June 2006 Archives
The side-scrolling adventure for the DS, New Super Mario Bros. is now available in Europe. The game is already approaching two million games sold in North America and Japan combined.
Electronic Arts has named Elliott Sadler as the cover athlete for its game NASCAR '07.
Continue reading Elliott Sadler Named NASCAR '07 Cover Athlete.
The massively multiplayer online game Age of Conan – Hyborian Adventures being developed and published by FunCom is now officially in beta testing. FunCom wants to remind everyone interested in Beta Testing that active FunCom forum participants will get preferential access to the Beta.
The Guild Wars Factions team is holding a live event this weekend (June 30 through July 4) at the Shing Jea Monastery called the Dragon Festival. The live event will include carnival games, new quests and special PvP action.
Stray Bullet Games, the developer that rose from the ashes of Wolfpack Studios and is maintaining the massively multiplayer game Shadowbane wants to remind everyone that the game is still alive and functional.
Continue reading Shadowbane Still Alive, Thanks to a Stray Bullet.
Beginning on July 3, THQ will be included in the NASDAQ exchange's "NASDAQ Global Select Market." Companies included on this list tend to be in stronger financial shape than the overall market.
Codemasters' massively multiplayer online game RF Online has launched its first major update. The new content includes heavy modifications to the game's Battle Dungeons, and 24 more Battle Dungeons.
Ubisoft announced that it is opening a studio in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Continue reading Ubisoft Opens Studio in Bulgaria.
Parks Associates, a market research firm, is looking to sell a new study on electronic gaming, but has released some interesting teaser information on the study.
Continue reading Mobile Gamers Are Predominantly Women.
Matrix Games has released its game Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm.
Continue reading Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm Released for PC.
Activision has released a new pack of maps for the Xbox 360 version of Call of Duty 2.
Continue reading Call of Duty 2: Invasion Map Pack Released for Xbox 360.
The Cinemaware Marquee label of publisher eGames has shipped its game for the PC, Darwinia, to stores in North America. The game was the Grand Prize winner at the 2006 Independent Games Festival.
Codemasters confirmed that it still plans to release its dancing game Dance Factory for the PlayStation 2 in August.
Continue reading Dance Factory to Allow Dancers to Use Their Own Music.
Bethesda Softworks has shipped its game Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow for the PlayStation 2 and PC to stores in North America.
Continue reading The Legend of Jack Sparrow Ships for PC and PlayStation 2.
Kuma Reality released the 75th episode for its game Kuma\War. The latest installment in this subscription-based episodic FPS is called "The Death of Zarqawi" and recreates the events surrounding Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death. The episode also allows players to ignore strategic bombing and engage in an infantry assault against Zarqawi.
Publisher Ladyluck Digital Media has shipped its game TerraWars: NY Invasion to stores in North America. This PC game is a first-person shooter that costs just under $20.
Mobile publisher Player One has launched its game Michael Vaughan Cricket 06/07. The game is a cricket game featuring famed cricketer Michael Vaughan.
2K Games, part of Take-Two Interactive, announced that its game Prey has gone gold, is in duplication and should ship in mid-July. The game will reach North America on July 11 and Europe on July 14. Prey is a first-person shooter for the PC and Xbox 360.
eGames has shipped Deep Sea Tycoon: Diver's Paradise for the PC to stores. The game was developed by Pixel After Pixel, a developer of bargain tycoon games, and is the latest game in the Deep Sea Tycoon series of PC simulations.
THQ has shipped its game Juiced: Eliminator for the PSP to stores in North America. This is a street racing game that allows players to compete over the PSP's wireless connection.
Bionatics, a provider of middleware that models plants in 3D, has released version 4 of its natFX software, compatible with 3ds max.
Continue reading Bionatics Releases version 4 of natFX Middleware.
Eidos responded to the refusal of the Australian Office of Film and Literature to classify its upcoming game Reservoir Dogs.
Continue reading Eidos Describes Australia as "Unfortunate".
Square Enix confirmed that its game Final Fantasy XII will be released in North America on October 31 of this year. The game has already reportedly sold 2.4 million copies in Japan.
The Cinemaware Marquee label of publisher eGames has shipped its game Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege for the PC to stores in North America. The game explores battles on the Eastern Front of WWII from the German and Soviet perspectives.
Atari announced that it will release Point Blank DS for the DS system later this year. The game is based on the Japanese coin-op shooting game converting light-gun play into touch-screen mayhem.
Atari announced that it will release Point Blank DS for the DS system later this year. The game is based on the Japanese coin-op shooting game converting light-gun play into touch-screen mayhem.
Midway confirmed that Robert J. Steele has been added to the Board of Directors of Midway Games, following last week's annual meeting of stockholders. Steele has been a Vice President of National Amusements since 2004 and served before that with companies such as Pepsi.
