Players can choose their party of four. There are four different classes to choose from all with varying abilities. Once the perfect team has been assembled, players set off to rid their beautiful homeland of the monsters. The battles are turn based and use the abilities of the party members. The controls are all touch based.

“After years of working on best-selling console games, we formed our own studio so we could bring our expertise of AAA games development to iPhone gaming and make the best of the two worlds meet,” says Emeric Thoa, The Game Bakers’ CCO and co-founder. “SQUIDS has the depth hardcore gamers are looking for, along with the accessibility casual gamers expect on the iPhone or iPod touch. From the funny characters to the adventurous story to all of the tactical possibilities, SQUIDS offers something for all types of players.”

If you like adventure games, head over to the Apple App Store and get yourself a copy of SQUIDS. The game costs 99 cents.

Press Release Follows:

PARIS – October 11, 2011 – The Game Bakers, an independent video game studio founded by industry veterans, is pleased to announce the release of their debut game, SQUIDS. Now available for iPhone and iPod touch, SQUIDS sells for $0.99 on the App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/app/squids/id467904350

Developed by a team that has years of experience working on AAA console games, SQUIDS combines RPG elements and tactical gameplay with convenient touch controls, gorgeous graphics, and an epic adventure storyline. An infectious black ooze is threatening the Squids’ lush underwater world, turning ordinary crustaceans into dangerous monsters. Now it’s up to a ragtag team of Squid heroes to fend off the corrupted hordes and protect their peaceful homeland from certain destruction.

The game’s heroes may be stretchy and springy, cute and colorful, but there’s also plenty of gameplay behind this fun facade. Choose your heroes among four classes, each with unique abilities and attacks, to build the perfect party. Then lead your team into turn-based battles against the infected crabs and shrimp. Use each Squid’s strengths, the environment, and enemies’ weaknesses to devise strategic attacks. Level up your Squids and customize your party with skill-boosting helmets. The game’s touch controls are easy to master: simply grab a Squid by the tentacles and fling it across the battlefield!

“After years of working on best-selling console games, we formed our own studio so we could bring our expertise of AAA games development to iPhone gaming and make the best of the two worlds meet,” says Emeric Thoa, The Game Bakers’ CCO and co-founder. “SQUIDS has the depth hardcore gamers are looking for, along with the accessibility casual gamers expect on the iPhone or iPod touch. From the funny characters to the adventurous story to all of the tactical possibilities, SQUIDS offers something for all types of players.”

SQUIDS is also coming soon to iPad (HD), Android, PC, and Mac. To learn more about SQUIDS, visit the website at http://squidsthegame.com or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SquidsTheGame.

One of the nice things is that the developers of the game, Superbrothers, won’t penalize iPad owners: if they already own Sword and Sworcery, they can get the iPhone version free.

“The S:S&S EP project began life on the smaller touchtronic machines so many of the key art & design decisions were made with this very particular form factor in mind,” explains the group.

“While the size of the iPad is certainly a treat for S:S&S EP, the tiny machine is definitely ‘the way it was meant to be’ – it’s an entire little world you can slip into your pocket at any time. In many many ways this is the most significant launch for the project & it is also something of a homecoming.”

Check out the iPad trailer below.

Players have to attempt to beat dozens of enemies and new bosses. There are five different game modes Story, Endless, Endless 2-player, Pet Protector and Boss Rush Mode that players can choose from, if they buy the full version of the game. There is a Story mode version of the game available, which is cheaper in price, but only contains the story mode game play and no other modes of play. In the full version of the game, players have the option to play two player. Princess makes an appearance in the game and is a playable character for a second player.

“With the first two iterations of the series getting over 2 million plays on Flash,” said Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing at Namco, “we decided to make the addictive new chapter accessible to several million other people on their preferred connected devices.”

The full version can be purchased on iPhone (Every Honour – Bundle Pack) and PC for $4.99 and $6.99 respectively.  The Story Mode is available for iPhone for $3.99, but does not include the four extra Game Modes.

