August 2008 Archives
If you have even a remote interest in rhythm games, you know that new songs are constantly being released for games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero as premium downloads. Well, at FI we don't write up every single song that's released because, frankly, that's boring, and if you are playing either game very much, you already know. But this is special. On Tuesday, September 2 for the Xbox 360 and on Thursday, September 4 for the PlayStation 3, Rock Band will receive "Skullcrusher Mountain" from Jonathan Coulton. Go ahead – download it.
Isn't it enough that Harmonix ruined a pony making a gift for you?
JoWooD released limited financial data concerning its performance for the first half of its fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading JoWooD Reports Lower First Half Earnings.
Square Enix has issued a friendly takeover bid for Tecmo.
Continue reading Square Enix Offers to Acquire Tecmo.
Gamecock has signed on to publish another project coming out of developer Renegade Kid, the studio behind Dementium: The Ward. While details on the project have not yet been announced, Gamecock asserts that the game is a change "in terms of gameplay, genre and style" from Renegade Kid's past projects.
Electronic Arts has shipped its game Mercenaries 2: World in Flames to stores in North America. The game should be available for purchase by Sunday, August 31 (and should be available in European stores on September 5).
Continue reading Mercenaries 2: World in Flames Ships to Stores.
Codemasters has hired four new executives for its senior management team.
Continue reading Codemasters Hires Four to Bolster Executive Team.
Electronic Arts' BioWare studio is planning to release a toolset for the PC version of its upcoming game Dragon Age that will allow gamers to create their own content.
Continue reading Dragon Age: Origins to Support Player-Made Content.
Conspiracy Entertainment recently filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission its financial performance for its fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading Conspiracy Entertainment Reports Improved Second Quarter Net Income.
Retailer GameStop is performing a minor reorganization of its senior management. The company's Chairman and CEO, R. Richard Fontaine, will become Executive Chairman and will "focus on international operations, acquisition opportunities and strategic development." Daniel DeMatteo, who has been GameStop's Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of GameStop's Chief Executive Officer. J. Paul Raines will also become the company's new Chief Operating Officer in the next few days.
Continue reading GameStop Shuffles Executives Around.
Sony has released The Last Guy as a download for the PlayStation 3, available through the PlayStation Store.
Continue reading The Last Guy Released as a PlayStation 3 Download.
Aksys Games' title From the Abyss is now in stores for the DS.
Continue reading From the Abyss Reaches Stores for the DS.
While publisher Majesco has publicly traded stock listed on the NASDAQ exchange, the company has had trouble adhering to the minimum listing requirements for the exchange. Today, Majesco received a notice that the company's stock has been below $1 per share for the last 30 consecutive trading days. Now, Majesco's stock needs to close at $1 per share or greater for a minimum of 10 consecutive trading days before February 18, 2009 or the company will be delisted from the exchange.
Strategy First, part of Silverstar Holdings, has launched a compilation of virtually all the games the company has ever released for $70, available as a download from the company's site.
Continue reading Strategy First Starts Selling Compilation of Everything.
Activision Publishing plans to crank up the product placement and in-game advertising in its upcoming game Guitar Hero: World Tour.
Continue reading Lots of Ads Coming to Guitar Hero: World Tour.
LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment have launched the Star Wars Galaxies Trading Card Game. The game has players building virtual decks to enter battle on the side of the Rebels, Imperials, Jedi or Sith. The first release for this game is called Champions of the Force, and includes 20 lot cards redeemable for items within Star Wars Galaxies. The game supports both competitive play and "story-based solo play."
Disney Online has added a variety of new content to its massively multiplayer online game Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Continue reading Pirates of the Caribbean Online Adds Quests.
True Games has signed on to be the North American publisher for an upcoming online, microtransaction-supported game from Petroglyph Studios. GOA (part of Orange Games) is taking care of distribution in Europe. The title has not been officially announced, but in the past Petroglyph has created games such as Star Wars: Empire at War.
Today's downloadable game for Xbox Live Arcade is Castle Crashers from The Behemoth - the studio that brought you Alien Hominid.
Continue reading Castle Crashers is Available as a Download for the Xbox 360.
Paradox Interactive plans to release an expansion for its PC strategy game Europa Universalis: Rome called Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis
Continue reading Europa Universalis: Rome - Vae Victis Coming to the PC.
Paradox Interactive has released Penumbra: Requiem for the PC as a download through its GamersGate portal.
Continue reading Penumbra: Requiem Available as a PC Download.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped Digimon World Championship for the DS to stores in North America.
Continue reading Digimon World Championship Ships for the DS.
Sega has shipped PictoImage for the DS to stores in North America. The game lets players doodle or engage in 8-player ad-hoc battles similar to the game Pictionary.
NIS America has released its game Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice for the PlayStation 3 in North America.
Continue reading Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice Released for the PlayStation 3.
Namco Bandai Games has released its game Tales of Vesperia for the Xbox 360.
Continue reading Tales of Vesperia Available for the Xbox 360.