THQ has shipped its PC role-playing game Titan Quest to stores in North America. The game is an action/role-playing game in which players battle through the ancient world.
THQ has shipped its PC role-playing game Titan Quest to stores in North America. The game is an action/role-playing game in which players battle through the ancient world.
Publisher: NCsoftDeveloper: NetDevil
Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: 1.6 GHz Processor, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0c, GeForce 4 Ti 4200 or ATI Radeon 8500 video card (or comparable), 10 GB HD space, internet connection
The apocalypse is no longer nigh. It happened nearly one hundred years ago when humanity unleashed its entire arsenal of weapons – nuclear, chemical and biological – in an effort to stop alien invaders. It was an invasion of the most horrifying sort. Extraterrestrial creatures never threatened us or even attempted peaceful contact. Instead, seemingly uncommunicative drones arrived on Earth and began terraforming our planet to suit the needs and environment of an alien species.
The atmosphere soon filled with greenish xenobiological goo and our planet's inhabitants quickly succumbed to alien contaminants and radiation. Plants, animals and insects mutated into new beasts. So did some humans. Human Mutants were feared and shunned – ultimately they were deemed a threat by the "normal" populace. To cope with both the alien invaders and the frightening changes, humanity engineered a vast cybernetic army slaved to an AI (known as Tempernet) and created an army of soldiers augmented with mechanical implants (now known as the Biomeks).
The situation quickly escalated out of control on every front, so humanity's elite moved underground and brought about doomsday. By setting off every weapon available, the human elite (unified by the Hestia corporation) hoped to return to the surface after it was cleared of horrors – both alien and human. A century has passed since Hestia invoked the "Genesis Solution" and pureblood humans have once again ventured from their shelters onto the surface of the planet. But the surface is hardly barren. Powerful enclaves of Mutants remain and armies of Biomeks are busy converting the remnants of humanity that survived, supplanting their failing organic parts with machinery and enlisting them into the Biomek order. Mutants hate their Human oppressors and Humanity's former Biomek servants. Biomeks hate the Humans for abandoning them to Armageddon. Humans fear both debased segments of humanity, as well as the alien agents of change. Somewhere amidst all this, smaller groups have united to survive and carve out their own niche in this fallen world while staying out of the way of the big three warring factions.
Life is rarely safe outside of heavily armed settlements and enclaves, and venturing outside is only advisible in a vehicle. A heavily armed vehicle. Preferably, a convoy of heavily armed vehicles.
Continue reading Auto Assault Review.
Alienware has launched a new line of notebooks, including the Area-51 m5750, Area-51 m5550 and Sentia m3450. The Area-51 notebooks are the latest of Alienware's gamer-oriented products, while the Sentia is made for mobile productivity.
Nintendo is excited to let everyone know it has inked a deal with the producers of the upcoming teen-oriented spy film Stormbreaker to include Nintendo's DS. In the film, 14-year-old spy Alex Rider will use a DS as a spy gadget, powered by various game cards.
When Publisher Atlus USA originally released its game Trauma Center: Under the Knife, there just weren't enough copies. As a result, Atlus announced that it is planning to ship more copies of Trauma Center: Under the Knife to stores at the end of July.
Sony has released the first pack of maps for the PlayStation 2 game SOCOM 3: US Navy SEALs. The pack of three maps will be free to SOCOM 3 players through July 11, at which time players will need to pay just under $6 to continue using the maps.
Publisher Webzen has entered into an agreement with Massive Incorporated, an in-game advertising firm. Massive will provide in-game advertising to two of Webzen's upcoming multiplayer online games, Huxley and All Points Bulletin.
D3Publisher of America has shipped its game Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie & the Amp for the DS to stores in North America. The game is based on the Cartoon Network animated series and has gamers guiding the Japanese pop rockers Ami and Yumi throughout the ancient world in search of notes for their upcoming world tour.
D3Publisher of America has shipped its game Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie & the Amp for the DS to stores in North America. The game is based on the Cartoon Network animated series and has gamers guiding the Japanese pop rockers Ami and Yumi throughout the ancient world in search of notes for their upcoming world tour.
Bandai has released a new version of the Tamagotchi pet for mobile phones. This is an updated version of the electronic pet first introduced as a stand-alone toy in 1996.
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the massively multiplayer online game Anarchy Online. To celebrate, the game is hosting special in-game events this weekend.
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution has launched its mobile game Superman Returns to promote the feature film of the same name that should reach theaters tomorrow.
Aspyr Media has shipped the Macintosh version of Sid Meier's Civilization IV to stores in North America. The game is already available for the PC.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped its anime fighter Naruto: Ultimate Ninja for the PlayStation 2 to stores in North America. The game is based on the anime series Naruto.
Nintendo has shipped Sudoku Gridmaster to stores in North America.
