Tina Wood

Zine: A new facebook application

Tina Wood — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:43:00 GMT

Zine is your own online magaZINE of articles and videos that you personalize to include the topics you care about. Zine makes it easy to dig deeper into stories that interest you, and to share stories with your Facebook friends. Keep up to date with Zine!

• Zine, powered by MSN, covers a variety of fun topics such as Entertainment, Relationships, Sports, as well as US News and more.

• You can also create specific topics that you want the latest news stories for. Add a topic for your favorite celebrity, your favorite sports team, events, or anything that interest you. Examples are Mariah Carey, Seattle Mariners, Olympics, and US Stock Market.

• If you want to explore a story further, click the search button next to the headline. You’ll get articles, web sites, videos, and images related to your story.

• Easily share any story with your friends or post it to your profile using the Share+ button.

A look back at my life with Bill Gates

Tina Wood — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:32:00 GMT

So my boss, Bill Gates is officially gone. Not like, gone, gone. But he won't be in the office everyday anymore. He has taken on another ambitious and important project and has chosen to spend more time on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Bill and I always got along great. I think he really enjoyed working with me.

Rock Band 2 coming this September

Tina Wood — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:28:00 GMT

Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company in the world, and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts are taking the groundbreaking music platform that forever changed the face of music video games to the next level this September with the release of Rock Band 2. With the original providing millions of players a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 is the next evolution of the franchise that redefined the standard for music games.

Rock Band is the groundbreaking platform that allows music fans and gamers to interact with music like never before - challenging players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune while learning to master lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals.

Rock Band 2 builds upon its foundation as the first music game to introduce co-operative band gameplay, multiple instruments, a robust online multiplayer experience, an unrivaled offering of downloadable content and raises the bar by delivering an entirely new level of depth, connectivity, authenticity and features including:

Backwards compatibility with Rock Band downloadable music content. All previously purchased tracks will immediately load into your Rock Band 2 song list. No need to re-purchase or re-download.
The biggest and most diverse soundtrack ever featuring some of rock’s most prolific acts, comprised entirely of master recordings.
Major new and dynamic online modes that will connect the entire Rock Band community in more ways than ever before both locally and globally.
More variety of instrument choices than ever before with new and improved drum and guitar peripherals, enhanced functionality and innovative new designs - all fully compatible with the original Rock Band instruments.
And much more.

"As successful as the original Rock Band continues to be, we've now had the benefit of the last eight months to listen to our fans' requests and to build upon that foundation," said Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix. "Rock Band 2 is a second-generation band game that will elevate the music game experience to the next level."

Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year.

“We expect Rock Band 2 to continue to drive an amazing social music experience on Xbox 360, said David Hufford, senior director, Xbox Product Management for the Interactive Entertainment Business, Microsoft. “We look forward to supporting Rock Band 2 on Xbox 360 as gamers continue to download hundreds of new music tracks from Xbox LIVE so they and their friends can perform the rock music they love most.

More details regarding features and music for Rock Band 2 will be revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit. Rock Band, the first installment in the franchise, garnered more than 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007.

In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 15 million paid downloads since the game’s launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.

Rock Band 2 is rated “T” for Teen (lyrics, mild suggestive themes) by the ESRB.

For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit www.rockband.com and www.harmonixmusic.com.

New Saints Row 2 Screenshot

Tina Wood — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:29:00 GMT

Okay, let's all admit when the original Saints Row game was released back in 06...it was Hello, GTA Rip-off. Then, most of us played it and we were pleasantly surprised. It was the first open-world sandbox game for the next gen consoles. Well, Saints Row 2 is slated to come to the Xbox 360 later this year and the story lines takes place a few years after the original and of course we're back in Stillwater and we still have some anger issues. And fellas, you can play as a lady in this one. Don't worry, it will be our little secret.

Composer, songwriter, sound designer, producer, musical director, and performer: PatrickPennefather

Tina Wood — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:45:00 GMT

Composer, songwriter, sound designer, producer, musical director, and performer in almost any genre of music imaginable, for over two hundred live and digital media productions in the past 20 years, Patrick Pennefather(BFA,MFA) is a faculty member and sound integration specialist @ the Masters of Digital Media University in Vancouver. Also, as composer in residence and adjunct professor of Sound Design in the Theatre, Film and Creative Writing Department at the University of British Columbia, his mission is to teach up and coming digital media producers the value of integrating music and sound in all stages of production.