Agetec has shipped its game Falling Stars for the PlayStation 2 to stores in North America.
Continue reading Falling Stars Ships for the PlayStation 2.
Turbine is pleased to announce that its massively multiplayer online game Asheron's Call has received its 100th content update.
Continue reading Asheron's Call Receives 100th Update.
Agetec has shipped DT Carnage for the PlayStation 2 to stores in North America.
Continue reading DT Carnage Ships for the PlayStation 2.
2K Sports, the sports label of Take-Two Interactive, plans to release MLB Superstars for the Wii later this year.
Continue reading MLB Superstars Coming to the Wii.
Got Game Entertainment has shipped MindHabits for the PC and Mac to stores in North America.
Continue reading MindHabits Ships for the PC and Mac.
Reflexive Entertainment has released Music Catch (previously available as a browser game) as a download for the PC.
Continue reading Music Catch Available as a Download.
Electronic Arts' game Tiger Woods PGA Tour '09 is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP (The Wii version is marketed as Tiger Woods PGA Tour '09 All-Play).
Continue reading Tiger Woods PGA Tour '09 is in Stores.
NCsoft announced several of the new features that will be coming in the next content expansion for its massively multiplayer online game City of Heroes/Villains, called "Issue 13: Architect."
Continue reading "Issue 13: Architect" Coming to Paragon City.
Activision Publishing's game Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is now in stores in North America for the PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS.
Continue reading Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Reaches Stores.
Majesco has shipped three children's games for the Wii to stores in North America:
Continue reading Majesco Ships Three Wii Games for Children.
Natsume has shipped Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness for the DS to stores in North America.
Continue reading Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness Ships for the DS.
Today, two The Sims games reach stores: The Sims 2: Apartment Pets for the DS and The Sims 2 Apartment Life expansion pack for the PC.
Continue reading The Sims 2: Apartment Pets and The Sims 2 Apartment Life Reach Stores.
Empire Interactive announced that it is working with Strategy First to release Jagged Alliance for the DS.
Continue reading Jagged Alliance Coming to the DS.
Electronic Arts' Mythic Entertainment studios has proclaimed that its massively multiplayer online game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is now gold, in duplication and will make its scheduled September 18 release date.
Continue reading Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is Gold.
Atari has made the DS and PSP versions of N+ available in North America.
Continue reading N+ Available for the PSP and DS.
Aeria Games, a company that has released "free" games in North America supported by in-game item sales, plans to open a subsidiary in Europe. The company has already hired six employees in Berlin, and expects to grow its Berlin office to between 20 and 50 staff in the next two years.
Grey Dog Software announced that it is working on World of Mixed Martial Arts 2 for release on the PC in early 2009. The game is a sequel to World of Mixed Martial Arts, and will be a fighting management simulation.
Merscom has released Righteous Kill: The Game as a downloadable adventure for the PC based on the film Righteous Kill that should reach theaters on September 12. The game is a hidden-object style game that has players searching for around one thousand items hidden in 16 different crime scenes.
Atari has signed on to publish Heroes Over Europe from Red Mile Entertainment. The game should be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC some time in 2009.
Continue reading Heroes Over Europe Coming Next Year.
SouthPeak Games has shipped Two Worlds: Epic Edition for the PC.
Continue reading Two Worlds: Epic Edition Ships for the PC.
Nintendo's game Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii is now in stores in North America.
Continue reading Mario Super Sluggers Available for the Wii.
Encore, part of Navarre Corporation, has shipped two of its mystery/adventure games for the PC to stores in North America.
Continue reading Dracula 3: Path of the Dragon and Sinking Island Ship to Stores.
Another Monday... another three downloadable games from Nintendo. Once again, Nintendo has released one WiiWare game and two games for the Virtual Console:
Continue reading Three More Downloadable Games Released For the Wii.
Aeria Games, a company that has released "free" games in North America supported by in-game item sales, plans to open a subsidiary in Europe. The company has already hired six employees in Berlin, and expects to grow its Berlin office to between 20 and 50 staff in the next two years.
Publisher: SonyDeveloper: Insomniac Games
Platform: PlayStation 3
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
Ratchet, a lonely lombax stuck in a perpetual state of saving the universe, recently saw his best friend (and best robot) Clank, abducted by transdimensional beings known as the Zoni. To locate and rescue Clank, Ratchet will have to reconstruct a transdimensional telescope constructed by a deceased pirate, without running afoul of his robotic pirate nemeses.
Continue reading Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest For Booty Review.
Publisher: MicrosoftDeveloper: Xbox Live Productions
Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
There are two ways to look at the Fable II Pub Games: Either it's $10 (800 points) for three fantasy-themed gambling games, or (like the Spore Creature Creator) it's a way of spending $10 to get a head start on a game that hasn't been released. That's it. If you're looking for basic, casino-style games, look elsewhere. If you are chomping at the bit to play the upcoming role-playing game Fable II, and would love to spend a few bucks to get some extra in-game items and lots of gold before Fable II is even released, then the Fable II Pub Games are a must-have item on Xbox Live Arcade.