Continue reading Sudoku Gridmaster Ships for DS.
Sega wants to remind everyone that today is Sonic the Hedgehog's fifteenth anniversary. Sega also wants to remind you that they have a slew of new Sonic games in development, and also plan on re-releasing the original game as Sonic: The Hedgehog Genesis for the Game Boy Advance in November.
nVidia has brought Oscar Clark aboard to head up the companies "Mobile Operator Strategy" in Europe. Clark has considerable experience in marketing, including time spent at BT. Clark will focus on operator and developer relations in Europe.
The DS Lite, following successful launches in Japan and North America, is available in Europe as of today. For those not already aware, the DS Lite is a smaller, lighter and brighter version of the DS hardware.
SouthPeak Interactive has shipped its game for the Xbox, Crusty Demons. Crusty Demons should arrive in stores on Tuesday, June 27. The game itself is a combat racing game with vehicles ranging from bikes to ice-cream trucks.
The ESA is continuing to pursue unconstitutional laws. Today the ESA announced that it has filed suit demanding that the courts overturn the recently passed Oklahoma law prohibiting the sale of certain videogames to minors. The ESA is a trade association representing companies that publish games, so given the ESA, they aren't necessarily objective. But they happen to be right about the unconstitutionality of the Oklahoma law.
Bethesda Softworks is still planning to release the PlayStation 2 and PC versions of its game Pirates of the Caribbean: The Legend of Jack Sparrow on Tuesday. The game is based on the Disney ride and series of films. Bethesda also wants to let everyone know that Johnny Depp will provide the voice work for Captain Jack Sparrow in the game.
NCsoft has commented on rumors of significant layoffs at its Austin office.
Continue reading NCsoft Confirms Layoffs.
Codemasters has launched a PC demo for its game Micro Machines v4. The demo for this extra-small racing game can be found here
Developer Edge of Reality announced that it is working on a game called Cipher Complex. The project does not yet have a publisher, but is a military combat game the developer expects to complete for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2007.
Publisher Glu Mobile announced that it plans to launch a version of Alpha Wing for 3D Brew-capable mobile phones this fall.
Ubisoft has launched new downloadable content over Xbox Live! for its Xbox 360 game Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter. The new content includes multiplayer maps and an extension of the cooperative multiplayer campaign.
Electronic Arts announced that Alexander Ovechkin has been chosen as the cover athlete for NHL '07.
Continue reading Alexander Ovechkin Picked for NHL '07 Cover.
Nintendo wants to be sure that everyone knows how well its game, New Super Mario Bros. for the DS has been selling. According to Nintendo, more than a half-million copies of the game have already sold in the US alone.
Namco Bandai announced that it has shipped The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch for the PSP to stores in North America. This game is the latest role-playing game in the Legend of Heroes series known in Japan as the Gagharv Trilogy.
Konami announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Blue Label Interactive, a mobile game developer. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Publisher Buena Vista Games has shipped the handheld versions of its game Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest to stores in North America.
2K Sports, the sports label of Take-Two Interactive, announced that Joe Thornton has been named as the cover athlete for its hockey game NHL 2K7.
Continue reading Joe Thornton Named NHL 2K7 Cover Athlete.
1C Company, the Russian publisher that has been expanding throughout Central and Eastern Europe, is opening an office in the UK to gain more influence outside of its core territories. The UK office should open next month, and will be led by Peter King, who previously worked for Activision.
Electronic Arts announced that the next installment in the Need for Speed franchise should reach stores this November. Called Need for Speed: Carbon, the game will be released for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, GameCube, DS, Game Boy Advance, PSP and PC.
The Mobile Game Conference in Seattle next month is holding a contest for would-be mobile developers. Developers are invited to enter their ideas at the contest's official Site before June 30. The most promising entries will be invited to pitch their games before a live panel at the conference comprised of many mobile executives.
Electronic Arts announced that its game NFL Head Coach has reached stores.
Continue reading NFL Head Coach Ships to Stores.
Namco Networks, the mobile branch of Namco Bandai, has hired Jason Ford as the Vice President of Strategy and Planning.
Continue reading Jason Ford Joins Namco Networks.
BioWare, part of BioWare/Pandemic studios, is jumping up and down to let everyone know its registered fan community has now surpassed the three million member mark. To celebrate, the official community site is hosting contests and other activities.
Electronic Arts announced that it has selected Tracy McGrady to grace the cover of NBA Live '07.
Continue reading Tracy McGrady Chosen for NBA Live '07 Cover.
Publisher NCsoft and developer NetDevil have launched the first content update for the massively multiplayer online game Auto Assault. The update includes improved social features, the ability to respec characters and plenty of new content (including very high-level missions).
GarageGames, middleware provider and independent game publisher has released the Torque Game Builder for Windows and Mac platforms.