A multi-award winning composer, his compositions, musicals, songs, sfx, underscores, and jingles have been heard in short and long form productions for clients such as: CBC Radio, Bravo Television, Palmer Jarvis/DDB, RMCC, Cathay Pacific, McDonald's Special Events, UBC, Florida and California State U, Amnesty International, Virtual Stage, Vancouver Playhouse, Touchstone Theatre, Electric Company Theatre, Vancouver Theatre Sports League, and the Vancouver International Comedy Festival.

Patrick and I sit down for a little chat about music and his career.

Limited Galactic Edition announced for Spore

Tina Wood — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:43:00 GMT

We don't get our hands on Spore until September but Maxis and EA today announced the limited Galactic Edition of the highly anticipated game from the creators of The Sims™. This special box will contain the 'Making of Spore' DVD, “How to Build a Better Being” DVD from the National Geographic Channel, (NGC) ‘The Art of Spore’ hardback minibook, a foldout Spore poster, and a premium 100 page Galactic Handbook.

“The Spore Galactic Edition is the ultimate backstage pass for the Spore universe,” said Patrick Buechner, vice president of marketing, Maxis. “The Spore Galactic Edition is an incredible collection of art, video and behind the scenes access to the development team for fans, along with some of the coolest, most collectable packaging in years. ”Spore gives players their own personal universe in a box".

Create and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and explore a universe filled with creations made by other gamers. Spore gives players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even UFOs.

In North America, the MSRP for the Galactic Edition of Spore will be $79.99 while the regular edition is suggested at $49.99. Versions of Spore will ship for the PC, Mac, Nintendo DS™ and mobile phones on September 5, 2008 in Europe and September 7, 2008 in North America and Asia. “How to Build a Better Being” premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10 PM ET/PT on NGC and explores the science behind the theories of the game.

Fans can visit www.Spore.com to download a free version of the Spore Creature Creator, sign up for the Spore newsletter or check out allnew screenshots and video of the game.

If you get a chance check out Laura's interview with the man behind Spore Will Wright.

NBA Live Chooses 2009 Cover Athlete

Tina Wood — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:24:00 GMT

We know the curse of being the cover boy for Madden but gracing the cover of NBA Live hasn't proven to be such a BAD career move. The cover athlete and spokesman for NBA Live in the UK is Chicago Bulls forward - Luol Deng. Deng, raised in the UK from 1993, has played in the NBA for three years and is a vital part of the Great Britain national team. This is the first time the UK has worked with a local athlete and highlights the continued growth of the NBA in Europe.

Deng is joined by some of the NBA’s biggest international stars on packaging around the world, including Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol (Spain) and Toronto Raptors Andrea Bargnani (Italy).

For the TOP SPOT San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker will be the cover athlete and spokesman for NBA LIVE 09 globally. In his seven NBA seasons, the 26 year old is a two-time NBA All-Star, has three NBA championships and was named the 2007 NBA Finals MVP. Parker will be the first European born (France) global cover athlete of NBA LIVE. Off the court, Parker is an avid gamer and won an NBA LIVE 08 tournament against fellow NBA stars at the EA SPORTS All-Star Challenge last February in New Orleans.

NBA LIVE 09 is back with new features like Pick and Roll Control, Defensive Lockdown Control, Signature Playcalling and Quickstrike Ankle-Breakers that will make the NBA LIVE experience fun from beginning to end. For those in need of some extra coaching, NBA LIVE 09 takes you to training camp with the NBA Academy that gives you a chance to hone your skills.

Now featuring 24 authentic FIBA teams with realistic team play styles and rosters, NBA LIVE 09 features a FIBA World Championship Mode using FIBA tournament structure, rules and court dimensions. Take your game online with 5 vs.5 team play, where 10 people can play together on 10 different consoles around the world.

NBA Live 09 is coming to the Xbox 360 this October.

Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm available June 25th

Tina Wood — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:05:00 GMT

Sega brings us Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm which is available for download on June 25th for PC and Xbox LIVE Arcade.