Press Release Follows:

SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept 23, 2010 – Namco Networks, a leading publisher and developer of interactive content, today launched Knightfall: Death and Taxes on iPhone and PC.  Developed by Megadev Games, both versions of the game are available now for a free trial.
In the newest iteration in the series, the gameplay stays true to the puzzle matching, role-playing (RPG) elements for which Knightfall is known.  Five Game Modes are available to choose from including Story, Endless, Endless 2-player, Pet Protector and Boss Rush Mode.  Through over 100 stages in Story Mode, the player maneuvers the characters around the board by rotating the entire play area and drilling away groups of blocks.
By vanquishing dozens of fearsome foes and new bosses to earn gold, players can purchase character upgrades and helpful items in the village shops.  This is the first Knightfall title to include Princess, Knight’s wife, as a second playable character.  Choosing either Knight or Princess allows for varied gameplay as they have widely different abilities and attacking styles.

“With the first two iterations of the series getting over 2 million plays on Flash,” said Carlson Choi, vice president of marketing at Namco, “we decided to make the addictive new chapter accessible to several million other people on their preferred connected devices.”

The full version can be purchased on iPhone (Every Honour – Bundle Pack) and PC for $4.99 and $6.99 respectively.  The Story Mode is available for iPhone for $3.99, but does not include the four extra Game Modes.  Free trials of the Flash PC version can be found in the Online Games section at namcogames.com.  For more information on Namco’s library of games, please visit www.namcogames.com or NAMCO GAMES on Facebook.

Sale prices:

• * Ecco the Dolphin for $0.99
• * Golden Axe for $0.99
• * Phantasy Star II for $2.99
• * Shining Force for $0.99
• * Sonic the Hedgehog for $2.99
• * Sonic the Hedgehog 2 for $2.99
• * Streets of Rage for $0.99
• * Super Monkey Ball 1 for $1.99
• * Super Monkey Ball 2 for $2.99
• * Super Monkey Ball 2: Sakura Edition (iPad) for $3.99

Let us know if you pick any of these titles up.

Players go behind the scenes as factory machines, aided by a compelling mini-game, create an assortment of delectable confections, unlocking the Baumeister’s secret family recipes from Dark Chocolate Ginger Infusions to Cacao Lime Balls. Then, players decorate and manage their shoppe for the ultimate opulent chocolate experience. With the help of friends, everyone can taste their way to a grand chocolate empire.

The game also coincides with a survey which Playfirst co-sponsored with Frank N. Magid Associates titled “Magid Media Futures 2010 Social Media and Consumers”. The survey notes that “all regular social network users 18 years and older regularly play social network games, and 58% of these players are women.” Not so coincidentally, Chocolatier has had the same demographic since its debut in 2007.

Players interested in Chocolatier: Sweet Society can find it on Facebook here.

PlayFirst Unites Women, Chocolate, and Facebook Gaming with Chocolatier: Sweet Society

Popular Chocolate Shoppe Management Game’s Arrival on Social Networking Platform Coincides with ‘Perfect Storm’ of Audience Size, Interest, and Love of Chocolate

SAN FRANCISCO – July 19, 2010 – PlayFirst® Inc., a leading publisher of emotionally engaging interactive entertainment, today announces the launch of its first major foray into social gaming with Chocolatier®: Sweet Society on Facebook. The launch coincides with the release of a survey PlayFirst sponsored with Frank N. Magid Associates titled “Magid Media Futures 2010 Social Media and Consumers” that corroborates the very favorable timing for bringing one of PlayFirst’s premier franchises to Facebook. Thirty-eight percent of all regular social network users 18 years and older regularly play social network games, and 58% of these players are women, matching the Chocolatier franchise’s audience perfectly.

Chocolatier was originally released in 2007 for the Windows and Macintosh operating systems, and introduced players to the fictional world of the Baumeister family. Chocolatier: Sweet Society is set in 1882, the same timeframe as the original game, bringing a unique art style to the Facebook platform.

