The most classic and common perception of a gamer is a lonely 20 something male who wears black trenchcoats, sports an unruly beard, has no contact with girls and sits in a dark room almost 24/7 getting their gaming fix.  While this description really is almost laughable in it’s ridiculousness, it still exists today.  If your boss asked you what you like to do on your own free time would you happily offer up that you are looking forward to going home and playing Fable 2?  I guess it really depends on your boss.  But I think that many of you wouldn’t.  Even today, as gaming is literally exploding around the world, there are some very negative connotations associated with gaming.

For example, we’ve all read and heard the claims that violent games breed violence in those who play them.  Grand Theft Auto and games like Call of Duty are terrible for society.  Are they?  How are they worse than watching the latest Saw movie?  Have you ever seen how sick and twisted those are?  Are you telling me that a pixelated character is worse than watching an almost true-to-life execution on film of a real person?

I, for one, think it’s high time for those who look down their noses at gamers to take a few points into consideration.  Here are my reasons for why gaming is not only an acceptable pastime.  No, that’s not good enough.  These are reasons why gaming is a SUPERIOR pastime that doesn’t deserve the stigma that much of society has placed upon it.

1. Gaming requires you to use your brain - Why sit on your couch and watch the usual trash that you can find on tv these days?  Who cares if some new Midget Deathmatch reality show is starting next week?  How is watching tv more socially acceptable than playing a game where you are also on the couch and staring at a tv?  At least with gaming you are INTERACTING with something.  Your brain actually has to do something and many studies have shown that gaming is actually a good form of mental exercise.  Next time somebody makes a comment about your gaming habits, ask them how much tv they watch.  Watching tv is only socially acceptable because it’s a much older medium.

2. Gaming gives you better bang for your buck - This one is a no-brainer.  On a cost basis, gaming gives you far more entertainment value for your buck.  Going to the movies?  Ok, be ready to fork out over $10 just for the ticket and maybe much more if you want popcorn and something to drink with that salty snack (that’s how they getcha!)  I’ll be nice and say it only costs $15 to go out to a movie these days.  Let’s say then that the average movie is 2 hours, which is also too generous.  So, for $15 you are getting 2 hours of entertainment.  You are looking at about $7.50 per hour of entertainment there.

What then, if you bought a video game for $60?  That’s the average price for a new game these days and doesn’t take into account the price of used games etc.  Let’s say you get 10 hours of gaming out of a game these days (again, very low and that does not take into account online play and repeat playthroughs etc).  That means playing a game for only 10 hours gives you a total cost per hour of only $6.  That is being very kind to movies too.  Almost all games these days come with online and multiplayer components which can push the number of hours you spend on them to well over 50 and beyond.  At that point, the cost comparison becomes even more laughable.

3. Gaming today is a social experience - I always find it amusing when someone accuses me of being anti-social for choosing to play video games instead of going to their place to watch tv or a movie.  Generally, depending on how annoying your friends can be, watching tv and movies is done in silence.  Occasionally you’ll laugh or make a smart-ass remark or observation about something obvious, but tv and movies are medium that require you to sit still and pay attention.

What many don’t seem to understand is that with the new generation of consoles the gaming experience has evolved in to much more than just single player affairs.  The online communities built up by Xbox Live and the Playstation Network have attracted millions of people who regularly meet up to play multiplayer games.  Almost every game these days has cooperative play or multiplayer of some sort.  The thing about gaming that makes it MORE social than watching a movie or tv is the fact that you need to plan out strategy with your teammates or talk trash whilst thrashing them in Madden.  With gaming, you even get to meet some new and interesting people.

Because all gamers aren’t losers in their parents basements, you can have great conversations with people as you play something online.  I’ve met lots of cool people online while playing NHL 2009 and among them I can count lawyers, accountants, a marketing executive, a math professor and more government workers than you can imagine.   I learned more about New Jersey talking to a guy over the course of an NHL game than I would have learned watching a PBS special on the city.  Gaming isn’t social?  Whatever guy who can tell me everything about LOST and can never hang out on Thursday’s for fear of missing an episode.