The cute, cuddly Happy Tree Friends meet with one horrible, twisted disaster after another and only their friend Lumpy can save them! Armed with a helicopter pack, Lumpy hurls flaming napalm or explosive nitro to blow open areas where his friends may be trapped, or puts them into a deep freeze if they're about to walk into danger, and that's just the beginning. The creators of the popular TV series deliver all the gory yet comedic action the series is best known for in 10 exclusive disaster-filled scenarios, each with three frantic levels and all-new Happy Tree Friends video content. Help save the accident-prone friends from ultimate disaster!

X-Blades Anime Artwork Contest

Tina Wood — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:45:00 GMT

Here's another chance for you artists to win a little extra cash and have your artwork noticed from an Xbox 360 and PC title

"X-Blades", the Anime Action Spectacular, really electrifies fans of Far Eastern artwork! At the beginning of the year, an artwork contest for the multi-platform game was hosted by the game's publishers, TopWare Interactive Inc. The central theme of the contest was the heroine Ayumi - and the feedback was so positive that TopWare just had to launch another contest for you artists out there!

All Ayumi illustrations received by 31st August will be judged by a jury of specialists - and the winner will receive 3,000 US Dollars, the second best picture will receive $2,000 and even the third-placed artist will get 1,000 dollars pocket money! PLUS, 20 game packages valued at 200 dollars each are also up for grabs!

The most creative illustrators among you will also get their share of fame... because the Royal Edition of "X-Blades" is equipped with a high-grade artbook - and your best entries will be added to the top-quality illustrations already in there - at 100 dollars additionally per illustration! .

Check out the official X-Blades website for details.

Guitar Hero III: Coldplay Track Pack - Available Today

Tina Wood — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:23:00 GMT

Xbox Live and Coldplay fans can have access to a trio of Coldplay tunes today. It will cost you 500 MS Points but Chris Martin is worth it. There have been a few other releases this month and you can check them out below.

Coldplay Track Pack (available June 19)

Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "Violet Hill" (from the band's latest album, Viva la Vida), "Yellow" (from the album Parachutes), and "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" (from the album A Rush of Blood to the Head).

Isle of Wight Track Pack (available June 12)

Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "Shoot the Runner" by Kasabian (memorable performance from 2007 Festival), "I Predict A Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs (2008 Festival headliner), and "Problems" by The Sex Pistols (2008 Festival headliner).

Motörhead Track Pack (available June 5)

Price: 500 MS Points
Songs: "(We Are) The Road Crew," "Stay Clean," and "Motörhead" all performed by Motörhead.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock downloadable content is instantly playable and available in the Downloaded Songs set list in all game modes (Career, Co-op Career, Quickplay, Multiplayer, Practice, and all Online modes). Be sure to check Xbox LIVE® Marketplace regularly for the latest tracks.

Deer Hunter Tournament on PC and Xbox LIVE

Tina Wood — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:04:00 GMT

The long running hunting game franchise has a new sibling. Deer Hunter Tournament is coming to Xbox Live and the PC this fall.

Deer Hunter^® - the biggest hunting game franchise of all time - takes dead aim at gamers once again as Atari, Inc. launches Deer Hunter Tournament for the Windows-based PC and, for the first time, the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this fall.

The evolution of virtual hunting has finally arrived as Deer Hunter Tournament gives players a chance to experience the most intense virtual hunting experience ever created. Deer Hunter Tournament is designed to create a massive network of Deer Hunter players by offering for the first time ever in hunting games organized, constantly updated online tournaments for both Xbox LIVE^® online entertainment network and through the Windows-based PC format. Deer Hunter Tournament will be available for a suggested retail price of $39.95 for Xbox 360 and $19.95 for PC.

Gamers and hunting fans alike will venture to most of the world's most prestigious hunting locations in pursuit of the most exotic and sought after big-game trophy animals. Virtual hunters can now enter different modes, such as stealth or adrenaline, or employ an array of master hunting strategies, including building stands and blinds, to track and shoot their targets. Deer Hunter Tournament provides numerous levels of gameplay, allowing hunters to embark on scouting missions designed to explore maps and equipment while studying animal habits. Hunters can also take part in hunting tutorials, compete in open hunting sessions and participate in either solo gameplay or the intense multi-player tournaments.

Employing some of the recent advancements in gaming technology, Deer Hunter Tournament features true-to-life animal behavior through advanced animal AI designed to mimic animal sight, hearing, sense of smell and behavioral patterns. Additional features include an arsenal of new weapons with bullet time slow motion replay and thermal scopes. Realistic effects in the game capture awe inspiring wildlife moments like hawks swooping down to snatch fish from lakes - but hunters must also be wary of bears, moose, mountain lions and other dangerous predators who will stalk and attack.

