One of Russia's most distinguished game developer and publisher, 1C company, has announced two new game projects that will be their first on the next generation consoles. The two games are based on Captain Blood novels and the successful IL-2 Sturmovik flight combat simulation series.  Both are now heading to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (to North America with help), but even handhelds will feel some love as well.

Fans of real-time strategy games In North America who can never get enough of World War II-based carnage have something to look forward to, because cdv Software Entertainment USA just announced that it inked a deal with Battlefront.com to finally ship Theatre of War stateside. Since its first iteration, this RTS received major upgrades and is well on its way to impress as a full retail game instead of just a download. More details are stationed at the full article.

It's games like these that are so unknown yet so great that probably make you wonder why we haven't covered them in our blogs. Despite graphics that would only rival that of the first Call of Duty, Theatre of War, created by Russia-based 1C Company (popular for IL-2 Sturmovik) and Battlefront.com (popular for Combat Mission franchise), is a true blue WWII strategy game that slaps the "strategy" in games like Company of Heroes silly.

In an attempt to market the game around the world and increase the game's exposure since its release back in April 19, 2007, Battlefront has announced an official video contest up on YouTube that will allow owners of the free demo or the full international release version of Theatre of War to record their "wow, you gotta see this!" moments from inside the game.

Winners will get to receive Theatre of War posters or T-shirts (whichever they prefer) and ultimately one shall get the chance to hop on over to Russia to meet the developers, in an all expense paid trip and a two-night hotel stay. Additionally, those who voted the top 10 videos on the contest will also be given a chance to win 10 posters or T-shirts. To vote, hop over to the contest channel through the "Read" link provided below.

Developer and publisher Atari today announced its planned long-term relationship with 1C Company. The latter is one of the leading publisher and distributor of computer games in Russia, Eastern and Central Europe. This partnership gives Atari exclusive first rights to distribute as well as co-publish upcoming 1C titles throughout North America including online distribution.

The deal involves every single console (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii), handheld consoles (DS, PlayStation Portable), Games for Windows platform, online formats, and even mobiles. The first ever video game that will be brought to the U.S. because of this deal is expected some time this year.

Robert Stevenson, VP Business Development and Third Party at Atari, explained that this move will prove to be beneficial to their company because the Russian and Eastern European markets are teeming with innovative and engaging video game titles. Stevenson added:

1C has demonstrated the special ability to source, develop and nurture these products. Leveraging our strength in software distribution and our relationship with 1C, we believe that we will offer our retail partners a wider-array of products that appeal to the broad tastes of gamers in North America.

Some of IC Company's upcoming and current projects include Theater of War, Sniper, Pacific Fighters, IL-2 Sturmovik, IL-2 Sturmovik: The Forgotten Battles, and Konung.

 

For an event that reportedly shrank down in order to give even the smaller voices some chance in the spotlight, the new E3's "complete" list of publishers and developers is a bit disappointing to say the least. Only 32 companies (far from last year's 400) are listed in the announcement made available to the press.

The companies are: 1C Company, Activision, Akella, Atari, Atlus, Disney Interactive Studios, Capcom, Codemasters, Crave Entertainment, Eidos, Electronic Arts, Konami, LucasArts, Majesco, Microsoft, Midway, Namco Bandai Games, NCsoft, Nintendo, Sega, Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony Online Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, THQ, Ubisoft, Vivendi Games, and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

The reformatted E3 will consist of an exhibit hall in Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, and company-run demos in nearby hotels. Third-party press conferences will be held in a common location while platform holders will have their own bashes. The big three, Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, are yet to make any announcements regarding the event.

Invitations are expected to number between 3,000 and 4,000 a fraction compared to last year's 60,000.

The new E3 is set to take place on July 11 to 13.

 

The WWII real-time strategy video game from 1C Company and Battlefront.com, Theatre of War, has been reported to have already gone gold, and has been given a April 19 release date.

In preparation for the video game's release, Battlefront.com has multiplied its file hosting capacity by partnering with Fileburst. This action was prompted by a high demand and large pre-orders of Theatre of War for PCs.

Theatre of War will have players fighting in any of the 5 historical campaigns - France, Germany, Poland, USSR, and UK/U.S. - while they command hundreds of different units in the game. The developers have said that this game won't be another WW2 RTS "click-fest" as players will have to use real world military tactics for this thrilling Real Time Combat Simulator.