Continue reading Torque Game Builder Middleware Released.
Electronic Arts announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Mythic Entertainment, the developer and publisher responsible for Dark Age of Camelot that is currently working on Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.
Continue reading Electronic Arts to Acquire Mythic Entertainment.
Blizzard has launched the 1.11 patch for World of Warcraft. This update for the massively multiplayer online game adds a new raid dungeon (the Naxxramas necropolis) along with a large number of tweaks and improvements.
THQ has shipped its game MotoGP '06 for the Xbox 360 to stores in North America. MotoGP '06 is a motorcycle racing game from developer Climax.
Razer, a manufacturer of gaming peripherals, announced the availability today of the Razer Krait. The Krait is a 1,600 dpi mouse that can be purchased for just under $40.
Eidos has shipped its game Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend for the PSP to stores.
JupiterResearch, a market research firm, has released a new study on consumer behaviors, and while promoting this study (for sale through JupiterResearch) has revealed a few interesting predictions.
Continue reading Market Research Firm Predicts More Will Use DSL.
Saitek announced that it has shipped the Pro Gamer Command Pad, a left-handed key unit with the same illumination features used in the Eclipse Keyboard (that can be seen in the dark). The pad costs just under $40 and comes with a four-way hat switch, twenty buttons and an adjustable thumb control.
D3Publisher of America has shipped its game Break'em All for the DS today. The game is an arcade-style puzzle game in the style of Break Out
The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players' Association today confirmed that they have agreed to multi-year extensions to the licensing agreements that allow Electronic Arts and 2K Sports (part of Take-Two Interactive) to make hockey games with real teams and players.
Penalty Cup 3D, a mobile game from publisher Fishlabs was released today for Java-enabled handsets. The game allows players to participate in a dramatic soccer endgame penalty shootout.
Matrix Games announced that its game Panzer Command: Operation Winter Storm has gone gold, is in duplication and should be released late next week. The game is a 3D, WWII-themed strategy game for the PC
THQ filed a notice with the SEC to let investors know that on June 15 the company signed severance agreements with each of its executive officers.
Continue reading THQ Sets Severance Terms for Officers.
Mobile game publisher I-play announced that it has launched both 2D and 3D versions (for different handsets) of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo based on the recently released film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Both games allow players to engage in high-speed street racing.
Immersion Corporation announced that its next generation of vibration technology is now available for video game systems.
Continue reading Immersion Launches New Vibration Technology for Games.
Nintendo wants to remind everyone that Sudoku Gridmaster will ship on June 26 for the DS.
Continue reading Sudoku Gridmaster Shipping on June 26 for DS.
Xing Mobile has launched its latest mobile game, Bubu Kong's Banana Cakes for MIDP-2 phones. The game has Bubu Kong working off a sentence of community service in a bakery.
Publisher: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo
Platform: DS
Reviewed on DS
Brain Age proclaims: "Exercise is the key to good health, both for body and mind – and now there's finally a way to make mental exercise simple and fun. Inspired by the work of prominent Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, this software features activities designed to help stimulate your brain and give it the workout it needs. Using it for just a few minutes each day can make your brain feel fresh and sharp!"
Continue reading Brain Age Review.
Stray Bullet Games has launched a basic version of its official site.
Continue reading Stray Bullet Games Leaves the Barrel.
Ubisoft has launched the official site for its upcoming game, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent. The game will be released this September for the Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 2, GameCube and PC.
The Entertainment Software Association confirmed that it has filed suit in the Federal District Court of Baton Rouge, LA, seeking that the recent Louisiana Law (HB 1381) regulating game sales be struck down.
Continue reading ESA Files Suit Against Louisiana Game Law.
Eidos, part of the SCi Entertainment Group, announced that it is working on a "10th Anniversary Edition" of Tomb Raider. The game will ultimately be released for the PC, PSP and PC.
Pelican, manufacturer of peripherals, has launched a line of Cars-themed accessories for fans of the recently released animated film. Fans of Cars can purchase Cars-themed controllers for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube, as well as Cars-themed accessories for the PSP.
Logitech, the manufacturer of peripherals such as mice and speakers, announced that shareholders have approved a two-for-one stock split of Logitech stock. The stock split will be effective on July 17.
Majesco announced that it is working on a wrestling game for the DS based on the Nacho Libre film from Paramount Pictures starring Jack Black. The game, in which players "battle to be the ultimate Luchador," should be released in October.
CDV Software Entertainment's Glory of the Roman Empire for the PC is gold and should be released in North America on June 26. Glory of the Roman Empire is a city building simulation set in ancient Rome.