4. Gamers still find the time to read- For whatever reason, many people believe that if you play video games you do so at the expense of reading.  Sure it can be at the expense of reading.  However, when someone sits down to watch tv they are also not reading.  Somehow, it is still more acceptable to watch tv for 4 hours after work than play video games.  I play games, but at the expense of watching GARBAGE on tv.  I still read as much as I ever did.  Maybe more.

So the next time your parents, girlfriend, boyfriend or friends give you a hard time about gaming (providing you aren’t overdoing it!) feed them any of these scenarios.  Fortunately for us gamers, the Wii has paved the way for everyone to accept video games and the stigma will likely die out in the next decade.  For now, you’ll just have to grin an bear it when you are buying that new game at Future Shop and the guy at the counter gives you those eyes that you know are telling you to  “get a life.”  It won’t be long before they are gaming too.  Just think how far behind those noobs will be when they finally see the light.

So why do you game?  These are just some of the reasons I’m a gamer, and proud of it.

About a year ago it was a week before Xmas 2007, and I convinced my girlfriend that we should buy ourselves a Wii for a present. The only problem was that they were harder to find than a Hammer Brother Suit. I was constantly checking the online classifieds, and phoning every electronics store within a 100km radius of my house. Then finally a local store received an unexpected shipment of ten systems, and I got down there when there were two left (the guy behind me in line got the last one).

This all seemed like a big deal for just another console, even though it was the holiday season. After all the stress from acquiring the Wii, I could’ve been easily disappointed if it didn’t live up to the hype. Luckily, the first title I bought was Super Mario Galaxy. This is always a safe bet with a new Nintendo console, as the designers behind the Mario Franchise are sure to be familiar with all the capabilities of the new hardware, and have the track record of many of the best games ever created.

Super Mario Galaxy didn’t just live up to my expectations, it totally blew my mind. Clean graphics, a familiar interface, great controls, and above all the physics of changing gravity make this a game that I could play over and over again. It even has a few levels which are very difficult, such as having to go back and beat a previous boss without sustaining any damage.

This title set the bar quite high for other Wii titles, and in the past year I’ve experienced some shockingly bad graphics and game ideas that make me wonder just who they are marketing to. That being said, the fact is that the Wii is the first system in a long time that has a different-looking controller, and is not all thumbs and complex button combinations. This has made it relatively popular with a whole segment of the population outside of the stereotypical young male gamers.

One other thing that has set the Wii apart from past consoles is the Virtual Console and WiiWare features available online. The Wii automatically connected to the internet via my wireless router, and in a few short button clicks, my credit card information was in their system and I was downloading some of my favorite classics. These include but are not limited to Gradius, Tecmo Bowl, Mega Man 2, Contra, Super Mario Bros. 3….. the list goes on and on. Revisiting these games 20 years later is both a challenging and rewarding experience. Nintendo also sells games under the category ‘WiiWare’, which are shorter, simpler titles, ranging from about 5 to 20 bucks. World of Goo is a very smart and popular title (check out the Metacritic rating), and Tetris party is a new twist on an old classic, with great variations on the original and addicting online play.

So now I find myself sitting in the glow of the Xmas tree reflecting on 2008, the year of Wii. One minute I’m taking a fitness test in Wii Sports, consisting of realistic tennis, boxing, and baseball drills, and the next minute completing near-impossible levels in Mega Man 2, from a time where video games consisted of pure jumping and shooting. Amazingly, my girlfriend is calling “next game”, a regular event. If you ask me, Nintendo has already surpassed expectations for the Wii, and there’s still loads of potential.

Here’s where the Christmas wishlist comes to the rescue.  We’ll help you sort through the trash to find the treasure. We aren’t even going to bother taking into account the games that came out prior to September of this year.  If you have missed out on games like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Grand Theft Auto 4, maybe this list isn’t for you.

