Sometimes we wonder how many little girls open up their birthday presents and find a horse themed video game in lieu of an actual equine. Based on the sheer number of horse games in the past couple years it seems like it'd be the country's leading cause of disappointed little girls. But with My Horse and Me for the Nintendo Wii, W!Games may have created a game that will actually destroy anyone's desire to ever own a horse.

Instead of the American heartland farm setting of many horse games, My Horse and Me puts the player in the role of a professional show jumper. Players compete in events in scenic New England (or maybe European) areas.

via wii.ign.com

Videogames have been electing us as virtual mayors and tasking us with building simulated civilizations since the late eighties. The gameplay mechanics of urban planning, resource management, and crowd control are well known to strategy gamers. In that sense, Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery doesn't have much new to offer. It plays like an 18th century version of SimCity, allowing history buffs to colonize the New World with their stylus. The lack of innovation doesn't mean a lack of fun, though, and Anno offers -- with a few exceptions -- a thoroughly enjoyable strategy experience.

There was quite a bit going on back in 1701. While each game starts out with a blank slate and lets you casually begin construction of your settlement, the society will soon spiral almost out of your control. Requests for more food, more spices, more cotton come in from all areas of your town. While you're working hard trying to appease one group of residents, the rest are complaining that they're being neglected. On a very small scale, it gives the player some appreciation of how difficult a life of public service must be.

via ds.ign.com

Developers Vicious Cycle Software have offered up the studio's cross-platform Vicious Engine middleware to students attending the Indiana University School of Education, giving those aspiring to a life of game development some helpful hands-on time with real-world tools.

But don't go expecting the university to churn out the next Puzzle Quest or Dead Head Fred, as according to the school, students will be using the engine to make so-called 'serious games." Students' games will be "designed to teach various subjects of their choosing," and will be part of a larger university study on "how people learn through games." Even so, we imagine the experience will likely prove invaluable for those students wanting to eventually grease the wheels of game development with their sweat and blood.

via joystiq.com

According to this week's Famitsu magazine, Bandai Namco Games has announced its latest flight simulation game, tentatively titled Sky Crawlers. Under development by the same team that brought us Ace Combat (pictured), the game is based on Mamoru Oshii's (Ghost in the Shell, Innocence) latest animation movie of the same name.

The Wiimote and nunchuk will serve as the throttle (to control speed) and control sticks (to control the aircraft) respectively. Other maneuvers will be unlocked, allowing players to go behind enemy aircraft and perform advanced flight actions. Specific details on how controls will work in the title are still scarce, but we expect to hear more before the game's scheduled fall release in Japan.

via 1up.com

A lawsuit started against Atari in 2005 by RollerCoaster Tycoon game designer Chris Sawyer has finally come to a close, with both parties agreeing to an out-of-court settlement paid to Sawyer. Develop reports that the closure of the suit might have been influenced by new Infogrames CEO David Gardner, who is tasked with revitalizing Atari's tarnished image.

As we originally reported back in 2005, Chris Sawyer sued publisher Atari over unpaid royalties, which at the time were estimated at $4.8 million USD. Details of the settlement have not been disclosed, though at this point no loss of money for Atari can be seen as a good loss.

via joystiq.com

Yesterday was the rolling restart of Second Life simulators to a new software version suffered a setback when a "potentially significant" performance problem was identified. Thought the nature of the problem hasn't been identified, Linden Lab considers it severe enough to back off the restart, and roll simulators back to the previous version.

via massively.com

NASA has put out its feelers as it searches for parties interested in developing an MMO that simulates space missions. The proposed MMO would be targeted at students who could become the next generation of astronauts, the BBC reports...

via next-gen.biz

The US Army has founded a new project office for games that will focus on training simulators. The new project office is called TPO Gaming, short for Training and Doctrine Command’s (TRADOC) Project Office for Gaming, and is part of TRADOC’s National Simulation Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan...

via next-gen.biz

Simple pleasures, simple fun. Fishing in real life is an enjoyable way to commune with nature in a quiet setting on the lake. Fishing on a console system can also be fun, even though it’s not outside. It’s a way to make that perfect catch and have it recorded for history...

via wii.gamezone.com

If you think of Koei as a developer that primarily focuses on shallow hack-n-slash and stuffy Japanese history simulations, prepare to be unsurprised. Today the company announced that they will be resurrecting the long-running Nobunaga's Ambition series in North America with the release of Nobunaga's Ambition: Rise to Power for the PlayStation 2...

via 1up.com

President Bush, during a recent visit to a rehabilitation center for injured veterans, found time to sit with the soldiers and play some video games. This begs the question - when you play some games with the president, do you have to let him win?...

via joystiq.com

Help your Sims build a life from scratch after washing ashore on a deserted tropical island. Overcome the forces of nature to help them become the ultimate survivors and thrive in this undiscovered paradise while unearthing clues that will lead them back to civilization...

via ebgames.com

And before you get all uppity and start hurling stacks of duct-taped Gamecubes at the poor man, consider that his opinion isn't based entirely on console innards. In an interview with Guardian Unlimited, Will Wright gives us some insight into what goes on beneath the television in his living room. While the renowned designer confesses a love for Guitar Hero (Wright is a human: confirmed), he notes that the Xbox 360 is left to gather dust while the Wii and PC keep him occupied.Read the rest of this entry »

via driving.joystiq.com

Click on the image above to download Gundam Wallpaper...

Okay, so it probably wouldn't push a ton of PS3 units here in the U.S., but considering Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire was the second-biggest selling title for the Japanese PS3 launch, this bundle should work out just fine over there.

Namco Bandai and Sony are teaming up to deliver what should be a fast-selling PS3 bundle in Japan. One online Japanese retailer reported yesterday that Sony plans to release a PS3 hardware bunlde pack to commemorate the March 1 Japanese release of Gundam Musou. They love their Gundam over there, and this bundle, featuring a 60GB PS3, a copy of the game, a Gundam Musou art and technical file, and 8 Gundam Musou art cards, should be a hot seller...more click on heading

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Ubisoft this week announced that it will release Blazing Angels Secret Mission for Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360 and the PC this spring. The game is the follow-up to the flight combat game, Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII.

In the game players will take the role of an elite pilot to combat experimental weapons of the Third Reich...more click on heading

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