"Deer Hunter Tournament is poised to reinforce its place as the ultimate hunting video game franchise and we anticipate an even broader audience through our expansion of the brand to Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE," said Jim Wilson, CEO, Atari, Inc. "We are confident that this new edition with its first-ever online multiplayer tournament gameplay, enhanced artwork and mechanics, exotic game and locales will provide fans with the ultimate in realistic hunting experiences."

Carbon Grove: Green on-line campaign

Tina Wood — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:19:00 GMT

On Earth Day, Microsoft Window’s Internet Explorer launched Carbon Grove, its first green on-line campaign designed to mobilize internet users to push for aggressive reductions in their carbon footprints. On Monday, June 9, 2008, Microsoft extended the campaign to France and will extend the campaign to Germany and Poland by June 13, 2008.

Carbon Grove is a carbon footprint reduction reminder service that empowers users to improve the natural world by reducing their impact on the environment. In addition, users also improve the internet environment by using IE 7 with Dynamic Security Protection. The campaign allows internet users to plant a virtual tree in a virtual forest. Internet Explorer will in turn sponsor the planting of up to 250,000 real trees in deforested regions around the globe with its partner, American Forests. To participate in the campaign, users register at the site and follow the simple steps to plant their virtual tree. If IE7 is not already installed on the user’s machine, they will be able to download it for free. Alternatively, users can download a beta version of Internet Explorer 8. As part of the campaign, Carbon Grove will send weekly reminders on how your virtual tree has grown and become shelter for virtual animals. The weekly email reminder will feature a link to the user’s tree, as well as green tips on ways to save the environment in simple but meaningful steps. To plant your virtual tree and help our eco-system, visit www.carbongrove.com.

Fable 2 - New Screenshots

Tina Wood — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:01:00 GMT

They have released a few new screenshots for Fable II. The sequel to the wildly popular action RPG from Lionhead.

"Fable 2" is the true sequel to the wildly successful original that sold more than 3 million copies, offering even more choices and building on the core gameplay theme of "Fable," where a player's every decision continually defines whom they become. "Fable 2" is an action role-playing game (RPG) that truly allows players to live the life they choose in an unimaginably open world environment.

Set 500 years after the original, "Fable 2" will provide gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs and caves in the world of Albion.

Features:

• Choices, consequences. The innovative gameplay pioneered in the original "Fable" provided gamers with a never-before-seen level of immersion in a truly interactive world. "Fable 2" expands upon the scope and depth of the Xbox classic by adding incredible new features and creating a wider, more complex kingdom of limitless choices and consequences. Players will have the option to play as a man or woman, get married, have children, and live a life of their own design.

A land far, far away. Revisit the sprawling world of Albion more than 500 years after the events of the original "Fable," where you are free to explore the landscape and openly roam the countryside. For the right price every house, hut, dungeon and castle is for sale. Players can witness how the world grows and changes in response to their decisions in incredible and unique ways as they rediscover Albion as if for the first time.

Fight with ease. "Fable 2" pioneers a new combat system designed to allow players to truly master hand weapons such as swords and maces, ranged combat weapons such as bows and guns, and an entirely new magic system. These three disciplines, while very accessible, are also amazingly deep, and allow players to mix combat styles and become everything from master swordsman to skilled ranger to evil magic welder, utilizing a single button on the Xbox 360 controller.

A hero's best friend. This groundbreaking addition to the game is integral to the theme of unconditional love in "Fable 2." The canine companion will act as friend, compass and protector. Players must merely feed their pooch and he will love unconditionally, creating a bond that sets up emotion-filled journeys all throughout this magical world.

Experience the world together. For the first time in the "Fable" series, gamers can experience the expansive and immersive world of "Fable 2" with friends, utilizing the new and exciting Dynamic Co-op Mode, bringing the long-awaited multiplayer function to the world of "Fable 2."

Xbox LIVE Arcade mini-games earn major cash. Carbonated Games has partnered with Lionhead Studios Ltd. to bring an unparalleled experience to gamers through Xbox LIVE Arcade. Gamers can start earning in-game currency for the "Fable 2" world later this year, before the game's release to retail, by downloading and completing exclusive mini-games, which will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade and allow gamers to purchase weapons, armor and more for their hero.