Continue reading Fable II Pub Games Review.
Taito Corporation is, shall we say, pissed. The Computer Game Museum Berlin hosted an installation called "Space Invaders: Die Jubilaumsshow!" (Space Invaders: The Anniversary Show) and Douglas Edric Stanley displayed an installation at the Games Convention in Leipzig called "Invaders!," both of which used content from Taito's classic coin-operated arcade game without permission. Taito is currently considering its options, but hopes to punish those it perceives to have infringed on its properties. Good thing Andy Warhol isn't around to upset them further.
This week sees a new platformer, a sportsman's tool and a classic game all released as downloads through the PlayStation Store.
Continue reading More Games (and a Lombax) are Downloadable From the PlayStation Store.
Matrix Games has released Birth of America 2: Wars in America for the PC. The game is available as a download or physical shipment from Matrix Games' store.
Continue reading Birth of America 2: Wars in America is Available for the PC.
Retailer GameStop reported its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended August 2, 2008.
Logitech is planning to release the Speed Force Wireless Racing Wheel for the Wii in November.
Continue reading Logitech Plans Speed Force Wireless Racing Wheel for the Wii.
Bethesda Softworks, part of ZeniMax, confirmed that Fallout 3 will be released on October 28 in North America and in Europe on October 31. The game is being released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
Continue reading Fallout 3 Coming in Late October.
Sony is planning to launch a new version of the PSP handheld console in North America on October 14, and in the rest of the world sometime that same month. The company also announced a new PSP bundle.
Continue reading Sony Confirms October Date for PSP-3000 and Announces New PSP Bundle.
Sony announced plans to release a wireless keypad peripheral for the PlayStation 3 in November in North America and by the end of the year in Japan, Europe and the rest of Asia.
Continue reading Sony Plans PlayStation 3 Wireless Keypad for November.
Konami previously announced that Silent Hill: Homecoming will be released this year for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Today, Konami confirmed that the game will also be released for the PC.
Continue reading Silent Hill: Homecoming Coming to the PC, As Well.
Electronic Arts announced that it is working with Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development to open up a new quality assurance center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Continue reading EA Launching Louisiana Testing Center.
Dragon Ball games continue to be big business, and building on yesterday's announcement of Dragon Ball: Origins, Atari confirmed that it will publish Namco Bandai's upcoming game Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World.
Continue reading Dragon Ball Z: Infinite World Coming to the PlayStation 2.
Electronic Arts confirmed that Need for Speed: Undercover is still on track for release on November 18 in North America and November 21 in Europe.
Continue reading Need for Speed: Undercover Still Set for November.
It's Wednesday, and that means that a new game has been released for Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Galaga Legions Reaches Xbox Live Arcade.
Just as Electronic Arts announced it will be regularly updating NBA Live '09, the company is planning on providing weekly updates to FIFA Soccer '09... at a price.
Continue reading FIFA Soccer '09 to Get Live Updates, But Not for Free.
Microsoft plans to release new PC gaming hardware in September – the SideWinder X5 Mouse and the SideWinder X6 keyboard.
Continue reading Microsoft Planning Gaming Mouse and Keyboard.
Electronic Arts confirmed that The Sims 3 will be in stores on February 20, 2009.
Continue reading The Sims 3 Coming to the PC in February.
Electronic Arts announced that it currently has a tennis game in development at its EA Canada studios in Vancouver. The game should be released in late 2009 for consoles (first for the Wii) and will feature the licensed appearance of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (home of the famous Wimbledon Championships).
Paradox Interactive confirmed that Hearts of Iron 3 is in development for release on the PC in the third quarter of 2009. This latest installment in Paradox Interactive's premier strategy franchise is the biggest project Paradox Interactive has taken on internally, to date.
Publisher: Wideload GamesDeveloper: Gamecock Media Group
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Reviewed on Xbox 360
The King of the Animals, a lion, has been deposed, thanks to an unspecified but shocking scandal. In response, the animal kingdom has decided to abandon the monarchy and pursue a democratic leader chosen by popular election. Unfortunately, the animals haven't quite gotten the hang of a reasonable election process, and the primaries have turned out to be all about capturing the most numerous registered voters in the animal kingdom: clams. To win, animal candidates will attack, ally with and betray their opponents while collecting clams in a series of party-style brawling primaries.
Continue reading Hail to the Chimp Review.
The new Acclaim has signed on to be the North American publisher for the massively multiplayer online game The Chronicles of Spellborn. The game should now launch in North America late this year.
Agetec's game Fading Shadows for the PSP has shipped to stores in North America.
Continue reading Fading Shadows Ships for the PSP.
Peripheral Manufacturer Mad Catz reported its financial results for its first fiscal quarter, ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading Mad Catz Reports Small First Quarter Loss.
The game Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm, based on the show of the same name on the Discovery Channel, is in stores for the Xbox 360 and PC.
Continue reading Deadliest Catch: Alaskan Storm is in Stores.
The Entertainment Software Association (The ESA – a trade group for the interactive entertainment industry) has appointed Kenneth Doroshow as the ESA's new General Counsel.
