Gaming Paradise opens in Ann Arbor, MI

The gaming gods looked down upon the earth and said, “something is missing, there must be something more”, and so they commanded National Amusements to construct a place where gamers can go to play and enjoy their pastime. While the story may not have gone exactly like that, National Amusements, a worldwide motion picture exhibition company, announced the upcoming opening of CyGamZ, its new cutting-edge entertainment facility for interactive gaming. CyGa mZ features state-of-the art equipment and games that will blow-away even the most skilled and competitive hard-core gamers, but also offers a safe, enjoyable family-friendly atmosphere for all ages. The venue has attracted sponsors such as Alienware, Intel and Pepsi, and features 60 Alienware Area-51 7500 PCs running Intel's Core 2 Extreme processors, the latest game consoles, headsets and monitors. The facility also boasts multiple bonded T-1 lines, meaning lag will be no issue. The arena will also host major game tournaments and attract top gamers from across the nation. The arena opens at Showcase Cinemas Ann Arbor, Michigan, on December 1, 2006, and will feature a weekend full of events celebrating the launch.

The venue is run on a pay-to-play system, in which patrons can play with a number of friends at one time, create a social-interactive environment, or add an on-line competition element for the ultimate gaming experience. The arena offers high-tech audio and visual displays with 20 inch fast response LCD flat screen monitors for players. Patrons and visitors can view live gaming action on the oversized digital projection system and plasma screens while enjoying the comfortable, attractive dining area serving Pepsi products in both fountain and 20 oz. bottles, as well as a wide range of meals and snacks, featuring Doritos and Oberto Meat Snacks. The arena also offers party rooms which can be used for private gaming parties or business meetings. The best part is that National Amusements plans for this to only be the first in a number of similar facilities. Soon, we could see more CyGamZ popping up around the U.S. For full information on the CyGamZ venue, you can check out www.cygamz.com.

Flyboys Squadron gets major update

iEntertainment Network announced a majo r update for Flyboys Squadron, the World War I combat flight simulator based upon the MGM movie Flyboys, today. The update features new terrain, missions and new graphic and frame rate improvements. Players need only to access the update feature on their game start menu to get this free update. IENT continuously updates its entire TotalSims series of simulations.

Ientertainment is also running a special contest. All Flyboys Squadron players who register at the Flyboys Squadron Game Website or register while installing the game will have a chance to win a fighter pilot ride from Air Combat USA Fighter Pilot for a Day . At least one player will get the chance to fly a real Marchetti SF-260 with a real fighter pilot taking on another real pilot in the sky!

New City of Heroes expansion available

NCsoft and Cryptic Studios announced the release of their eighth free expansion for City of Heroes today. Issue 8: “To Protect and Serve” delivers a host of new features starting out with a wide-variety of veteran rewards for players who have had a City of Heroes or City of Villains account for three months or more. The rewards are given in increments of three months of active play, and include special powers, base items, badges and costume pieces such as wings. The veteran rewards program is retroactive by player account and rewards will be applicable to all characters within each respective account. Building on the tradition of super-powered crime fighting, Issue 8 is introducing Safeguard Missions w here heroes will be given a limited time to halt major crimes being committed by super-powered villains and their henchmen. Using the new police band contacts, heroes will be alerted to attacks on Paragon City business, resulting in high-intensity action as players battle to prevent heists and city destruction from occurring. These missions are similar to the City of Villains Mayhem Missions introduced in Issue 7, but with an even more frantic reactive tone to the action. Monthly fees will still stay the same, though, at $14.99 USD per month. For more information on the games, go to www.cityofheroes.com or www.cityofvillains.com.