles and allows you to play a different game at any time!. If you haven’t played it before, the rules are fairly simple. The aim of the numerical logic-based puzzle is to enter a number ranging from one to nine in each cell of a nine by nine grid, made up of nine three by three sub-grids. Each puzzle starts off with some numbers already provided in a few cells - these are the hints. As the puzzles increase in difficulty, players find the number of hints given decreases. It is then up to the player to make sure that each row, column and three by three sub-grids have only one instance of each number. Sudoku Master requires patience and lots of lateral thinking ability to complete it successfully!

Sudoku Master contains three difficulty settings so every player will find puzzles to suit them. Solving time varies from player to player; depending on their skill and experience a puzzle can take anywhere between 10 - 30 minutes to complete. For those new to Sudoku, the game offers a practice mode where numbers that are incorrectly entered automatically turn red, thus telling players that they have entered the wrong number. On top of this, there is also a thorough tutorial explaining the rules as well as offering some helpful tips along the way.

By using the Nintendo DS touch screen players have two methods for entering the numbers into the cells; either by writing them in or by selecting the appropriate number by touching the keys on a number pad. Sudoku Master also contains many helpful features to aid the player. Players can highlight entire rows or columns, making it possible to keep an overview of where the numbers are on the grid. It is also possible to highlight all instances of the same number at once, and to store notes (in a smaller font size) inside the grid to keep track of the problem’s structure. All provide a useful edge for solving complex puzzles.

When players successfully solve puzzles they also earn stars. The faster a problem is solved the greater the number of stars received. When enough stars have been collected, players gain access to Rank Mode. Here they are challenged to complete puzzles in a set period of time and awarded a rank. The faster the challenge is completed, the higher the rank received.

The game will retail for around £20 once released.