Obviously everyones taste is different and the types of games people like to play varies dramatically.  However, in this list you’ll find the best of what is on store shelves leading up to Christmas in 2008.  In our opinion, none of these titles should be missed.  Hopefully you aren’t a Wii gamer though…the pickings are mighty slim this year.

Here are the top games I think should be on any gamers list for Christmas 2008 (excluding DS and PSP):

Fallout 3 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Vault-Tec engineers have worked around the clock on an interactive reproduction of Wasteland life for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own vault. Included is an expansive world, unique combat, shockingly realistic visuals, tons of player choice, and an incredible cast of dynamic characters. Every minute is a fight for survival against the terrors of the outside world – radiation, Super Mutants, and hostile mutated creatures. From Vault-Tec, America’s First Choice in Post Nuclear Simulation. Vault 101 – Jewel of the Wastes. For 200 years, Vault 101 has faithfully served the surviving residents of Washington DC and its environs, now known as the Capital Wasteland. Though the global atomic war of 2077 left the US all but destroyed, the residents of Vault 101 enjoy a life free from the constant stress of the outside world. Giant Insects, Raiders, Slavers, and yes, even Super Mutants are all no match for superior Vault-Tec engineering. Yet one fateful morning, you awake to find that your father has defied the Overseer and left the comfort and security afforded by Vault 101 for reasons unknown. Leaving the only home you’ve ever known, you emerge from the Vault into the harsh Wasteland sun to search for your father, and the truth.

Why you should play it: Where to even begin with this game?  For anyone that lost themselves in Bethesda’s last western RPG Oblivion, this game is going to own you.  It is essentially Oblivion with guns…and that is a very good thing.  The atmosphere in this game is simply incredible and the branching story that changes depending on your actions begs for the game to be replayed.  If you only buy one game this holiday season, make it Fallout 3.  It is the best game of the year.  Period.

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Gears of War 2 builds upon the gameplay of the first title in every way. First, the scope of the action is bigger: new characters, more weapons, nastier enemies, bigger vehicles, and grander locales offer more action, more emotion, and more thrills. Next, every major aspect of the game has been refined to create heightened, more immersive experiences. Finally, the overall tone of Gears of War 2 is more badass: replete with new weapon-specific executions, chainsaw duels, and shocking boss fights. Gears of War 2 raises the graphics bar for next-generation games through its breathtaking visual effects, which are made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3. New visual effects include ambient occlusion, dynamic shadows, improved character lighting, the ability to render hundreds of on-screen characters simultaneously, improved water physics, additional blood and bullet decals, advanced destructible environments, new weather effects, and the introduction of fluid objects. When combined with the sweeping vistas and evocative locales in the world of Sera where the Gears of War 2 story unfolds, these additions help make this the most gorgeous game available this generation. Gears of War 2 continues to push deep, immersive storytelling in video games to greater heights. Humanity’s epic battle for survival is felt on both the personal and epic levels as you explore multiple story arcs that introduce new characters and flesh out the histories of familiar ones. A new in-game conversational camera system also helps bring the compelling story to life in a cinematic fashion.

Why you should play it: Gears 2 surpassed our expectations in every way.  Not only is the game beautiful to look at, it’s incredibly fun to play.  With more varied gameplay throughout the main campaign (and an actual story this time around), Gears really is bigger and more badass.  Cliffy B really nailed it with this game and playing through the coop campaign was some of the most fun we’ve had this year with a game.  Throw in some great multiplayer and a new mode called “the Horde” and you have a game well worth your time and money.

Dead Space (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: In the bold and often-bloody Dead Space gamers step into a third-person sci-fi survival horror experience that delivers psychological thrills and gruesome action. Set in the cold blackness of deep space, the atmosphere is soaked with a feeling of tension, dread and sheer terror. In Dead Space, players step into the role of engineer Isaac Clarke – an ordinary man on a seemingly routine mission to fix the communications systems aboard a deep space mining ship. It is not long before Isaac awakes to a living nightmare when he learns that the ship’s crew has been ravaged by a vicious alien infestation. He must fight through the dead silence and darkness of deep space to stay alive.

