DGamer and Prince Caspian

Disney Interactive Studios announced the availability of DGamer in North America for Nintendo DS today. The debut of Disney Interactive Studios' new online community comes with the launch of the Nintendo DS version of Disney/Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian . Players can now use their Nintendo DS to interact with each other via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and online as well, via the DGamer website (www.dgamer.com). DGamer is scheduled to be integrated, at no additional cost, in following Disney Interactive Studios Nintendo DS titles, and is also being prepared for other, international regions for 2009.

DGamer uses the community technology from Disney.com to allow players to log into their Nintendo DS or online accounts and create a customized 3D avatar and persistent profile (an unchanging profile that can be used with any of the following titles). Aside from being able to outfit their avatar with all sorts of Disney franchise related attire, DGamer users can chat, view their DGamer friends' profiles and post their scores to leaderboards. In addition, players earn “honors” (is that like Achievements and Gamerscore?) which represent what players have been rewarded when completing in-game missions. Honors can also trigger unlockables such as special gear for player’s avatars, (Achievements and Gamerscore with benefits?) all of which transfer automatically between the DGamer Web site and the DGamer feature in Nintendo DS games from Disney when users log in. In the case of Prince Caspan , this means that players can unlock Prince Caspian character costumes that their avatar can wear. Certain “honors” also unlock exclusive content in Nintendo DS games from Disney and within the DGamer channel online.

Disney is also urging parents to take an active role in their children's use of DGamer, since the community comes with parental controls, which let parents specify the level of interactivity their children have online. “DGamer was built around the vision to connect Disney video game fans in a secure, fun environment and it is truly the first integrated online community of its kind to do so on multiple platforms,” said Graham Hopper, executive vice president and general manager for Disney Interactive Studios. “We recognize the importance of delivering unique experiences to our consumers and how crucial it is for parents to feel confident that the community is secure for their kids.”

DGamer is currently available with the Nintendo DS version of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian , which is available now for $29.99 USD and CAD and is rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and up. The game's release comes just in time for the theatrical release of the film, which releases in theatres tomorrow. The console and PC versions of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian are also available for Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 for $49.99 USD and CAD and for Playstation 2 for $29.99 USD and CAD and are rated T for Teen.

The Sims push IKEA stuff

Electronic Arts' The Sims Label announced details for a new The Sims 2 expansion pack today, featuring one gargantuan advertisement for Scandinavian furniture giant IKEA. The new pack is called The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff and it features a selection of products from IKEA for key living spaces in your Sims' home, including the bedroom, living room and home office.

Players can now fill their homes with IKEA products like the EKTORP sofa and LEKSVIK coffee table, turning their living rooms into a heavenly comfort zone. If your Sim works at home, why not improve their work environment by adding a HELMER drawer unit or KILA lamp? And no bedroom would be complete without a MALM bed and matching chest of drawers. Finally, for the Sim who just can't find comfort in the washroom, no matter what fully featured amenities they have, there's the YOBDUB toilet seat warmer...

Okay, we made that last one up.

As it turns out, the creation of the new expansion pack was brought about by user demand. “Players of The Sims have asked for IKEA by name, and if you look at the living spaces they design, it reflects the style of IKEA,” said Steve Seabolt, Vice President Global Brand Development for The Sims , adding, “The IKEA collaboration with The Sims echoes the desire of players to see real-world brands and products for which they have affinity integrated into gameplay. The Sims’ successful collaborations with Ford and H&M prove this to be a great and enjoyable experience for the player.”

The Sims 2 IKEA Home Stuff will be available in North America on June 23 ^rd for $19.99 USD and CAD, across the Asia-Pacific regions on June 20 ^th and in Europe on June 27 ^th for €1 4.99 and is rated T for Teen. Considering the fact that this new pack is essentially one big advertisement that players are going to be paying for, we're a little surprised that EA didn't at least take the opportunity to require players' Sims to build the furniture themselves and actually gain some skill points for the whole endeavor.

EA working on The Sims 3

While we don't have much information at the moment, we do know that Electronic Arts' The Sims Label is currently working on designing the next full installment of The Sims franchise. The Sims 3 is currently scheduled for release some time in 2009 and will feature a new seamless, living neighbourhood that your Sims will be able to explore freely, an all new Create A Sim that introduces unlimited customization, new realistic personalities for every Sim, and new unlimited customization for everything in the game.

In The Sims 3 , players' Sims will finally be able to roam freely around their neighbourhood, visiting neighbours' homes, meeting with friends hanging out at the park and more. The new Create A Sim will gives you more options for customization than ever before. Using the new easy-to-use design tools, you can take complete control over your Sims' shape, size, muscular definition, facial features, precise skin tone, etc. Take it a step further with the new realistic personalities and each and every Sim you creates can be completely unique each time. You'll be able to select up to twelve different personalities traits, including brave, artistic, loner, perfectionist, “klepto”, romantic, clumsy and more, and combine them in fun ways to create something more than a living doll that looks to fill its own basic needs. Finally, The Sims 3 's unlimited customization means everything in the game, from your Sims' house to the flowers, shirts to sofas, wallpapers to window shades, is all customizable. Want to see how your favourite couch will look in a different colour? Or maybe you don't like that fountain in the middle of your town square. Change it up! And if you're strapped for ideas, don't worry. There are still pre-designed buildings and furnishings available.

We'll have more news on The Sims 3 as it becomes available. For more information on The Sims 3 check out www.thesims3.com. This game is not yet rated.

XBLA update

Microsoft launched this week's Xbox Live update yesterday morning. Unfortunately, we forgot to post it, so here it is. This week saw the arrival of Assault Heroes 2 , the sequel to the 2006 IGN Xbox Live Arcade Game of the Year. "Assault Heroes 2" reveals that the original enemy in "Assault Heroes" is merely a pawn of a more sinister force, which players must now seek out and destroy. Armed with stronger weaponry and the ability to hi-jack more powerful enemy units, players must prepare to face relentless enemies and outrageous bosses in climactic battles, including an all-out skirmish in outer space.

In the sequel, players can experience the full fury of war outside of the safety of their vehicle with even more intense on-foot gameplay, where increased firepower and the new dodge roll feature are necessary to survive. Players can choose to fight alone or battle with a friend using the enhanced two-player cooperative mode. Either way, players will travel through diverse and interactive environments on land and in space to overcome the newest enemy and save mankind. Assault Heroes 2 is available now via the Xbox Live Marketplace worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated T for Teen.