"Fracture" for The Xbox 360

Tina Wood — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:35:00 GMT

If you haven't had a chance to check out the Trailor for "Fracture" yet...it's coming out this October on the Xbox 360 and looks well...I'll let you decide. We're starting to see a lot more visuals for upcoming titles thanks to the pending E3 Convention.

Here's the story-line. Fracture advances players to the year 2161, where ecological and seismological disasters have radically altered the planet’s landscape, and a clash in ideologies places society on the threshold of war. Players set foot on the frontlines of this epic conflict in the role of Mason Briggs, a demolitions expert fighting for the Atlantic Alliance, the side that relies upon cybernetic enhancement.

Pitted against the genetically enhanced soldiers of the Pacifican army, players will experience a revolution in 22nd-century warfare. In utilizing the core gameplay mechanic of Fracture, a destructive next-generation technology known as Terrain Deformation, players are equipped with an arsenal of futuristic weaponry to strategically reshape their surroundings on the fly. Every action they perform dynamically reshapes the earth in ways no videogame has ever seen. When Briggs throws a tectonic grenade on a level battlefield, the ground blasts upward to provide access to an otherwise unreachable area. Moving on, when he comes across what appears to be an impenetrable structure, Briggs utilizes the alt-fire functionality on his rocket launcher to create enormous craters to burrow underneath the wall.

Surrounded on all sides by enemies, Briggs heaves a vortex grenade, creating a swirling tornado-like mass of boulder, dirt and debris to dispatch his foes. These are just a few samples of the possibilities for Terrain Deformation. Players not only change the battlefield – they change the face of the battle itself.

Making of "The Incredible Hulk" Xbox 360 Game

Tina Wood — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 20:12:00 GMT

Some of you may have recently gotten your hands on Sega's new "The Incredible Hulk" game. And may be asking who are the voices behind the green giant and his fair lady? Never fear, the behind-the-scenes making of video is here.

This celebrity-filled video is focused on the stars behind the characters in the game, all being voiced by the actors who played them in the upcoming movie - including Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, and William Hurt. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the recording sessions as well as interviews with key members of the cast, this video goes into the studio to see first-hand the elements that brings this multi-platform game to life.

Video Games Live announces 50 new shows

Tina Wood — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:22:00 GMT

Video Games Live is an amazing video game concert co-founded by a friend of mine Tommy Tallarico. They have just announced new tour dates in several different countries. If you get a chance to check it out it's a must see. Here's a link to an interview I did with Tommy about Video Games Live a few years ago and below is all the new info.

Continuing its blockbuster award-winning world tour and coming off a major industry achievement of selling out its debut performance on Broadway in New York City, Video Games Live is proud to announce 50 shows in its effort to confirm to the world how culturally significant and artistic video games have become.

The Video Games Live tour created in 2002 by renowned video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, has become the top selling game concert in the world having already performed to more than 200,000 people around the globe including the U.S., Canada, England, Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Spain and Korea. To date, Video Games Live has performed across five different continents and has held over 40 record-breaking shows since last summer. In addition to their touring success, EMI Classics will be releasing the Video Games Live album (entitled Video Games Live: Volume One) worldwide this summer.

Proudly presented globally by leading peripheral manufacturer Razer (https://mail.microsoft.com/OWA/redir.aspx?C=d55c8449e4534a419c32501f2e5902b9&URL=http%3a%2f%2fmk1.netatlantic.com%2ft%2f5239028%2f38807049%2f16292%2f0%2f), Video Games Live is best described as utilizing the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra mixed with the energy and excitement of a rock concert combined with the cutting edge visuals, technology, interactivity and fun that video games provide.

The highest and most prestigious level of symphony and venue quality continues with the announcement of some of the world’s most renowned orchestras and local theatres, arenas and stadiums. To further attract the biggest audience possible, Video Games Live also partners with some of pop-culture’s most important conferences and conventions.