Continue reading Doroshow Joins the ESA as General Counsel.
2K Games, a label of Take-Two Interactive, already announced that Digital Extremes is working on a PlayStation 3 version of BioShock due out in October. Today, 2K games confirmed that the game will be released in North America on October 21 and internationally on October 24.
Continue reading BioShock Coming to the PlayStation 3 on October 21.
Microsoft's game Too Human, developed by Silicon Knights, is now in stores for the Xbox 360.
Continue reading Too Human Available for the Xbox 360.
Codemasters has launched the third major content update for its massively multiplayer online game ArchLord.
Continue reading ArchLord Reaches "Episode 3".
SouthPeak Games announced that it plans to release baby simulations for the DS later this year.
Continue reading My Baby Games Coming Late This Year.
Codemasters has signed on to publish Fuel from Asobo Studios. The game is currently scheduled for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in 2009.
Continue reading Fuel Coming in 2009.
The PC Gaming Alliance, a trade group dedicated to promoting PC gaming, continues to declare that PC gaming is alive and well. The PCGA calculated that during 2007, PC gaming was responsible for $10.7 billion of revenue.
Continue reading PC Gaming Alliance Reports Huge 2007 PC Gaming Revenues.
Atari plans to release The Witcher: Enhanced Edition for the PC in September.
Continue reading The Witcher: Enhanced Edition Coming in September.
Atari has signed on to distribute Namco Bandai's upcoming game for the DS, Dragon Ball: Origins, in North America this November.
Continue reading Dragon Ball: Origins Coming to the DS.
Clearly, PopCap feels it's entitled to a little gloating. The company declared that across all platforms, it's Bejeweled series of games (including Bejeweled and Bejeweled 2) have sold more than 25 million copies. But that's not the crux of the gloating:
Continue reading PopCap Says "I Told You So!".
Smash Court Tennis 3, from Namco Bandai Games and distributed by Atari, has shipped to retailers in North America for the Xbox 360.
Continue reading Smash Court Tennis 3 Ships for the Xbox 360.
Activision Blizzard announced the final results of its self-tender offer. The offer arose from the process of combining Vivendi Games and Activision, and will result in Activision purchasing 85,916 shares of its common stock for cash.
Portuguese developer Gameinvest plans to release World of Zellians late this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PC.
Continue reading World of Zellians in Development.
Sony Computer Entertainment of America confirmed today that it is working to ensure that PlayStation 3 peripherals are as compatible as possible with all games.
Continue reading SCEA Working on Music Controller Compatibility for the PlayStation 3.
Publisher Merscom has launched the adventure game Time Stand Still as a download for the PC.
Continue reading Time Stand Still Available as a PC Download.
Majesco plans to release Powerbike for the DS before the end of the year.
Continue reading Powerbike Coming to the DS.
The Deep Silver publishing label of Koch media and Ukrainian developer GSC Game World confirmed that S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky for the PC is gold, in duplication and should be released internationally on September 5.
Continue reading S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is Gold for the PC.
Mad Catz has signed another licensing agreement allowing it to make branded console and PC peripherals. This time, Mad Catz has signed a deal with Capcom, allowing it to make accessories for all current videogame platforms (including the PC) based on the Street Fighter IV, Bionic Commando and Resident Evil 5 games.
Scholastic Media is planning to release Ultimate I Spy for the Wii in October.
Continue reading Ultimate I Spy Coming to the Wii.
Square Enix confirmed that it plans to ship its game Chrono Trigger for the DS to stores in North America on November 25.
Continue reading Chrono Trigger Coming to the DS in Late November.
Empire Interactive's game Animal Paradise for the DS is gold, in duplication and should ship to stores in North America on September 23.
Continue reading Animal Paradise for the DS is Gold.
Electronic Arts' off to acquire all the outstanding shares of Take-Two Interactive at $25.74 per share expires today. Since a sufficient number of Take-Two Interactive shares have not been tendered to Electronic Arts to allow for a takeover of the company, Electronic Arts now plans to allow its tender offer to expire at the end of the day. EA is, however, reopening talks with the management of Take-Two Interactive concerning a possible acquisition.
Publisher Lighthouse Interactive has signed an agreement with Nintendo of Europe that allows the company to develop for and publish products on the Wii and DS platforms. Lighthouse expects to release such games shortly.
Phantom, the folks behind the failed PC-as-console, appear to be engaged in some sneaky financial maneuvers:
Continue reading Phantom Moves Technology and Trademarks Around.
Electronic Arts' Mythic Entertainment studio confirmed that it plans to launch the open beta for its upcoming massively multiplayer online game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning on September 7. The game is currently set for a release on September 18, clearly confirming this brief "beta" as a promotional opportunity in which players can get a brief glance at the game before making a purchasing decision while Mythic tests the servers.
Nintendo seems to have hit a new stride with its Monday downloadable releases, once again dropping a new WiiWare title and two Virtual Console titles as downloads for the Wii:
Continue reading Another Three Downloadable Games Reach the Wii.