Publisher: NintendoDeveloper: Nintendo
Platform: DS
Reviewed on DS
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Princess Peach has been kidnapped. Again. In fact, it must be a very pleasant season in the Mushroom kingdom when Peach isn't kidnapped by Bowser, King of the Koopas, or one of his minions. This time, Princess Peach was enjoying a pleasant walk with Mario when she saw her castle struck by lightning and suddenly aflame. When Mario went to investigate, Peach was snatched by Baby Bowser. Now, Mario has to brave an assortment of traps, pits and hostile creature to rescue Peach. Again.
Continue reading New Super Mario Bros. Review.
UK developer Rebellion announced that it has reached an agreement with SCi Entertainment (parent of Eidos) to purchase the staff and assets of developer Core Design. The name "Core Design" will remain part of Eidos.
Electronic Arts announced that Richard Simonson is being nominated for a position on EA's Board of Directors. While the appointment needs to be ratified by shareholders at the next annual meeting, Simonson is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nokia.
While Midway had previously acquired the rights to publish titles in the Unreal franchise, Atari still held the rights to older Unreal titles. Today, Midway confirmed that it has acquired the retail publishing rights to some of Epic Games' older Unreal titles, and will publish an anthology of these games this fall.
Continue reading Midway Acquires Old Unreal Games and Plans Unreal Anthology.
SyNET Entertainment is making a move into publishing retail games, and announced that its first venture in this arena will be Shot-Online.
Continue reading SyNET Entertainment Signs on to Publish Shot-Online.
A site called CGEmpire has been formed to provide a forum for experienced developers and game industry veterans to help novices improve skills and break into the game industry.
Atari announced that it is working on Asterix and Obelix XXL 2 for the PSP and DS. The game is based on the classic comic series and should be released in Europe this November.
Atari, the majority-owned subsidiary of French Infogrames Entertainment SA, announced its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2006.
Continue reading Atari Lost $67 Million Over Last Fiscal Year.
Matrix Games announced that Harpoon 3: Advanced Naval Warfare is now available as a digital download for the PC, with boxed copies to follow next week. The game is a combined air-and-sea military simulation that supports multiplayer operations.
In addition to the premium adventure pack released today, Sony Online Entertainment has launched Live Update #24 for EverQuest.
Continue reading EverQuest Gets 24th Live Update.
Sony Online Entertainment has released the third downloadable adventure pack for EverQuest II, called The Fallen Dynasty.
Continue reading The Fallen Dynasty Falls for EverQuest II.
Nintendo is excited about the sales numbers for the updated version of the DS hardware, the DS Lite. According to Nintendo, during the first two days the unit was on sale in North America, around 136,500 units were sold.
Publisher JoWood has resorted to extreme measures to promote its upcoming role-playing game Gothic 3 and strategy game The Guild 2.
Continue reading JoWood Hires Mercenaries.
Sega confirmed that the expansion for Rome: Total War, called Rome: Total War – Alexander, will be available as a digital download on June 16, and will be generally available on June 19.
Turbine has launched considerable solo-friendly content for Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach. Now, in addition to the ability to select a difficulty level when entering a dungeon, players will be able to select "solo" for around twenty dungeons.
Publisher Paradox Interactive announced that it plans on publishing Perimeter: Emperor's Testament for PCs in North America on August 29. This game is the sequel to the science-fiction-themed real-time strategy game Perimeter.
Publisher JoWooD announced that it has entered into a joint venture with RTL Enterprises to bring Alpine Ski Racing 2007 to market this fall. The game will unite the Ski Racing and Ski Alpine brands into a single package.
Eidos has shipped its game Urban Chaos: Riot Response for the Xbox and PlayStation 2 to stores. The first-person shooter has players blasting criminals into tiny fragments.
Majesco announced that it is back in compliance with NASDAQ's requirements for continued listing.
Continue reading Majesco Will Remain on NASDAQ.
Parks Associates is selling a new study concerning in-game advertising, and has released a few information tidbits to tease folks into buying the study.
Continue reading Advertising in Games Inevitable, and Parks Associates Wants to Help.
Konami has shipped the Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel for the PSP.
Continue reading Metal Gear Solid Digital Graphic Novel Ships for PSP.
Eidos Interactive, part of the SCi group, confirmed that the PSP version of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend will ship to stores in North America on June 21.
Digital Leisure announced that it plans on releasing a High-Definition version of the classic coin-op game Dragon's Lair. Dragon's Lair HD will be released for DVD-capable PCs this fall.
Glu Mobile has launched a version of Sega's classic mobile game Virtua Tennis for mobile phones. Virtua Tennis Mobile Edition allows mobile gamers to play through a series of worldwide tennis tournaments.
Ignition Entertainment confirmed that Mercury Meltdown, the sequel to Archer Maclean's Mercury will be released in Europe for the PSP this September.
Micro Machines v4, the latest installment in the game of miniature car racing is gold and should be released in the UK on June 30 for the PlayStation 2, PSP and PC, with a DS version following soon after.