Why you should play it: For many years the Resident Evil series has been the preeminent 3rd person horror game to buy.  That all may have changed with the arrival of EA’s newest intellectual property, Dead Space.  Set aboard a mining ship in deep space, this game creates an excellent atmosphere of fear and desperation.  The graphics are top notch and the gameplay feels intuitive.  Adding to the fun are some great weapons and a new dismemberment mechanic that never seemed to get old.  If you are a fan of Aliens, this game is for you.

Fable 2 (Xbox 360)

What this game is all about: Set 500 years after the original, Fable II provides 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. Fable II expands upon the scope and depth f the Xbox classic by adding incredible new features and creating a wider, more complex kingdom of limitless choices and consequences. Players have the option to play as a man or woman, get married, have children, and live a life of their own design. 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. Fable II pioneers a new combat system designed to allow players to truly master hand weapons such as swords and maces, ranged combat weapons such as cross-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.

Why you should play it: As huge fans of the original Fable, we went into Fable 2 with high hopes and expectations.  We are happy to report that they have almost all been met by this excellent RPG.  The “one button combat” works really well is fun to play the whole way through.  With loads of side quests, great British humour and even your own dog (that you actually will become attached to) this game will keep you occupied for hours.  And then you’ll play it again to see what happens when you do things differently.

Little Big Planet (PS3)

What this game is all about: In LittleBigPlanet Players meet on a blue and green planet scattered with individual plots – and use their character’s amazing abilities to play, create and share what they build with other gamers throughout the world via the Playstation Network. The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character’s powers to interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve – all requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As soon as players begin their creative skills will grow and they will soon be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings – the first step to sharing them with the whole community.Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together 3D landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to view and play. There’s no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learned by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like. When it’s ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch – or can go and explore everybody else’s.

Why you should play it: Think of LBP as the game that keeps on giving.  While essentially a platforming game, LBP is a game unlike any other.  The main “campaign” is a cleverly designed to teach you how to use the tools and assets provided (and there are many) to create and design your own levels.  Where this game really shines is in the user generated content that just keeps on flowing.  With the ability to play literally thousands of levels and an online community that is rapidly expanding, LBP is a game that is going to have something new to offer every time you turn it on.  If you are really into the creation mode, it is safe to expect that this game will consume your every waking moment and thought.

The Witcher Enhanced Edition (PC)

What this game is all about: Assume the role of The Witcher, Geralt, a legendary monster slayer caught in a web of intrigue as he battles forces vying for control of the world. Make difficult decisions and live with the consequences in a game that will immerse you in an extraordinary tale like no other. The Witcher shatters the line between good and evil in a world where moral ambiguity reigns. The Witcher emphasizes story and character development in a vibrant world while incorporating tactically-deep real-time combat like no game before it

Why you should play it: The Witcher is one of those rare games that takes RPG’s to the next level.  Featuring a mature storyline, interesting characters and a fun combat system, the Witcher is a game that all RPG lovers need to experience.  With the enhanced edition, you now get far better loading times, improved graphics, a rewritten story and hundreds of other tweaks that improve upon the original game in every way.  This oft-overlooked gem is a must play for any hardcore RPG fan on the PC.

NHL 2009 (Xbox 360, PS3)

What this game is all about: NHL 09 builds on the momentum of last year, with innovative controls, added depth and new features designed to help newcomers jump into the series. The Skill Stick System evolves to bring an unparalleled level of control to the defensive side of the puck. The all new Defensive Skill Stick gives you the ability to sweep your stick to block passing lanes and lift an opponent’s stick to prevent one-timers. Take your game online with 6 vs.6 team play, where 12 people can play together on 12 different consoles around the world. With new teams from the Russian, Czech Republic and German Elite leagues, NHL 09 connects hockey fans around the globe like never before. Players new to the series can now shoot, pass and check with ease. NHL 09 features Be A Pro, a game mode that puts you on the ice with a dynamic new 3rd person camera that allows you to play the role of one player. With a performance tracker grading your progress in more than 50 categories, you know exactly where you need to improve to become the next NHL superstar.