Publisher: MicrosoftDeveloper: Number None
Platform: Xbox 360 and PC
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Tim seems like an ordinary fellow, wandering the halls of his house, reminiscing and fantasizing about a princess. But unlike most fellows, Tim's flights of fancy take him to a series of worlds where time and causality operate a little differently. It's not enough to just jump through puzzles – only by understanding the rules of each world can you help Tim navigate them.
Continue reading Braid Review.
Publisher: ActivisionDeveloper: Bizarre Creations
Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
The original Geometry Wars illustrated the potential of Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) to countless developers. Sometimes credited with giving XBLA legitimacy, the game's simple mechanics and bright, neon-like coloring made it appealing to both the casual and more hardcore gaming crowd. While a few versions of the game have come and gone since the original's release, this first, true sequel stays true to the formula while adding just enough to keep fans sated and observers mesmerized.
Continue reading Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Review.
Today, Nintendo has launched a Pokemon-themed DS bundle that includes a Black Nintendo DS with images of Dialga and Palkia (from Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl) and animated special called Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness, a mini-poster and a carrying case featuring Dialga and Palkia. The entire bundle costs $130.
Publisher: MicrosoftDeveloper: Little Boy Games
Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
The All City Tournament is the place to be for would-be breakdancers, so that's where Hydro and his "All City Crew" are headed to break to the beat of DJ Scruffy and the Beatniks. Only by busting out perfectly to the rhythm and knocking Beatniks out of the nearby ring can the All City Crew reign supreme and win fabulous prizes.
Continue reading Go! Go! Break Steady Review.
Sony Online Entertainment confirmed that it plans to release expansions shortly for both EverQuest and EverQuest II.
Continue reading EverQuest and EverQuest II Each to Receive Another Expansion.
In early July, Activision Blizzard announced that it plans a two-for-one stock split. Today, the company confirmed that Activision Blizzard will issue the additional share of stock to all shareholders on record as of August 25, 2008. Trading in the company's stock will begin on a split adjusted basis on September 8, 2008.
The Entertainment Software Association, a trade group that represents video game publishers, is pleased that it was able to assist the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office in finding and convicting a Florida game pirate.
Continue reading Florida Game Pirate Ordered to Pay $415,900 in Restitution.
Koei confirmed that it plans to release Dynasty Warriors 6 for the PC and PlayStation 2 on November 18. The PC version of this tactical action game will only be available as a download.
Continue reading Dynasty Warriors 6 to Reach PC and PlayStation 2 in November.
In a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz confirmed that it will file its quarterly report (for the quarter ended June 30, 2008) late. The filing has been delayed "because of the large volume of work related to accounting for the five operating entities acquired as part of last year's Saitek acquisition...."
Rockstar Games, the premier label for Take-Two Interactive, plans to release Grand Theft Auto IV in Japan on October 30 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Publisher Mastiff has signed on to publish Deer Drive for the Wii late this year.
Continue reading Deer Drive Coming to the Wii.
Atari has entered into an agreement with Empire Interactive (part of Silverstar Holdings) that will have Atari distribute many of Empire Interactive's upcoming games through 2009.
Continue reading Atari to Distribute Some Empire Interactive Games.
Along with this week's release of Bionic Commando: Rearmed, Street Fighter Alpha is now available for purchase at the PlayStation Store.
Continue reading Street Fighter Alpha Available for Download.
Electronic Arts has entered into two new publishing agreements, with Grasshopper Manufacture and Epic Games.
Continue reading EA Signs Two New Publishing Agreements.
Take-Two Interactive has promoted Gary Dale, formerly an Executive Vice President for the company, to the post of Chief Operating Officer.
Continue reading Gary Dale Becomes Take-Two Interactive's COO.
Electronic Arts plans to release its game Burnout: Paradise, previously released for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as a download later this year for the PlayStation 3 through the PlayStation Store. The downloadable version of the game will cost $30 and will include all the previously released updates for the racing (and crashing) game from Criterion Games.
Koei's game Prey the Stars for the DS is now gold, in duplication and should reach North American stores on October 7.
Continue reading Prey the Stars is Gold for the DS.
Electronic Arts declared today that Spore, developed by Maxis, is gold, in duplication and should reach stores shortly for the PC, Mac and DS. The PC and Mac versions of the game should reach North America on September 5. Those same version should reach Europe on September 7, the same date that the DS and Mobile versions of the game should ship globally.
Continue reading Spore is Gold and Set for September Launch.
Koei's game Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation for the DS is gold, in duplication and should ship to stores in North America on September 30.
Continue reading Pop Cutie! Street Fashion Simulation is Gold for the DS.
Publisher Lighthouse Interactive and developer Kerberos Productions are planning to release A Murder of Crows, an expansion for the PC 4X strategy game Sword of the Stars.
Continue reading A Murder of Crows Expansion for Sword of the Stars Coming in September.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, plans to release History - Civil War: Secret Missions late this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC and PlayStation 2.