Atari announced that it is working on a sequel to the previously released Totally Spies! game based on the animated television series.
Continue reading Totally Spies! 2: Undercover Coming to DS and GBA.
CCP Games, the folks behind Eve Online recently launched an open Beta test in China. CCP Games wants everyone to know that over 200,000 Chinese players registered for the game during the first day of open Beta.
Bethesda Softworks confirmed that the next plug-in for its game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion will be available for download on Thursday, June 15.
Continue reading Mehrune's Razor Seeks Oblivion.
Aspyr Media has shipped the Macintosh version of Call of Duty 2 today. Now Mac owners can participate in the same WWII-themed action that PC and Xbox 360 owners have enjoyed.
Game publisher Anaconda has revamped its official site. The new site has a cleaner design and more information on Anaconda's games.
Got Game Entertainment announced that it has signed on to publish Barrow Hill: Curse of the Ancient Circle in North America.
Continue reading Barrow Hill Coming to PCs in August.
Agetec has shipped its game Armored Core Last Raven for the PlayStation 2 to stores in North America. Armored Core Last Raven is the tenth game in this series of 'mech combat,
Nintendo wants the world to know that it held a charity event on Sunday to simultaneously promote the release of the DS Lite and raise funds for pediatric AIDS research.
Continue reading Nintendo Promotes DS Lite While Demoting Pediatric AIDS.
2K Sports, part of Take-Two Interactive, has shipped the GameCube version of its Major League Baseball 2K6 baseball game to stores in North America.
Charles Bellfield has joined Capcom as Vice President of Marketing for Capcom's US headquarters.
Continue reading Bellfield Joins Capcom as VP of Marketing.
Publisher: UbisoftDeveloper: Grin
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox and PlayStation 2
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: Pentium IV 2 GHz, 1 GB RAM, DirectX 9 compatible video card with 128 MB VRAM, 12x CD-ROM, 5 GB HD space, Windows 2000/XP or more recent operating system
Not too far into the future, the US President, Mexican President and Canadian Prime Minister are meeting in Mexico to sign the North American Joint Security Agreement (NAJSA) when civil war breaks out. A faction of the Mexican military has attacked all three leaders and threatened North American peace. Fortunately, the elite Special Forces unit known as the GHOSTs is in the area and has been dispatched to meet up with Secret Service agents and protect all three dignitaries.
Continue reading Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter Review.
Konami announced that it has signed Adriano Leite Ribeiro as the cover athlete for Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2007.
Continue reading Ribeiro Signed as Winning Eleven Cover Athlete.
The interior architectural design firm Environetics wants everyone to know that they designed the offices for Irrational Games that were featured as the secret level in Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando and Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal.
Continue reading Architecture Firm Thrilled to Be In Game.
Verizon wants everyone to know that already over 5,000 people have signed up for its FiOS Grand Tournament.
Continue reading Plenty Pursue FiOS.
Aspyr Media confirmed that it will publish a version of the third expansion pack for The Sims 2 on the Macintosh platform. The Sims 2: Open for Business should be released for Mac fans of The Sims 2 in September.
When Namco Bandai's game based on the film Curious George is released in Europe, Electronic Arts will co-publish the title. The game itself will be available in Europe for the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance in October.
Midway has shipped its game Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War for the PC to stores in North America.
Continue reading Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War Ships for PC.
Nintendo held a launch event for the North American release of the DS Lite at the Nintendo World store in New York's Rockefeller Center.
Continue reading DS Lite Launches in New York, Now Available For Sale.
Today, Brad Henry, Governor of Oklahoma signed into law House Bill 3004 (authored by representative Fred Morgan and Senator Glenn Coffee).
Continue reading Oklahoma Passes Bill to Block Game Violence.
The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) announced the results of the recent election of new board members.
Continue reading IGDA Elects New Board Members.
THQ has shipped its game Teen Titans for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube. The game is based on the Teen Titans animated series and has the five Titans fighting villains such as Slade and Jinx.
Take-Two Interactive Software announced its results for the fiscal second quarter ended April 30.
Continue reading Take-Two Reports $50 Million Net Loss.
Kuma Reality Games, the company that provides episodic first-person shooter-style play based on real-life events, has launched a new installment of gameplay.
Continue reading New Kuma\War Episode Available.
Shrapnel Games has begun shipping the enhanced version of its Steel Panthers game known as winSPWW2 on a CD for PCs.
Continue reading Enhanced Version of Steel Panthers Ships on CD.
Publisher eGames, in conjunction with Monte Cristo Games, confirmed that Moscow to Berlin: Red Siege will make its way to North American stores later this month. The game is a real-time strategy title that puts players in control of German and Russian armies in the thick of WWII.
Matrix Games has launched its game Conquest of the Aegean as a download from the publisher's site.