CURRENT TOUR DATES

Winnipeg, MB	June 5, 2008	Centennial Concert Hall
Las Vegas, NV	June 14, 2008	Henderson Pavilion	Las Vegas Philharmonic
Toronto, ON	June 21, 2008	Younge-Dundas Square	Future Shop
Glasgow, Scotland	June 26, 2008	Royal Concert Hall	Royal Scottish Symphony
Paris, France	June 29, 2008	Porte de Versailles	Blizzard WWI
Houston, TX	July 10, 2008	Jones Hall	Houston Symphony
Austin, TX	July 11, 2008	Long Center
Austin, TX	July 12, 2008	Long Center
Louisville, KY	July 18, 2008	Kentucky Arts Center	Louisville Orchestra
San Diego, CA	July 24, 2008	Embarcadero Park	San Diego Symphony
Taipei, Taiwan	August 10, 2008	Pan-Chiao Stadium	Taipei Philharmonic
Taipei, Taiwan	August 11, 2008	Pan-Chiao Stadium	Taipei Philharmonic
Indianapolis, IN	August 15, 2008	Hilbert Circle Theatre	Gen Con & Indianapolis Symphony
Indianapolis, IN	August 16, 2008	Hilbert Circle Theatre	Gen Con & Indianapolis Symphony
Leipzig, Germany	August 20, 2008	ARENA Leipzig	Leipzig Games Convention
San Jose, CA	August 26, 2008	Performing Arts Center	NVISION 08
Brookville, NY	September 20, 2008	Tilles Center
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	October 5, 2008	Canecão	Petrobras Sinfônica
Birmingham, Alabama	October 9, 2008	Jefferson Complex	Alabama Symphony
Beijing, China	October 18, 2008	Beijing Stadium	China Opera Symphony
Vancouver, BC	October 29, 2008	Orpheum Theatre	Vancouver Symphony
Kansas City, MO	November 1, 2008	Midland Theatre
Chicago, IL	November 15, 2008	Chicago Theatre
Lisbon, Portugal	December 6, 2008	TBA
Lisbon, Portugal	December 7, 2008	TBA
Paris, France	December 18, 2008	Palais des Congress
Newark, NJ	Dec. 27, 2008 (2PM)	NJ PAC	New Jersey Symphony
Newark, NJ	Dec. 27, 2008 (8PM)	NJ PAC	New Jersey Symphony
Burlington, VT	January 17, 2009	Flynn Center Perf. Arts
Seattle, WA	January 24, 2009	Paramount Theatre
Kitchener, ON	March 13, 2009	Centre in the Square	Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Kalamazoo, MI	March 20, 2009	Miller Auditorium
Sarasota, FL	March 28, 2009	Van Wezel Hall	Florida W. Coast Symph.
Richmond, VA	April 25, 2009	Landmark Theatre	Richmond Symphony
Calgary, Canada	May 15, 2009	Jack Singer Hall	Calgary Philharmonic
Calgary, Canada	May 16, 2009	Jack Singer Hall	Calgary Philharmonic
Boston, MA	TBA	TBA
Philadelphia, PA	TBA	TBA
Atlanta, GA	TBA	TBA
San Francisco, CA	TBA	TBA
São Paulo, Brazil	TBA	TBA
London, England	TBA	TBA
Hong Kong, China	TBA	TBA
Shanghai, China	TBA	TBA
Tokyo, Japan	TBA	TBA
Singapore	TBA	TBA
Seoul, Korea	TBA	TBA
Moscow, Russia	TBA	TBA
Norway	TBA	TBA
Sweden	TBA	TBA

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!

For complete tour and ticketing information please visit www.videogameslive.com. To suggest a particular song or city to perform in, please sign up to the VGL mailing list.

More tour dates for the 2008 and 2009 season are being added weekly. There will be over 50 shows in 2008 and more than 70 shows planned for 2009.

About Video Games Live™ (www.videogameslive.com)
Created by two industry leading video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, Video Games Live™ (produced under their company Mystical Stone Entertainment, LLC) is the front runner in the field of live game music performance. Video Games Live, an immersive concert event celebration, features music from the best video games performed by top orchestras and choirs around the world combined with synchronized video footage, lighting, special effects, interactivity and live action to create an explosive and unique one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. The debut performance launched on July 6th, 2005 at the world famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with the LA Philharmonic with over 11,000 people in attendance making it the largest video game concert in the world.

Live Search - Cashback: What is it?

Tina Wood — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:43:00 GMT

Many of you may have heard Bill Gates announcing the new Live Search cashback program or even received the email in your hotmail inbox. Well, I spent some time chatting with Brad Goldberg from the Live Search team and he talks not only about the new cashback program but about a few other things that Live Search have been working on.