Designed to create an authentic Facebook experience, Chocolatier: Sweet Society brings three major innovations to the heralded franchise: dual destination gameplay with both a shoppe and a factory to manage, “lickable art” that provides a sumptuous display of mouthwatering chocolates, and social elements that bring players together. Players go behind the scenes as factory machines, aided by a compelling mini-game, create an assortment of delectable confections, unlocking the Baumeister’s secret family recipes from Dark Chocolate Ginger Infusions to Cacao Lime Balls. Then, players decorate and manage their shoppe for the ultimate opulent chocolate experience. With the help of friends, everyone can taste their way to a grand chocolate empire.

“Our goal with Chocolatier: Sweet Society was to take a franchise millions of players love and bring it to Facebook in a way that is authentic and compelling to both the brand and the social platform,” said Mari Baker, CEO of PlayFirst. “In limited release, we’ve already reached over a quarter million players and we’re confident this game will please the sweet tooth of Facebook gamers everywhere.”

“The chocolate theme of Chocolatier: Sweet Society should resonate well with consumers,” says Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors. “Seven in 10 social gamers responded in our survey that the ‘theme’ of a game is a deciding factor when choosing a game and since chocolate is far and away America’s favorite flavor, this bodes well for Chocolatier: Sweet Society as it lets players enjoy all the chocolate they want with no calories.”

Baker will introduce Chocolatier: Sweet Society in her speech “The Business of Building Enduring Brands” at Casual Connect in Seattle on July 21st. In her talk, after which she will be available for interviews, she will also unveil new and pertinent market research to show how transitions in the game industry drive brand development from a business perspective.

To play Chocolatier: Sweet Society, please visit http://apps.facebook.com/chocolatier/.

About PlayFirst
PlayFirst, a leading publisher of emotionally engaging interactive entertainment, is committed to providing compelling experiences that always delight customers. By creating engaging story worlds that capture the imagination, PlayFirst teams publish quality gaming experiences across popular platforms worldwide including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Facebook, and consoles. The company’s game portfolio includes world-renowned titles, such as Diner Dash®, Wedding Dash®, Cooking Dash®, Chocolatier®, and Dream Chronicles®. PlayFirst games are available in major retailers and on more than 500 sites in 20 languages. For more information, visit www.playfirst.com.

D3 has issued a press release announcing Puzzle Quest 2 will be hitting Xbox Live Arcade and the Nintendo DS in the Spring of 2010.

Puzzle Quest 2 features its hallmark blend of match-3 gem matching and fantasy, with a simple but meaningful role playing experience where players can choose any of four character classes; War Mage, Inquisitor, Barbarian or Assassin. Each character class provides interesting twists during multiple play-throughs as players reclaim the once peaceful village of Verloren from the evil clutch of the demon Gorgon. Players will be able to level up each character to progress through the adventure in Story Mode or even dive into Instant Action, Tournament Mode, or Mutliplayer Mode for a rich and diverse experience. With the entire Puzzle Quest world accessible on your fingertips in real-time action, players will be able to get a more streamlined experience for instant gratification.

Having seen the article in GamePro, players will be surprised by the overland exploration, which now utilizes a 3D isometric map. If you love Bejeweled Twist, this will be a win. Let us know if you’re hot for Puzzle Quest 2.

Be Victorious with Puzzle Quest 2 Coming Spring 2010

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Put yourself closer to the action with a more intimate viewpoint of the gem-studded match-3 video game Puzzle Quest 2, announced today for Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Nintendo DS™. Puzzle Quest 2 combines its trademark style with an enhanced real-time experience using all-new weapons, spells, and shields that make every decision meaningful and never passive in the deepest puzzle adventure yet. Named one of GamePro’s “Top Upcoming Sequels of 2010,” Puzzle Quest 2 is scheduled for release in spring 2010 from D3Publisher.

“Puzzle Quest is an award winning franchise with numerous accolades including an Interactive Achievement Award for “Best Downloadable Game of the Year” for Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords,” said Peter Andrew, vice president of product development, D3P. “Puzzle Quest 2 returns with a captivating, rewarding, and accessible journey for gamers of all levels as the ultimate delivery system for the mental release puzzle gamers seek.”