Why you should play it: NHL 2009 is the best and most exciting sports game to be released in 2008.  the great controls, fluid gameplay and incredibly deep online experience also make this the best NHL game to ever be released.  The new “be a pro” mode is highly addictive and you’ll spend hours trying to get your player onto that top line with Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin.  If you are a sports fan you need to think about this game.  If you are a hockey fan, you MUST buy this game.

Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, PC)

What this game is all about: Fight together…or die alone. A new and highly virulent strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population with frightening speed. The pandemic’s victims become grotesquely disfigured, wildly violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. One of the “lucky” few apparently immune to the sickness, you, unfortunately, are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the bloodthirsty Infected. Together with a handful of fellow Survivors, you must fight your way to safety or die alone. A co-operative multiplayer action game from the makers of “Counter-Strike,” Left 4 Dead is built atop the most advanced version of the Source Engine and introduces version 2 of Turtle Rock’s artificial intelligence (A.I.) technology.

Why you should play it: For the multiplayer/zombie nut, this game is for you.  There is probably no better example of a perfectly executed online multiplayer game right now.  The action is fast and frenzied and the excitment never seems to fade.  Jump online with 3 of your friends to tackle the campaigns and get ready for some fist pumping.  There isn’t much more exciting than overcoming some horrible scenario the AI Director (the AI adjusts to your style of play and constantly turns the game on it’s head, sending you into a full-blown panic) throws at you.  Despite the relatively short length of the campaign, with the adaptive AI, intuitive controls and fantastic multiplayer, Left 4 Dead will have you coming back again and again.

Honourable* Mentions:

This is truly an amazing time to be a gamer.  There are so many great games that you could fill every hour of the day playing them and not get through them all.  Games that just missed making the list are:

• Call of Duty: World at War (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Prince of Persia (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Mirror’s Edge (PS3, Xbox 360)
• World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (PC) – If you are a WOW fan…this is already likely your #1
• Resistance 2 (PS3)
• Far Cry 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
• Valkyria Chronicles (PS3)
• Tomb Raider Underworld (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Tom Clancy’s End War (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
• Guitar Hero World Tour (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Rock Band 2 (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Motor Storm: Pacific Rift (PS3)
• Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe (PS3, Xbox 360)
• Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts (Xbox 360)

There you have it.  There are a TON of games out there this year and there is something for everyone.  Whether you want to be wandering a futuristic wasteland that has been ravaged by nuclear war, create levels with your friends with cute Sackboys, survive wave after wave of the locust Horde, fend off zombies with your friends or slap a few pucks top shelf on your friends, you are going to be a very happy gamer this holiday season.

Enough about what we think.  What do YOU think are the must have games this holiday season?

*thanks for reading this asterisk

The drop comes from the boss Tenris Mirkblood in Karazhan. Once equipped, the Arcanite Ripper can transform you into a skeletal rock star. Check out the video of the Arcanite Ripper in action below as you can see from the video it will turn you into a Guitar Hero playing a skeleton-like ax.

Now that Blizzard and Activision have merged into one huge super company…it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing more weird crossovers like this in the future.

Sins of a Solar Empire has been a huge hit since its release this year and the expansions will no doubt add lots of replayability to the game.

Sins of a Solar Empire has provided PC gamers with RT4X gameplay that requires players to eXpand, eXplore, eXploit and eXterminate. In Sins of a Solar Empire the future survival of the human race is at threat, with three mighty races fighting over control of the galaxy. Players have the opportunity to command one of these three races and attempt to survive and dominate the galaxy. Your success depends on your ability to govern your empire and to command your space navy. To succeed in Sins, a carefully balanced combination of diplomacy, economics and military might are required to become the Master of the Universe.

The first expansion, entitled “Entrenchment” will include:

• Star Bases, which can be customized and upgraded over time;
• Race specific Star Bases which will have a unique variety of upgradable characteristics. The ability to upgrade your Star Bases is limited so players will have to think strategically and plan carefully!
• The number of Star Bases each gamer can control will now be limited by a new research feature
• More Star Base goodies both race specific and generic;
• Mine field designs specific to each race and essential for hindering and endangering enemy forces;
• More types of mines;
• More defense systems both race specific and generic;
• New artifacts and planet properties;
• And much more.

