Crispy Gamer News

NetDragon Websoft Inc., one of China’s leading online game developers and operators, has decided that to celebrate its success, it’s going to Disneyland. The company, together with The Walt Disney Company’s Interactive Media Group announced yesterday that they are currently developing their first Massively Multiplayer Online RPG, “Disney Fantasy Online”, with a projected Spring 2009 launch.

Gamers who dive into Disney Fantasy Online will be dropped mouse ears first into a unique Disney-themed central world, created based on themes of the Magic Kingdom, playing alongside non-player Disney character hosts such as Mickey and Friends, preparing and training the gamers for the vast adventures that lie ahead. As gamers explore, complete quests, and level-up, they have the opportunity to acquire virtual items to personalize the gaming experience and enable them to explore additional worlds more extensively. Expansion packs with new adventures and maps will be constantly added to the game, providing endless opportunities for gamers to uncover new content and secrets.
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Disney Interactive Studios has released Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for the Nintendo DS. In Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force for Nintendo DS, players become agents of the Elite Penguin Force, taking on secret missions, solving mysteries and connecting with the online world of Club Penguin in new ways. Players will use both familiar and all-new gadgets, accessories, disguises and vehicles as they set out on new missions to investigate puzzling events in the world of Club Penguin. The game is based loosely on the PC virtual world of the same name, which is ultra popular with kids.

Players can also earn coins while playing on Nintendo DS and upload them wirelessly to their online penguin accounts. In addition, each game comes packaged with a redeemable code that allows players to gain special access to the top secret EPF Command Room, which is only available to DS players online at www.ClubPenguin.com. Other features include three all-new mini-games (Snowboarding, Dance Challenge and Snow Trekker) as well as three fan-favorites from the virtual world that have been adapted to utilize the DS touch-screen – Cart Surfer, Jet Pack Adventure and Ice Fishing. Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force also includes access to Disney’s DGamer, which allows kids to engage with other Disney game players using their Nintendo DS or home computer.

Disney Interactive Studios has teamed up with pop-punk band Plain White T’s for content, videos and promotional efforts for its upcoming music video game Ultimate Band. Developed by Fall Line Studio in Salt Lake City, Utah, Ultimate Band hopes to take on the music rhythm genre dominated by the likes of Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

Two-time Grammy nominee Plain White T’s will be featured in the Wii version of the game with exclusive videos including an acoustic performance of the single “Natural Disaster.” A re-recorded version of the Plain White T’s “Our Time Now” is also featured in the game allowing players to use male or female voices.

“Our Time Now” is also featured in Ultimate Band for Nintendo DS. Players increase their fans by strumming along to the chords on the lead, rhythm or bass guitars, as well as rocking out on the drums.

Ultimate Band will be available in time for the holidays.

On Friday Square Enix announced that it plans to bring Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories for the PS2 to North American players on Dec. 2. Based on the popular Game Boy Advance game Chain of Memories, Re: Chain of Memories serves as a bridge between the original game and Kingdom Hearts II and features character design from character designer Tetsuya Nomura, full 3D graphics, voice talent from the North American releases including David Gallagher and Haley Joel Osment, a revamped mini-game catalog, and the ability to play Sora and Riku.

Look for the game in December for a retail price of $29.99.

PURE has begun shipping this week, with the action-y racing game from Black Rock Studios and Disney Interactive expected to be widely available at retail on September 23 (GameStop.com has it listed as being released today though). In case you haven’t been following the game, Pure is a racing experience offering massive jumps, spectacular airborne tricks, graphics graphics, and seven real world locations all over the globe. Other promises include more than 35 multiple-route tracks, 70 tricks, 16-player contests (A.I. controlled in single player) and online multiplayer. The single-player modes of PURE are Race (trick-based races to the finish line), Freestyle (points-based) or Sprint (short intense tracks). Online mode features the same modes plus Freeride, which lets players roam freely and face-off online with their friends. PURE will be availble for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 next week.

The demo for PURE will be available worldwide for download on Xbox LIVE Marketplace and PlayStation Network on Thursday, September 4. The demo from Disney and Black Rock takes place on the Italy - Mount Garda track, one of 35 tracks in the game. Players use speed and tricks to complete the three-lap race against 15 AI competitors. The demo also includes a brief tutorial on a qualifying track to get players up to speed on the game controls.

PURE is an action sports game on four wheels where players build their vehicle from scratch and take on 15 competitors in single-player or online multiplayer modes in seven real-world locations.

Get it while it is hot.

Disney Interactive Studios’ Black Rock Studio has been busy with a new game - revealed today at E3 - called Pure. Pure is an off-road game action racing game featuring four wheeled vehicles to make massive aerial jumps and airborne tricks in locales throughout the world. The game features multiplayer for up to 16 players and includes the ability to create and customize vehicles with 65,000 different combinations.

Pure will be released on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC in September.