Puzzle Quest 2 features its hallmark blend of match-3 gem matching and fantasy, with a simple but meaningful role playing experience where players can choose any of four character classes; War Mage, Inquisitor, Barbarian or Assassin. Each character class provides interesting twists during multiple play-throughs as players reclaim the once peaceful village of Verloren from the evil clutch of the demon Gorgon. Players will be able to level up each character to progress through the adventure in Story Mode or even dive into Instant Action, Tournament Mode, or Mutliplayer Mode for a rich and diverse experience. With the entire Puzzle Quest world accessible on your fingertips in real-time action, players will be able to get a more streamlined experience for instant gratification.

Puzzle Quest 2 is under development by Infinite Interactive and is currently rated “RP” (Rating Pending) by the ESRB. For more information on the upcoming video game, please go to the Web site at http://www.d3publisher.us/.

About D3Publisher

D3Publisher, a subsidiary of D3, Inc., is a video game publisher for Wii™, Nintendo DS™, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. D3Publisher has operations in the U.S., U.K., and Japan. The company also owns development studio Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., and its technology platform, Vicious Engine®. For more information about D3Publisher, please visit: www.d3publisher.us.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Three Musketeers: The Game takes players on the adventure through duels with enemies, chances to gather loot and even shoot muskets as they progress through the story line. The game focuses on d’Artagnan’s adventure with Athos, Porthos, and Aramis, the famous musketeers. The main story focuses on saving the Queen’s honor. Cardinal Richelieu, the most powerful man in France has decided to disgrace the Queen and the musketeers will not let that happen.

The game features an old school top-down perspective with hand drawn 2d graphics. There are not many new games that use the old top-down perspective so there will be a feel of an old school game when playing this title. If you like the Three Musketeers story and adventure games, check out Three Musketeers: The Game.

Press Release Follows:

October 16th, 2009 – (Vancouver, Canada) Dingo Games, www.dingogames.com, has announced the release of their swashbuckling adventure The Three Musketeers: The Game for Windows and Mac. Available exclusively online, the game closely follows the plot of the original Three Musketeers novel. Players take control of the young gentleman d’Artagnan as he sets off for Paris in hopes of becoming a Musketeer.

Created by independent developer Dingo Games, the game features an old school top-down perspective with hand drawn 2d graphics. Players duel enemies, gather loot, and fire muskets as they make their way through the main story. The setting of 17th France, which is uncommon in games, creates a unique gaming experience. Minigames and sidequests are specific to the setting – in one sidequest players help the inventor of the flintlock musket.

The story focuses on d’Artagnan’s adventures with the famous three Musketeers: Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Cardinal Richelieu, the most powerful man in France, launches a plot to disgrace the queen and it’s up to d’Artagnan and his three friends to save her honor. Later in the game, the beautiful but deadly Milady de Winter becomes the chief concern of the four comrades.

It took 165 years, but this classic tale has finally been faithfully adapted into a video game. There is a free demo available for Windows and Mac. For more information on The Three Musketeers: The Game go to www.dingogames.com/three-musketeers-game/

All for one and one for all!

We have some big plans for Journeys. The first piece that we are currently building is a 3 chapter, single player, tactical rpg delivered in Flash. Right now we’re hard at work finishing the first chapter, Dragon Age Journeys: The Deep Roads. The game will introduce you to the dwarven city of Orzammar and the Deep Roads surrounding it where the dwarves face a persistent threat from the darkspawn hordes.

The flash game will serve as a prequel to Origins. There is no release date yet for The Deep Roads, but it looks like a fantastic way to play Dragon Age on the go, with some Heroes of Might & Magic-style gameplay.

Let us know what you think.

(Thanks, Digital Battle.)

Rise & Ruin is attempting to take the trading card game genre to a new level. The decks in this game are used to aid the main avatar. Players can level up the avatar to their liking and then use the cards to pick powerful attack, defense, magic, and specialty cards. Players are able to play the game for free and have the option to buy the in-game currency to purchase more cards and additional content.