The expansion “Entrenchment” for Sins of a Solar Empire will be available via download at the online platform Impulse soon for 4x fans to lose themselves with this Christmas.

One of the most interesting aspects of gaming culture is the language that is cultivated by the gaming community. To anybody that doesn’t play games or troll forums the lingo can sound like complete gibberish. In my experience, even seasoned gamers are not immune to this phenomenon. Girlfriends get frustrated, co-workers think you are using words from languages found in Star Trek (though you might be) and friends think you’ve lost your mind when you pull a word out of your gaming thesaurus.

Be confused, scared, stupefied and ignorant no longer. We have put together a list of the most common gaming words, expressions, terms and acronyms to help you understand exactly what that punk just said to you online…or what your boyfriend really means when he keeps saying “pwned” in bed.

So check it out! Tell us what you think.  Feel free to submit your ideas and terms and we’ll work hard to make it the most complete and update glossary for gamers on the interwebs!

Cheers

PS. I actually love cats.

In attendance were the venerable (and hockey game legend from NHL 04) Jeremy Roenick, cover athlete Dion Phaneuf, Corey Perry, Patrick O’Sullivan and Wild goalie Josh Harding.  At the event all the players got to experience the “Be a Pro” mode and played as themselves.  It was set up as the Calgary Flames (for Phaneuf) vs. the San Jose Sharks (for Roenick).  Here are just a few comments that could be heard from the players.

Roenick: “Holy crap this game is realistic!” – after Perry cross-checked his player and was assessed a penalty

Phaneuf: “I’m not sure who would win in a fight between myself and Dan Boyle” – after his character lays out Boyle in a scrap

Roenick: “Jesus this is realistic.” – about the game in general

So yeah, you get the point.  They were loving it.

Also attending the event were gaming journalists from far and wide.  I had the privilege of getting a chance to chat with Brian Ekberg of Gamespot fame.  He was a very cool guy and is one of the best and most respected game journalists around today.  Thanks for being so approachable Brian!

Brian Ekberg and Yours Truly

Overall it was a great event and with the reviews pouring in being overwhelming positive, it seems NHL 2009 is poised to have another great year.

Check out some more photos from the event below.  I’ll have a review of the game up sometime in the coming weeks after some extensive testing of the online leagues…but the early word is that the game is amazing.

August 20, 2008 – PLAYSTATION®Network is the premier source of downloadable games content, with a huge offering of fun, innovative new games as well as classic PlayStation® titles. Already boasting huge successes with the likes of PixelJunk™ Monsters, Super Stardust HD™ and echochrome™, PLAYSTATION Network is ushering in a new generation of top titles from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) with the following on show at Games Convention 2008.

Flower™

A true escape from the modern world, Flower challenges traditional gaming conventions with a lush, vivid environment in which players control the wind, using petals to reshape and revive their game surroundings. Using simple SIXAXIS™ wireless controllers, play involves flight and exploration, as you guide a petal across the landscape. Collecting additional petals and feel the gameplay change from serene to chaotic as you collect more and more. With more than 200,000 individually animated blades of grass, Flower is a game only possible thanks to the power of PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™).

Fat Princess™

In modern life, obesity is a social concern but, in medieval times, it was a key battle tactic! The Fat Princess of the title is your own over-fed royal that you must rescue from your enemy’s dungeon – if you can carry the porky madam to safety, that is. Choose the role of a warrior, archer, mage, worker or priest; your most important weapon here is teamwork as you work alongside up to 15 other players online to defeat the enemy team across ten individual maps and over numerous gameplay modes. Bringing countless players together on PLAYSTATION Network, Fat Princess™ is a blast of hilarious, furious multiplayer fun.