Continue reading History - Civil War: Secret Missions Coming Late This Year.
Codemasters plans to bring new Overlord games to nearly every platform with sequels and variations on the theme all to be released in 2009. Similar to the original game, all of these will cast players as an evil overlord who uses hordes of minions to overwhelm a fantasy world.
Continue reading Several Overlord Games Coming in 2009.
Unofficial word is that around 20 staff have been eliminated at NCsoft's Austin offices. While that is unconfirmed, Scott Jennings noted on his blog that his entire "team was let go as part of 'refocusing.'"
Activision Blizzard announced the preliminary results of its self-tender offer
The tender offer only expired moments ago, so a final result will be available in a few days. Preliminarily, Activision Blizzard will wind up purchasing around 86,000 shares at $27.50 per share.
Atari, a subsidiary of Infogrames, reported its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading Atari Reports First Quarter Profit.
Electronic Arts plans to release Crysis: Warhead (the follow-up to the first person shooter for the PC, Crysis) on September 12 in Europe and on September 16 in North America.
Continue reading Crysis: Warhead Coming in September.
Playlogic announced its financial results today for the first half of its fiscal year ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading Playlogic Reports Return to Profitability.
It's Wednesday, and that means that new games have been released for Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Bionic Commando: Rearmed and Fable II Pub Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
Capcom has released Bionic Commando: Rearmed as a download through Xbox Live Arcade (for the Xbox 360), PlayStation Network (for the PlayStation 3) and PC.
Continue reading Bionic Commando: Rearmed Available for Download.
Electronic Arts confirmed that it is currently developing Celebrity Sports Showdown for the Wii.
Continue reading Celebrity Sports Showdown Coming to the Wii.
Paradox Interactive has signed on to publish the fantasy-themed turn based-strategy game Elven Legacy from 1C's Ino-Co studio.
Continue reading Paradox to Publish Elven Legacy in North America.
Publisher Oxygen Interactive Software's O-Games label is planning a new line of games for girls on the DS called the "MyGames Series."
Continue reading Oxygen Plans DS Games for Girls.
NCsoft announced certain financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading NCsoft Reports Increased Second Quarter Sales, Reduced Net Income.
The Blizzard Entertainment division of Activision Blizzard has entered into an agreement to license many of its games and technologies to NetEase (an affiliate of Shanghai EaseNet Network Technology Limited) so that the games can be operated in China.
Continue reading Blizzard Licenses StarCraft II and Warcraft III for Chinese Release.
Ubisoft has shipped its DS title Imagine: Teacher to stores in North America.
Continue reading Imagine: Teacher Ships for the DS.
D3Publisher of America has shipped Bangai-O Spirits for the DS to stores in North America.
Continue reading Bangai-O Spirits Ships for the DS.
OnNet has launched a major expansion for its persistent -world online golf game, Shot Online. Called Shot Online Season 2, the expansion adds more courses a new four-player game mode and new characters to encounter.
Disney Online is hosting a "Free Preview Weekend" for its massively multiplayer online game Pirates of the Caribbean Online. Lasting from August 15th through August 18, the weekend will give everyone free access to all content (even that normally only available to accounts upgraded to "Unlimited Access") and Unlimited Access accounts will get discounts on customizable items such as clothing, hairstyles and jewelry.
Lighthouse Interactive has signed on to publish Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches from Arbeth Studios. The game will be released in Europe for the PC some time in the fourth quarter of this year.
Continue reading Lighthouse Interactive to Publish Rhiannon in Europe.
Sony has released a PSP hardware bundle to celebrate the release of Madden NFL '09. The Bundle includes a PSP with a Madden theme, a copy of Madden NFL '09, a 1 GB Memory Stick Duo, a UMD version of Just One Play and a voucher to download a copy of Beats.
Electronic Arts plans to release a game called Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure in early 2009.
Continue reading Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure Coming to the DS Next Year.
Sega and Gas Powered Games have shipped Space Siege for the PC to stores in North America.
Continue reading Space Siege Ships for the PC.
Electronic Arts has shipped the latest installment in its football franchise, Madden NFL '09, to stores in North America.
Continue reading Madden NFL '09 Ships to Stores.
Clear Crown Studios' game Shattered Suns has shipped to stores in North America.
Continue reading Shattered Suns Ships for the PC.
Midway has cancelled an unannounced project in its Austin, Texas, studio. This means that while Midway plans to keep the Austin office open (it will continue to manage outsourcing for the company and develop two unannounced projects), Midway plans to fire around 90 of the 130 people employed in the office.
Eidos Interactive has hired gymnast Alison Carroll to serve as the real-life version of Lara Croft to promote the upcoming game Tomb Raider: Underworld (that should be released in November).
Continue reading Alison Carroll is the New Lara Croft.
Telltale Games has released Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Episode 1 - Homestar Ruiner as a download for both the PC and the Wii.