Rise & Ruin sounds like an interesting take on the trading card game genre. Card-based games can be fun and there are a few that use the free to play model and then make money off of microtransactions. If this game sounds like something you would like to check out, head over to Rise & Ruin and sign up to play.

Press Release Follows:

TORONTO, CANADA – (July 23, 2009) – Veil Entertainment and Spore Productions are pleased to
announce the Open Beta of Rise & Ruin, an online, card-based, fantasy combat game ready to play
through PC web browsers.

Rise & Ruin is an entirely new twist on the trading card game (TCG) genre.  Players level up their own
ideal avatar while assembling decks from an ever-growing pool of powerful attack, defense, magic,
and specialty cards.  Thrilling, cinematic 3D battles take place directly in a web browser allowing for
fast and accessible game play.

“We’re excited to get the Open Beta launched,” says Geoffrey MacDougall, CEO of Veil
Entertainment.  “We’ve worked hard to build an experience that combines the best of our favourite
genres to provide character-driven, fast-paced game play.  The guys on our live team are also eager
to start implementing the storyline and tournaments they’ve developed over the last several months.”

“Now that we’re in open beta the team can start to focus on polish, reacting to the player experience,and implementing new features, ” says Joe Wagner, R&R’s Community Manager. “It’s great to be live.”

Rise & Ruin gives players the unrestrictive option to play for free, for as long as they wish, with
opportunities to win additional cards through community events.  Similar to other TCGs, players can
purchase credits to acquire new cards and access additional perks and content within the game.

Players can be part of the Light, Darkness, and Chaos factions. Players have to pick a faction before they can fight on the Faction War Battlefield. The battlefield pits all of three of the different factions against each other in to capture Fortresses around the map. There can be up to thirty players from each faction for a total of ninety players battling it out. Currently, there is only one map, but there are plans to add more maps.

If you are into PvP style of game play, check out the latest addition to the Asda Story.

Press Release Follows:

San Jose, Calif. (June 10, 2009) – San Jose-based online game
publisher, Gamescampus.com (www.gamescampus.com, run by OnNet USA),
announced today that it has launched the new
Faction Warfare Player Vs. Player (PvP) combat system in its popular
MMORPG, Asda Story http://asdastory.gamescampus.com/.

As part of the new system, players may select from one of the following
Factions which will serve as their character’s PvP allegiance against
other players’ Factions in the weeks to come:  Light, Darkness, and
Chaos. After players have selected which Faction they would like to
fight for, they may apply for scheduled Faction War Battlefield
matches that pit the three opposing Factions against one another in a
fight to capture Fortresses around a special Battlefield Map, with
additional warfare maps to follow soon.
Up to 30 players from each Faction may join in the fight, with up to 90
players mixing it up in intense combat at one time.

As each Battlefield fills, new ones will open to accommodate every
player that wishes to participate in the fighting.  Faction teams are
balanced for each Battlefield based on level and number of players
participating to ensure even, heart pounding fights every time.  Split
into Attack Units with Attack Captains leading their troops into the
field, players are able to gain Warfare Points both by defeating
players of the other Factions in direct combat, or capturing
Fortresses owned by the other Factions located around the map.

The more players fight and compete in the Faction Wars, the more
Experience, Honor Points, and Honor Coins they will receive towards
special Faction Warfare items and gear that is not available anywhere
else in the game.  In addition, they will gain PvP Rankings to unlock
access to even better and more powerful items.

Based on a colorful, bright and cheerful world, Asda Story is a free to
play exciting fantasy-style anime 3D MMORPG game that features a
unique ‘Soul Mate System.’  The unique party system offers two players
the ability to align to become ‘soul mates’ in-game and grants them
access to unique perks and the ability to activate special powers
together with their Soul Mate. Another key feature of the game is the
‘Real Costume System,’ which gives players some of the most extensive
personalization and design options ever seen in an MMORPG.