Continue reading Conquest of the Aegean Launches for PC.
Microsoft wants everyone to know that MSN Games, its portal for casual PC games, is celebrating ten years online.
Continue reading MSN Games Lasts a Decade.
Majesco announced that it is working with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to bring Teen Titans 2 to the Game Boy Advance this Fall. The game is based on the animated series and has the Titans facing familiar villains.
THQ's ValuSoft division has shipped NHRA Drag Racing: Quarter Mile Showdown for the PC to stores in North America. The game is a drag racing simulation endorsed by the National Hot Rod Association.
Climax Group, a UK developer, wants everyone to know that the company's racing group in Brighton is expanding quickly enough that the developer has moved to a new office, and has such a full pipeline that the Climax's racing studio is looking to hire additional staff.
Xing Mobile has released its mobile game Girl's Land. Girl's Land is a basic platformer in which a character named Bubu Kong has to lead girls to a tea party.
O~3 Entertainment confirmed that it will publish a puzzle game for the DS called Konductra later this month.
Continue reading Konductra Coming to DS Later This Month.
Instinct Technology has brought on Mike Gamble as the company's Business Development Director.
Continue reading Instinct Technology Hires Business Development Director.
Konami Digital Entertainment announced that it will continue working with casual game publisher PlayFirst to bring casual PC games to mobile platforms.
Continue reading Konami Grabs Two PlayFirst Titles for Mobile Phones.
The World Cyber Games (WCG) announced that over 100 gamers competed in the WCG US Open in Los Angeles, with 36 gamers earning trips to the WCG US National Final this September. The top US gamers in that event will attend the final WCG games in Italy this October.
The Walt Disney Internet Group has released its mobile game Muppets Dance Party in the UK.
Continue reading Muppets Dance Party Released for UK Mobile Phones.
Mobile developer Fishlabs announced that it has released its game Planet Riders 3D for Java-enabled mobile handsets. The game is a futuristic jet racing game that is being published by Superscape in North America and Arvato Mobile in Europe
Codemaster's game Sensible Soccer 2006 has shipped to stores in the UK. The game is a football (soccer in North America) game and sequel to the original Sensible Soccer.
What really happened to Daxter between Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and Jak II? Did he just sit around patiently, awaiting Jak's freedom? Read our review of Daxter to find out what really happened.
Majesco reported its financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended April 30, 2006.
Continue reading Majesco Reports Second Quarter Income.
Lighthouse Interactive has launched the official site for its upcoming strategy game Sword of the Stars. Sword of the Stars is a 4x strategy game for the PC with four playable sides currently in development.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment revealed that Eidos will distribute Game Boy Advance and DS games with a Justice League theme at the same time as WBIE launches PlayStation 2, Xbox and PSP Justice League games. All the Justice League games will launch this fall.
Continue reading Justice League Games Coming to GBA and DS.
Namco Bandai Games announced that its game The Legend of Heroes II: Prophecy of the Moonlight Witch for the PSP is gold and should be on store shelves soon. The game is an epic role-playing game that continues the pet system used in the previous installment.
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment AmericaDeveloper: Ready at Dawn
Platform: PSP
Reviewed on PSP
What really happened to Daxter between Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and Jak II, while Jak was enduring years of torture and was infused with Dark Eco? Daxter hunted bugs – armed with a spray gun full of poison and an electric bug swatter. Working for Osmo at the Kridder Ridder Extermination Company in Haven City, Daxter killed a lot of nasty bugs, and uncovered some of the horrifying intrigue festering beneath the surface of Haven City. But mostly... he killed a lot of bugs.
Continue reading Daxter Review.
Yuke's Company of America, the recently formed North American publishing subsidiary of Yuke's Company, announced that its first game in the North American market will be D1 Grand Prix for the PlayStation 2.
Continue reading D1 Grand Prix Coming to PS2 in July.
Datel has shipped its Max Media Dock product for the PSP to stores.
Continue reading Max Media Dock.
Microsoft has confirmed that it plans to release its upcoming action game Ninety-Nine Nights in North America this August.
Continue reading Ninety-Nine Nights Coming to Xbox 360 in August.
Datel has launched its product for the PSP, the Essential Power Duo Pack. The package includes two replacement batteries for the PSP, both of which can be charged and swapped in for the original battery to allow extended play or PSP use.
Datel has launched a 4 GB Hard Drive for the PSP that attaches to the back of the portable console. The item is available for £129 in the UK and $149 in the United States.
Sports Interactive has released a version of Out of the Park Baseball 2006 for the Macintosh.
Continue reading Out of the Park Baseball 2006 Available for Mac.
Microsoft has made four new multiplayer battleground maps available for Perfect Dark Zero over Xbox Live. The four new maps cost 500 Points (around $6.25).