We'll keep everyone posted for developments. In the meantime, take a look at this short Theatre of War introduction movie.

Find yourself a little confused with all the names cropping up for this month's Game Developers Conference (GDC)? It shouldn't be too surprising - aside from being a major demonstrations and announcements area  for established heavyweights like Sony and Nintendo, the conference is also a potential starting point for young aspiring developers and publishers by way of its Game Connections event. This event will provide these young publishers and developers with a chance to meet and (possibly) sign contracts for what could  become the next generation of hot titles.

Now, given the large number of companies setting up shop at the event grounds, we thought everybody could benefit from this complete list of exhibitors. Game Connection@GDC is set for March 5 to 6, with Game Connection Services following up on March 8 to 9. Both events will be taking place in the Moscone Theater's South Hall at San Francisco.

Here are some of the GDC 2007 attendees:

• 1C Company
• Game Refuge Inc
• Pinata
• Akella Games
• GI Play Technologies
• Anyfun games
• Gamesauce
• Play Ten Interactive
• Artificial Mind & Movement
• GSC Game World

The full list revealed at full article.

This is Ascension to the Throne. The story revolves around the last offspring of the ancient family Illiar, which has ruled Eden for ages. But as with all who holds power, challenge is inevitable. The castle faces attacks from traitorous enemies who have killed the prince's family and have wreaked destruction upon the settlement.

A powerful magician caused him to be thrown into a land far away, and our hero is alone. His mission then is to avenge the injustice done unto his family, regain the title stolen from him, and finally ascend to the throne.

This turn-based strategy game from 1C Company is tinged with RPG element and will have the following features:

• Open ended non-linear gameplay
• Combination of real-time movement around the game world and turn-based battles
• Large-scale tactical battles. Up to 22 squads (up to 16 units in each)
• Players are not bounded by separate missions. They can go to any part of the game world and explore it. The game world is integral and players are free to choose any direction
• Original concept. The Hero is the player, and instead of giving orders and watching the battles from a safe place, he participates in them by himself. But remember, that you can easily loose your Hero in the heat of a battle.

U. S. release date is TBA as of yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted. In the meantime, take a look at the images to see a glimpse of the adventure over at Full Article.

Go on click "Full Article"...you know you want to.

1C Company, makers of IL-2 Sturmovik series and Pacific Fighters, have reportedly moved the release dates of 11 titles to Q1 next year. One title's release was narrowed down to Q1 while the other titles to be released on the same period were mostly delayed games that previously sported 2006 release dates. Nearly all of the games are for the PC, except for Captain Blood which is slated for the 360.

Here's the list from BluesNews.com:

• Adrenalin 2: Rush Hour - a sequel to the race reality show mixed with RPG elements
• A.I.M. 2: Clan Wars - sci-fi first person action RPG by SkyRiver Studios
• Ascension to the Throne - a turn based strategy game
• Captain Blood - a title for the Xbox360, a game adaptation of the novel by Rafael Sabatini
• PT Boats: Knights of the Sea - a naval simulator set on WWII
• Swashbucklers: Blue vs. Grey - a naval Action RPG game set during the American Civil War
• Theatre of War - a WWII real time strategy game
• The Tomorrow War - a space simulator based on novels by Russian author, Alexander Zorich
• Whirlwind of Vietnam: UH-1 - a helicopter simulator
• XIII Century - a real-time strategy game set in the Medieval period
• Mythic Wars - a fantasy turn-based strategy game

1C Company was founded in 1991 and is a leading player as a publisher and distributor of computer games in Eastern and Central Europe.

Thanksgiving's just finished, and as we're packing up the leftovers and polishing off the apple pie, we're letting you know there's more holiday goodies on the way as game developer 1C announces the release of a new set of treats for their upcoming Theatre of War title.

Set in WWII, the Theatre of War RTS will offer players a chance to play one of six major factions - US, UK, France, Germany, USSR, Poland - as they fight through 40 campaigns worth of battles and skirmishes taking place on both the Western and Eastern fronts of World War II. Up for grabs are nine new gameplay vids showcasing some of the game's highlights, from artillery strikes and tank blitzes, to infantry assaults. Take special note of the Germans, who will also be a focus in these videos of the frontline.

Download: [Theatre of War goodies 1]
Download: [Theatre of War goodies 2]
Download: [Theatre of War goodies 3]