Publisher: Telltale GamesDeveloper: Telltale Games and Videlectrix
Platforms: PC and Wii
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: 1.5 GHz Processor, 256 MB RAM, 32 MB 3D video card, DirectX 9, internet connection, Windows XP or Vista
Sometimes you just want to beat the tar out of someone (not the snot – the tar, or something else suitably less snotty), but when that someone is Homestar Runner, things are always more complicated than they seem. What begins with Strong Bad answering e-mails on Lappy quickly becomes an epic journey through Homestar Runner's town, with Strong Bad trying to reconstruct the life of an uninvited houseguest just so he can get back to punching snakes.
Wicked Interactive is letting everyone know that it is getting closer to unleashing yet more massively multiplayer online games on North American audiences. The company was founded this year in Toronto, Canada, and on April 1, 2008, entered into a licensing agreement with Yedang Entertainment to bring Yedang's games to North America.
Continue reading Wicked Interactive is Localizing Free-To-Play MMOGs For North America.
Handmark has launched its mobile game GTS World Racing for the iPhone and iPod touch through Apple's App Store. This racing game has players turning the iPhone like a steering wheel to drive through 64 different track variations.
Every Monday, Nintendo releases new downloadable games for the Wii, and today is no exception. This week, Nintendo is releasing another three games under the WiiWare and Virtual Console rubrics:
Continue reading More WiiWare and Virtual Console Games Reach the Wii.
Interplay has filed its quarterly financial report for its fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Continue reading Interplay Still On Life Support.
The team that was formerly Flagship Studios' Seattle-based team has reformed as "Runic Games" to continue work. The team was working on a massively multiplayer online game called Mythos for Flagship and is hoping to continue work.
Continue reading Runic Games Arises From Ashes of Flagship Studios Seattle.
Koei plans to release a role-playing game called Monster Racers for the DS in 2009.
Continue reading Monster Racers Coming to the DS Next Year.
Electronic Arts plans to release a sequel to its video game version of The Godfather, released in 2007 for most platforms. The Godfather II will be released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in February of 2009.
Continue reading The Godfather II Coming in February of 2009.
This week's release for the PSP in the PlayStation Store is Talkman Travel. This software offers maps alongside travel and linguistic advice for PSP owners travelling in certain world cities. Currently the software is available for Tokyo, Paris and Rome, and costs $6 per city.
SouthPeak Games has shipped Monster Madness: Grave Danger for the PlayStation 3 to stores in North America.
Continue reading Monster Madness: Grave Danger Ships for the PlayStation 3.
To help celebrate ten years of its massively multiplayer online game i>EverQuest, Sony Online Entertainment is planning to release a book entitled the EverQuest: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition in early 2009.
Continue reading EverQuest: 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition Book Coming in 2009.
Yukes Company of America has signed on to publish Neverland Card Battles for the PSP in North America.
Continue reading Neverland Card Battles Coming in October.
Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz is planning to release more "eye-catching" PC peripherals through its recently acquired Saitek brand.
Continue reading Saitek to Release "Expressions" Accessories.
Peripheral manufacturer The Ant Commandos (TAC) has shipped its illuminated drumsticks to stores. It's hard to say to what degree these drumsticks are really a "peripheral," as they are just fancy sticks, sold for $20 that light up when struck. Still, TAC claims they are meant for drumming in musical video games such as Rock Band. The illuminated drumsticks are available in blue and red, and require AA batteries.
Retailer and rental company Blockbuster announced its financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended July 6, 2008.
Electronic Arts plans to bring the "For Dummies" brand to games.
Continue reading Electronic Arts Appeals to Dummies.
Microsoft has signed a perpetual license agreement with Havok to use Havok's current physics, animation and behavioral products (along with future products). The license applies to all of Microsoft's internal studios and development partners , and extends (perpetually) license agreements that have been in place since 2001.
Russian publisher Akella has entered into an agreement with Czech developer Cinemax to publish Pound of Ground: Killed Twice in Russia, CIS and the Baltic states in the fourth quarter of this year. The game is known in certain other territories as Evil Days: pound of Ground. The game is a first-person shooter in which an amnesiac protagonist awakens on an abandoned farm in the desert.
While Activision and Vivendi Games were completing the combination that resulted in the new "Activision Blizzard," the company's stock traded under the temporary symbol "ATVID." Starting tomorrow, August 7, the company will resume trading under the ticker "ATVI" that was originally used by Activision.
After multiple delays, Electronic Arts and its Mythic Entertainment studio have announced a new release date for the upcoming massively multiplayer online game Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning: September 18, 2008.
Continue reading Release Date and Pricing for Warhammer Online Confirmed (Again).
Conspiracy Entertainment has shipped its game Summer Athletics for the Wii and PlayStation 2 to stores in North America.
Continue reading Summer Athletics Ships for the Wii and PlayStation 2.
Mobile Publisher Gameloft has entered into a publishing agreement with Universal Pictures to release a mobile game based on the upcoming film Death Race, scheduled to reach theaters late this month.
Continue reading Gameloft Bringing Death Race to Mobile Phones.
Rockstar Games, the premier label for Take-Two Interactive, confirmed that the PC version of its game Grand Theft Auto IV will reach stores in North America on November 18 and Europe on November 21.