NCsoft has launched a new content expansion for its massively multiplayer online games City of Heroes and City of Villains.
Continue reading Issue 7 Released for City of Heroes and City of Villains.
Backbone Entertainment, part of developer Foundation 9 Entertainment, announced that Seven Seas Entertainment will produce a manga based on the Death Jr. Properties (that started with the first Death Jr. Game for the PSP).
Continue reading Death Jr. Manga Coming in 2007.
Datel has released 1 GB and 2 GB Max memory cards compatible with the PSP. These flash memory cards are capable of an enormous number of game saves or even storing multiple movies.
Kuju Entertainment, a European game developer, announced that it's Brighton studio has signed deals to develop two new titles and is acquiring twenty new staff members.
Continue reading Kuju Brighton is Expanding.
Telcogames, a privately-owned London-based mobile publisher, has purchased mobile developer Fathammer.
Continue reading Telcogames Acquires Fathammer.
GOA, the online publisher owned by France Telecom, announced that it has secured the rights to publish Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning in Europe.
Continue reading GOA to Publish Warhammer Online in Europe.
The expansion to Activision's simulation game, The Movies, has shipped to stores in North America.
Continue reading The Movies: Stunts & Effects Ships for PC.
Hudson Entertainment, the North American publishing wing of Hudson Soft, has revamped its official site. The new site makes it easier to access both new information and data on classic games.
Microsoft has appointed Jeff Bell as the Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business.
Continue reading Microsoft Brings Aboard Car Guru for Interactive Entertainment.
Electronic Arts has released a downloadable expansion for Battlefield 2 that costs just under $10.
Continue reading Battlefield 2: Armored Fury Released as Download.
Konami has shipped the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Double Pack for the GBA to stores in North America.
Continue reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Double Pack Ships for the GBA.
Konami has shipped its collection of Gradius titles for the PSP to stores in North America. Gradius Collection contains the first four Gradius games as well as Gradius Gaiden.
Namco Bandai announced that its upcoming game Naruto: Ultimate Ninja for the PlayStation 2 is gold and should make it to stores in North America later this month.
Continue reading Naruto: Ultimate Ninja is Gold for PlayStation 2.
Yuke's Company, a Japanese game company, has opened up a North American publishing subsidiary. Yuke's Company is known for its work on the WWE Smackdown series and Rumble Roses. Yuke's Company of America will publish handheld and console titles in the North American market.
Xing Mobile has launched its game Bart's Dominoes for mobile phones, in which players get to play Dominoes as Bart against Bart's two friends.
The Electronic Software Association (ESA) confirmed that it is suing the state of Minnesota to overturn the recently passed Minnesota law that would impose fines when children purchase games with certain ratings.
Continue reading ESA Sues Minnesota.
Publisher Tri Synergy has released its game The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript to stores in North America.
Continue reading The Secrets of Da Vinci: The Forbidden Manuscript Released for PC.
Electronic Arts ran simulations of the NBA basketball championships using NBA Live to determine the ultimate winner of the finals.
Continue reading EA Predicts NBA Finals.
Just Flight, the game publisher that specializes in detailed PC simulations and add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, announced that it is launching a new brand called "F-Lite."
Continue reading Just Flight Gets Easier to Fly.
THQ has hired Robert Aniello as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.
Continue reading THQ Brings Aniello Aboard as SVP.
Matrix games has launched its game Norm Koger's The Operational Art of War III.
Continue reading The Operational Art of War III Launches.
Nintendo has released its game Magnetica for the DS to stores in North America.
Continue reading Magnetica Released for DS.
Nintendo has shipped its game Big Brain Academy.
Continue reading Big Brain Academy Ships for DS.
Red Octane, the publisher responsible for Guitar Hero that is being acquired by Activision, has released a limited run of Guitar Hero controllers that are being sold separately from the game so that folks who already own the game can acquire a second guitar.
THQ announced that its game Titan Quest is gold, in duplication and should reach stores worldwide on June 26.
Continue reading Titan Quest for PC is Gold.
Foundation 9, the developer that has created games such as Death Jr. has received an investment commitment from Francisco Partners, a technology investment group.
Continue reading Foundation 9 Gets Francisco Investment.
Eidos, part of the SCi Entertainment Group, announced that it has signed an agreement with Microgaming that will allow Microgaming to develop video slot machines themed after Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Legend and Hitman.
Continue reading Agent 47 and Lara Croft Spin the Reels.
Paradox Interactive announced that it has postponed the release of its upcoming game Heart of Empire: Rome.
Continue reading Heart of Empire: Rome for PC Delayed.
DreamCatcher Interactive announced that it has delayed the release of its upcoming game Painkiller: Hell Wars to give the Xbox title more development time. The game brings the PC shooter Painkiller to the Xbox and will now not be available until later this year.