Here's how Live Search cashback works:

Search

Search for cashback deals at Live Search cashback. Each time you click a Live Search cashback listing, you'll find great deals on the product you chose. Your results will clearly list the cashback savings you'll receive off the store price, and your final bottom-line price that includes tax and shipping costs. Also look for this icon when you search for a product on Live Search to find great cashback deals.

Shop

Compare and sort products by the bottom-line price. Click the best deal to go to the store. Everything you buy during that store visit will be eligible for Live Search cashback. On your first time using Live Search cashback, we will ask you for an email address so we can tell you how to quickly set up your free cashback account.

Save

Keep saving money each time you use Live Search cashback. Every time you make a qualifying purchase, we'll send you an email to confirm your Live Search cashback savings. When your cashback account reaches a balance of at least $5, you can claim your cold, hard cash. Terms and conditions.

Creating virtual databases

Tina Wood — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:16:00 GMT

I took a trip to the GNWC in Vancouver last week and had an opportunity to spend some time chatting with a few of the students in the masters program about this cutting edge idea. Instead of looking at data through an excel sheet or table, they have created a virtual ocean using a game engine to help bring their data to life. It's pretty amazing and quite spectacular to look at.

"Aces of the Galaxy" and "Roogoo" coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade tomorrow

Tina Wood — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:21:00 GMT

Retro arcade space shooter “Aces of the Galaxy,” and enjoy a new type of action-puzzler, “Roogoo,” both launching on Xbox LIVE® Arcade this Wednesday 4th June, 2008 at 09.00.

Enjoy the frantic action of “Aces of the Galaxy,” an old fashioned arcade adrenaline-pumping shoot-em-up that allows players to save the Universe from the wicked Skurgian Empire. Players annihilate enemy ships with an impressive arsenal of upgradeable weapons including high-powered missile launchers, devastating torpedoes and the relentless chain gun. Battle intense waves of enemy Skurgians against a breathtaking outer space backdrop, and choose to fight alone or join up with a friend at home or via Xbox LIVE.

“Roogoo” takes puzzles to a whole new level. Help the Roogoo defeat their enemies, the evil Meemoo, in “Roogoo,” a new and innovative action based-puzzler with addictive gameplay. Players line up multiple platforms on different levels to allow shaped blocks to pass through and once enough stack up, that particular shape closes off. A simple premise becomes more complicated as Meemoos begin to obstruct players' paths and butterflies attempt to steal blocks away. Players must swivel, roll and boost their way through 45 puzzle-filled levels alone or with up to four friends in cooperative party mode play. For those with a more competitive spirit, “Roogoo” offers a two-player multiplayer mode over Xbox LIVE where players battle to solve the same puzzle and can build up attacks to defeat their competitors.

Where can I get theses games from?

"Aces of the Galaxy" will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points.

More information is available at:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox360
http://www.acesofthegalaxy.com/

“Roogoo” will be available for 800 Microsoft Points.

More information on “Roogoo” is available at:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/livearcadexbox360

MIX 08 - The Wrap Up Video

Tina Wood — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:22:00 GMT

So if you're into developing and designing cool web-sites then the annual MIX event in Las Vegas is where you want to be. MIX 08 was stellar as Guy Kawasaki and Steve Ballmer played hardball, Ray Ozzie and Scott Guthrie were part of the keynotes and everybody else partied their basheebees off. MIX isn't your typical Microsoft event as the days aren't only filled with keynotes and sessions but it adds a sprinkle of pop-culture and fun. If you're interested in checking out anything that happened at MIX or MIX 08...head to visitmix.com and you can just watch this video.

Softkinetic - Changing the way you play games

Tina Wood — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:47:00 GMT

Softkinetic is the leading provider of natural interfaces that transform the way people interact with the digital world.

They enable fully immersive, transparent and intuitive user experiences by providing a 3D real-time gesture recognition middleware to Interactive Digital Entertainment, Consumer Electronics, Industrial Applications and Fitness Equipment manufacturers.

Softkinetic operates with a single depth sensing camera, requires no marker (no gamepad, no wiimote, no special gloves or clothing, no headset - nothing), and works under all lighting conditions and scene settings (at home, in a fitness center, an amusement park, a classroom, a game cafe, an industrial simulation room - anywhere.)