Crash Commnado™

Old school gameplay meets next generation technology in Crash Commando™, mixing classic side-scrolling action with intense multiplayer fun in the ultimate slapstick shooter. Up to 12 players slug it out online or offline in frenzied death-matches, taking control of jetpacks, jeeps and tanks on two gameplay layers which can be moved between seamlessly via portals. Sign up with either the Jarheads or the Grunts in all-out warfare for world supremacy on a battlefield strewn with exaggerated gore and special effects. Track your victories with online leaderboards, rankings and trophy support.

Rachet & Clank™: Quest For Booty

Ratchet and Clank make their return in a bite-sized mini-adventure filled with their trademark crazy weaponry, side-splitting comedy and dazzling 3D animation in this treasure-hunting adventure. Help Ratchet sail solo into a world of galleons, parrots and cutlasses in his quest to uncover booty and his missing mate Clank. Journey through the dark caves of Hoolefar Island, navigate the treacherous Viper Caverns and take on foul-tempered buccaneer and new nemesis Captain Darkwater. Beware: danger lurks around every corner.

The Last Guy™

Set in the aftermath of a strange event that has caused many people to turn into fierce monsters, this fast-paced and fun game challenges players to save humanity by leading everybody else through the streets of world cities to safety. With a focus on gameplay rather than gore, The Last Guy is a game that’ll keep you coming back for more monster mayhem every time. Gather the survivors into lines and lead them through the streets of 14 world cities – all recreated with stunning aerial photography. Each city has an escape zone which you must lead your lines of people into while avoiding the enemy at all costs…

Savage Moon™

Classic tower strategy gameplay heads into outer space in Savage Moon™, as players attempt to protect an isolated planetary outpost from rampaging hordes of gigantic, ravenous space bugs. Position your towers in the best position possible to beat the bugs and convert your victory points into weapons that suit your preferred tactics. Classic strategy gaming meets interstellar gameplay with endless strategic possibilities – can you beat the bugs and save the moon?

PixelJunk Eden™

Prepare to be stunned by PixelJunk Eden™, the game that challenges you to help alien plants flower and bloom in a psychedelic, hypnotic Garden of Eden. Smash into enemies to release batches of pollen, making your flowers grow. Swing higher and higher through your growing paradise, climbing up iridescent stems, swinging from twirling branches, swaying on psychedelic flowers and searching the undergrowth for hidden treasures – with mesmerising graphics and electronic soundtrack created by Japanese artist Baiyon.

Rag Doll Kung Fu™

Rag Doll Kung Fu is a party fighting game based on the ancient principles of kung fu and rag-doll physics. Fast-paced combat, exaggerated action and unique visuals come together in a game that is easy for beginners but has enough depth in its combat system to keep hardcore fighters coming back for more. Using simple SIXAXIS motions to pull off special moves and combat sequences, players compete in matches with up to four other players either online or offline. The perfect party game for experts and beginners alike.

Warhawk™: Operation: Fallen Star expansion pack

The third expansion pack for mighty online warfare title Warhawk, Operation: Fallen Star introduces the remote, forested Tau Crater – the site of a crashed Chernovan warship containing invaluable experimental technology. With the Chernovans trying desperately to salvage the ship, the Eucadians have arrived with a view to stealing it for themselves. This pack brings ten new battlefields to the Warhawk experience – as well as the Infantry Jetpack – a personal rocket pack that allows soldiers to soar above the fray of battle into the aerial realm of the Warhawks themselves.

WipEout™HD

The arrival of WipEout® HD on PLAYSTATION®3 marks the dawning of a new era for the iconic racer, so strap yourself in for anti-gravity combat racing in full 1080p High Definition. Choose a futuristic craft then speed into the thick of the action in adrenaline-fuelled races across eight reversible tracks full of smooth loops, sharp bends and sheer drops. Master the ultra-realistic motion sensitive controls; unleash high-tech weapons to blast your opponents off the track. Take part in global online racing for up to eight players, compete for trophies and test your skills against the best pilots on the planet.

