Pac-Man’s Giving Away a Smart Car for His 30th Birthday? He’s Got it Backwards

Okay, so Google was already on the ball today about Pac-Man finally celebrating his 30th birthday. (Really, he doesn’t look a day over 25!) Blue Planet Software, which currently manages everything having to do with the little yellow guy, is having their own little celebration. Yeah, his “real” birthday isn’t until tomorrow (the original Pac-Man game was released in the U.S. on May 22, 1980), but he’s still one of the most recognized video game characters ever. And the best part is that he hasn’t lost relevance – he’s the best symbol of retro gaming around! People still love him (the largest Pac-Man game ever involved turning Manhattan into the game board back in 2004), and Namco (the game’s original creators) are giving back a little of that love with a special contest in which the grand prize is a specialized Smart Car. From May 21 through August 20, if

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Google celebrates Pac-Man’s 30th Anniversary

Through the years we have seen Google celebrate a number of thing with their logo on their opening  search page. Different holidays,sporting events such as the Olympics, and ever random events that you would only know about because they are an image on the Google opening page. Now, Google and Namco have joined together to celebrate Pac Man’s 30th Anniversary.  The great thing about this logo is you can play it.  You get three lives and run Mr. Pac Man around the Google logo.  I won’t lie, I have been paying with it while writing this article.  All you have to is click on logo use your arrow keys to move around. Enjoy! http://www.google.com

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Pool Pro Online 3 Celebrates Successful Launch

Namco has announced Pool Pro Online 3 had more than 20,000 new community members and over 250,000 game sessions played since releasing the game on the iPad. Based on those numbers, Namco is looking forward to an equally successful PC launch. Namco is also celebrating a new iPhone title. Lt. Fly Rise of the Arachnids launched last week and it combines Shooter with Match 4 gameplay. Pool Pro Online 3 and Lt. Fly Rise of the Arachnids are both available from the Apple Apps Store.

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Namco Introducing 2 New Releases to the Apps Store

Namco Networks is introducing 2 new titles their line up. Tinseltown Dreams: The 50′s is a movie making match 3 game and allows players to make their own blockbusters. As players match and swap tiles, they are assuming the role of the director and are in charge of hiring, prop making and earning a budget. “Merging the best Match 3 mechanics with the ability to create your own films using characters, sets and props is unlike anything else on the App Store and provides hours of enjoyment,” stated Jonathan Kromrey, general manager of Apple Games for Namco Networks. Tinseltown Dreams: The 50′s is currently available on Apple’s App Store for $2.99. Also available from the Apps Store: The update to Garters & Ghouls- dual joystick shooter that was originally released last Halloween. Since last October, Namco has released this update to the game and publisher IDW has released graphic novels

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Namco Bandai Attempting World Record for Star Trek Online

Star Trek’s been around forever. Well, okay, not literally forever, but long enough that pretty much everyone knows what it is. Since Star Trek Online came out yesterday, Namco Bandai is looking for a special way to celebrate. They’ve found it: Getting as many dressed-up Star Trek fans to London’s Millenium Bridge by 1:00 p.m. on February 14th as possible. People from the Guinness Book of World Records will be on hand to make sure everyone is in full cosplay mode, and there will even be prizes. What kinds of prizes, you may ask? Well, try a lifetime subscription to the MMO, for one. The best-dressed fans will win subscriptions or even digital versions of the recent Star Trek movie. Sounds like it’s worth it, even if you’re a Redshirt.

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Review: Eternal Sonata

Eternal Sonata is similar to your classic Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) in that the characters have a very young appearance, combat is more or less turn-based, and the story has some aspects that are similar to other linear RPGs like Final Fantasy. Rating: T Players: 1 Genre: RPG Developer: Tri-crescendo Publisher: Bandai Namco Release Date: November 2007 BUY Eternal Sonata is similar to your classic Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) in that the characters have a very young appearance, combat is more or less turn-based, and the story has some aspects that are similar to other linear RPGs like Final Fantasy. What brings this game up a notch from other RPGs is the little tweaks to the combat system, the variety in characters and places, and the uniqueness of the theme of the game. Almost every single person and place, even some weapons and special abilities, is named after a musical

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See who sent holiday cards to the GamingAngels!

It’s Christmas eve, and I’m sure most are with their families today, but to add in some extra holiday cheer we wanted to share with you some of the fun holiday cards that we received!  We’re very greatful for the holiday wishes, and hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

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Tekken 6 gets free update

Perhaps while you’ve been playing Tekken 6, you’ve noticed that some things don’t feel right. Or could be improved. Well Namco Bandai has heard you and is providing a free downloadable update for the 360 and PS3 version of Tekken 6. The update is scheduled for release on November 26. The update improves and fixes problems that users have run into like the following: • Improved input response: improvement of the game’s responsiveness to button / command inputs; • Selectable search priorities for ranked matches: players will be able to set search priorities for opponents in ranked matches based on comparable rank or connection quality as well as location; • Optimized data transmission between fighters and spectators: fight data will be optimized in order to reduce the bandwidth load on the host’s console; • Signal strength bars: the signal strength bar will reflect connection quality more accurately; • Chance to

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London MCM Expo – October 2009

Yes, it’s back and with every aim to be bigger and better than any other MCM that has come before. The London Movies, Comics and Media Expo is exploding back onto the London scene this October with a dazzling display designed to welcome back regulars and wow newcomers. Now incorporating a extra hall, the MCM is growing and this year promises to be nothing short of impressive. Leading guests showcasing the weekend will include the cast from Warehouse 13, the US hit show, Ronny Cox of Total Recal, Robo Cop and Stargate fame, the leading ladies from the UK hit Merlin, as well as stars from shows such as True Blood and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the far side of the ring, Games contenders looking to seduce the visitors will include playable previews of Tekken 6, Assassin’s Creed 2, Borderlands and Monster Hunter Tri as well as the staple, dependable

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Meet Namco Networks – an Interview

My first interview of the day was with Bo Bandy, Senior Marketing Manager of Namco Games. Namco Games is a part of Namco Networks, a worldwide multimedia conglomerate. She showed me a couple of games they have coming up for release sometimes later this year, one a match three with an interesting story aspect that will take players into Hollywood, and one a hidden object game with some interesting elements that are out of the ordinary paired with some beautiful artwork. We discussed the emergence of Namco Games in the industry and what’s happening to the Casual Games space today. GA - Tell me a little bit about Namco games, because it’s relatively new to me. Bo - In New York, we are really well known for our console group and what we’re doing on consoles. That’s actually our sister subsidiary company, so we operate completely independent of them. What

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