Continue reading Grand Theft Auto IV Coming to the PC in November.
Hudson Soft has launched PuzzLoop as a mobile game available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The game costs $8 and is a port of the coin-operated arcade game released in 1998 that has players working to match (and eliminate) sets of colored balls moving down a rail.
PlayFirst has launched its game Cooking Dash as a download for the PC and Mac.
Continue reading Cooking Dash Available as Download for PC and Mac.
Konami has released a version of its classic game Frogger for the iPhone and iPod through the Apple App Store. For $10, people can purchase this latest version of the 27-year-old arcade classic.
Mobile publisher Astraware has released Insaniquarium Deluxe for Palm OS and Windows Mobile devices.
Continue reading Insaniquarium Deluxe Released for Palm OS and Windows Mobile.
Once again, Microsoft has released a new downloadable game for Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Braid Available Through Xbox Live Arcade.
Activision Blizzard launched the Russian-language version of its massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft today. Russian players can play the fully localized game (including The Burning Crusade expansion) and receive help from a Russian-language customer support team. For those of you who are curious, a monthly subscription to World of Warcraft costs 359 rubles per month.
Russian publisher 1C and Battlefront.com confirmed that Theater of War II is currently in development for release on the PC.
Continue reading Theater of War II Coming to the PC.
Late last year, the developer responsible for Fury and Trainz entered bankruptcy. While Auran dismissed most of its staff, it tried to maintain Fury until a solution could be found to keep the servers online. In this post, Auran confirmed that it has failed to come up with a funding solution, and Fury will close permanently.
Ignition Entertainment has hired two new executives for its North American leadership team.
Continue reading Ignition Entertainment Expands Marketing and PR Staff.
Konami confirmed that it plans to release Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 late this year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation 2 and PSP.
Continue reading Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 Coming This Fall With Messi on the Cover.
Activision Publishing has shipped Little League World Series 2008 for the Wii and DS to stores in North America.
Continue reading Little League World Series 2008 Ships for the Wii and DS.
Earlier this month, D3Publisher declared that it plans to release Onechanbara: Bikini Zombie Slayers for the Wii. Today, D3Publisher announced that it plans to release a related game, Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad for the Xbox 360 at approximately the same time: early 2009.
Continue reading Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad Coming to the Xbox 360.
Conspiracy Entertainment has entered into an agreement with Black Bean to publish SBK: World Superbike Championship this October in North America.
Continue reading SBK: World Superbike Championship Coming to North America in October.
The Entertainment Software Association received its check for $282,794 from the state of California, reimbursing the ESA for attorney's fees incurred while litigating the states bill to restrict the sale of games.
Continue reading ESA Receives Reimbursement From California For Attorney's Fees.
2K Play, part of Take-Two Interactive, is currently working on a slate of games based on Nick Jr.'s programs.
Continue reading 2K Play Plans Nick Jr.-Based Games for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS.
The recently established Meteor Games confirmed that it is currently developing Twin Skies with an expected release in 2009.
Continue reading Twin Skies MMOG in Development at Meteor Games.
Nokia has launched its game Reset Generation for mobile handsets and as a browser game for the PC. The game is a sort of mash-up of video gaming tropes combined into a straightforward game.
Codemasters has shipped the DS version of its racing game GRID to stores in North America.
Continue reading GRID Ships for the DS.
Matrix Games has released Great Invasions for the PC.
Continue reading Great Invasions is Available for the PC.
Atlus Confirmed that it plans to publish Eternal Poison for the PlayStation 2 in North America this November.
Continue reading Eternal Poision Coming to the PlayStation 2 in November.
The Adventure Company, part of DreamCatcher (and by extension, JoWooD) confirmed that it is adapting its PC adventure game series based on The Hardy Boys for the Wii. The PC version is currently scheduled for release late this year, while the Wii version should reach stores in the second quarter of 2009.
Empire Interactive confirmed that it plans to release Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams on the DS late this year.
Continue reading Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams Coming to the DS.
Nintendo has released three new downloadable games for the Wii:
Continue reading Yet More Downloadable Games for the Wii.
Publisher: AtariDeveloper: Dimps and Namco Bandai
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Goku, his son Gohan, and their many friends like to focus on conflict resolution. Whether it's a polite disagreement between friends or saving the universe from aliens and androids, they resolve conflict by beating the snot out of one another and gloating about who is the most powerful fighter in the universe.
Continue reading Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit Review.
THQ's Valusoft label has shipped Legend: Hand of God for the PC to stores.
Continue reading Legend: Hand of God Ships for the PC.
We've had more than a few inquiries asking why the site has been so slow to update, so we're posting the reason to the right. Our most prolific staff member, Kyle, now has a son and is busy tending to James' needs. As we rearrange the staffing schedule, updates will resume in a timely fashion.
The staff at FI wishes Kyle luck, and encourages our readers to admire his baby.
Navarre Corporation published its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2008.
Continue reading Navarre Reports Minimal Net Income.