Super Stardust™ Portable for PSP™

One of the most popular PLAYSTATION Network titles arrives on PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable), making outer-space action mobile, so wherever you go, a blast of furious intergalactic shooter fun is close at hand. Retaining all the aspects that made Super Stardust a hit on PS3, Super Stardust Portable is sure to follow in the successful footsteps of its home system counterpart.

All of these titles will be on show at Leipzig 2008, so make you check out the future of PLAYSTATION Network gaming with these incredible, inventive downloadable titles.

Notes to Editors:

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2, PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) and PLAYSTATION®Network software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006, over 14.4 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Maintaining its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history, PlayStation 2 has sold over 131.3 million systems worldwide. Since its launch at the end of 2004, over 41.3 million PSPs have been sold globally, highlighting the importance of the portable entertainment market. With the huge increase in interest and accessibility of network applications and network gaming, over 10 million accounts have been registered to the PLAYSTATION Network, the free-to-access interactive environment, and about 200 million items have been downloaded.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at http://www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PlayStation, PLAYSTATION, DUALSHOCK and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP and PS3 are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), based in London, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and sales of PLAYSTATION®3, PlayStation®2 and PSP?(PlayStation®Portable) software and hardware in 99 territories across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. SCEE also develops, publishes, markets and distributes entertainment software for these formats, and manages the third party licensing programs for the formats in these territories. Since the launch of PLAYSTATION 3 in November 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 10 million units have been sold globally and continue to be sold at a record level. Between the beginning of April 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 26 million PlayStation 2 consoles have been sold worldwide, continuing its position as one of the most successful consumer electronic products in history. Between the beginning of April 2006 and the end of January 2008, over 20 million PSP systems have been sold worldwide.

More information about PlayStation products can be found at
http://www.playstation.com or visit the Virtual Press Office at
http://www.scee.presscentre.com.

PLAYSTATION, PlayStation and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Levelling up in a sports game? Awesomeness ensues.

So what exactly is the EASHL?  It isn’t just another online mode…it’s basically an introduction of RPG elements into the sports genre with a dash of MMO for flavour.  In the EASHL, you take control of your own player and you (yes you, it is your name on the back of that jersey and your real name that appears on the leaderboards – not your gamertag), play online and are graded on your performance.  With the new performance tracker feature, you are graded on how well you play hockey, not on how well you play a video game.  A new system for tracking your progress and skills allows players to “level up” their hockey player by attributing skill points and improving stats…just like an RPG.  Perform well on a consistent basis and your hulking power forward will improve with you.

When you first begin there will be 10 player types to choose from across 3 categories of players:

Forwards: dangler, grinder, playmaker, power forward, sniper
Defensemen: defensive defenseman, offensive defenseman
Goalies: stand up, hybrid, butterfly

Want to be the next Sidney Crosby?  Become a playmaker.  Think you may be the next coming of Patrick Roy…choose a butterfly style goalie.  Point is, you get to tailor your own player and make him into a superstar…that is, if you have the skills to back it up.

So how do the RPG elements work?  As you play online with your created skater you will be awarded hockey cards which give you points to spend on your player’s growth in three areas: offense, defense, and athleticism for skaters and reflexes, puck control, and athleticism for goalies.  You may choose to level up your player across any of the three areas.  Even better, if you decide at any point in your career to change player types you retain all of the points you have earned and can redistribute your skill points to the new player type.

So how is it like an MMO?  All of this player development takes place online in the EASHL with teams made up entirely of gamers just like you.  You will have to work with your team and play your position if you are to have any chance of winning.  Players can emerge online as snipers, grinders or shutdown defensive specialists.  Best of all, it will be your name the opponents fear.  As you prove yourself online you will ascend the leaderboards and can challenge for the distinction of being the best player in the game at your position.  For once the leaderboards truly will mean something.

For anyone that has ever played a sports game this has to come as exciting news.  Finally, gamers have the chance to prove themselves in a system that rewards the player for playing better than everyone else.  Maybe it will finally help answer the question that all sports fans ask…who is the best?

If you want to learn more about the game be sure to check out the official NHL 2009 website here.