November 2008 Archives
JoWooD announced certain of its financial results for its third quarter of 2008, ended September 30, 2008.
Midway received notice from the New York Stock Exchange that it's stock is subject to delisting from the exchange since the company's market capitalization has fallen below the required minimum average market capitalization over a 30-day trading period of at least $75 million.
Continue reading Midway Receives Stock Delisting Warning.
Nintendo has launched two colors of DS hardware as part of bundles for the holiday season, both available for $150. A red DS bundle includes a copy of New Super Mario Bros, while a blue DS is being packaged with a copy of Brain Age.
Ubisoft announced selected results from its 2008-2009 financial year covering the six-month period ended September 30, 2008.
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Positive First-Half Income.
Merscom has released its casual game Hospital Hustle as a download for the PC. The game has players taking on the role of Nurse Sarah helping to diagnose and treat patients in this time-management-style game.
The National Institute on Media and Family (NIMF) has issued its annual "MediaWise Video Game Report Card". The report represents a shift from NIMF, in that they gave the video game industry fairly positive feedback, and finally acknowledged that some games are meant for adults.
Capcom has shipped Neopets Puzzle Adventure for the DS and PC to stores in North America. The game has players interacting with the Neopets world by playing variants on the classic games of Go and Reversi.
The site Games Abyss has posted a review of Mirror's Edge. "Like parkour, once I got into the flow and knew my surroundings, I could execute spectacular and invigorating moves. Also like parkour, when I screwed up, it usually ended with the sickening crunch of bones shattering. Fortunately, unlike parkour, I didn't have to wait months to try again--the game just automatically loaded the last checkpoint."
Capcom's game Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix is available for download today through the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 (for $15) and will be available for download on the Xbox 360 tomorrow (for 1200 points, also known as $15). Fighting fans can finally download this fighting game in HD and start smacking one another online.
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 from Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has reached stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2.
Continue reading NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 Reaches Stores.
Konami has shipped Winx Club: Mission Enchantix for the DS to stores in North America. Based on the animated show for young girls, Winx Club, the game has players dressing up their young witches and using magic to defeat monsters on the main quest, while also enjoying six mini-games.
Sony Online Entertainment is including an online trading card game within its upcoming virtual world aimed at younger gamers, Free Realms (currently in beta-testing). Sony has worked out a deal with The Topps Company (owned by The Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners) such that in the first half of next year, The Topps Company will offer a physical counterpart to the virtual card game available within Free Realms. The physical Free Realms trading card game will include loot cards that unlock items in the virtual world.
Square Enix has shipped its game Chrono Trigger for the DS to stores in North America. The game was originally released on the SNES in 1995 and has been remastered for its DS release.
Continue reading Chrono Trigger Ships for the DS.
Bethesda Softworks, part of ZeniMax Media, plans to release an editor for the PC version of Fallout 3 next month, followed by downloadable content beginning in January.
Continue reading More Fallout 3 Content and an Editor Coming Shortly.
Barbie Horse Adventures: Riding Camp from Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, is now available in North America for the Wii, PC, PlayStation 2 and DS. The game has players grooming and feeding their horse while taking riding lessons to compete in equestrian events.
Square Enix plans to release three premium content expansions for its massively multiplayer online game Final Fantasy XI. The first, A Crystalline Prophecy - Ode of Life Bestowing, will see a giant crystal appear in the skies above Jeuno and will be released in the first half of 2009.
Continue reading Three Final Fantasy XI Content Packs Planned.
Majesco has shipped Cake Mania: In the Mix! for the Wii to stores in North America. This version builds on past Cake Mania time-management games with players helping Jill Evans run all aspects of her bakery business.
THQ has signed a deal with in-game advertising provider Massive (owned by Microsoft) to have Massive be the exclusive provider of in-game advertisements for THQ's upcoming PC and Xbox 360 games. According to Massive, THQ was pleased with the performance of Massive's advertisements in Saints Row 2, and is pursuing more advertising for future games.
Nintendo has released another slate of downloadable games for the Wii to satisfy gamers on another Monday morning:
Continue reading Yet Another Three Games Downloadable for the Wii.
THQ has shipped Age of Empires: Mythologies for the DS to stores in North America. The game improves on the engine used in the previous DS release, Age of Empires: The Age of Kings, offering turn-based combat between the Greeks, Norse and Egyptians, aided by mythological creatures.
Personal Trainer: Cooking from Nintendo is now in stores for the Nintendo DS. The software contains recipes and instructions to prepare around 240 dishes, going so far as to provide videos of cooking techniques.
Continue reading Personal Trainer: Cooking Reaches Stores for the DS.
In an posting on the game's official site, NCsoft declared that it will shut down its massively multiplayer online game Tabula Rasa on February 28, 2009. Starting on January 10, 2009, the game will be free to play for everyone, so that anyone can try out the game for its last few weeks.
The v5.02 firmware update for the PSP is now available for download. This latest update "improves system software stability during use of some features, including the PlayStation Store."
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment plans to release a video game at the same time the film Terminator: Salvation reaches theaters. Terminator: Salvation - The Videogame will be a third-person shooter that will also reach theaters on May 22, 2009. The game will have players taking on the role of John Connor, battling the forces of Skynet for the survival of humanity.
Commodore Gaming is resurrecting the classic computer brand as a new PC builder, and has finally opened up its doors in North America. The company is opening up its North American headquarters in Long Island, New York, with that office being headed by Eyal Akler, the former CEO of Hypersonic PC. FI was able to see some of Commodore's products in the summer of 2007, and the PCs looked impressive. Now the company is finally setting up to operate outside of Europe.
Atlus USA's game Luminous Arc 2 is now in North American stores for the DS. This role-playing game has players caught up in a conflict between warring witches.
Fanatec is preparing to launch its Porsche 911 Carrera Racing Wheel for the PC and PlayStation 3 on February 15, 2009. The wheel costs $130 and features a gear shift that can be positioned on either side of the wheel, a large wheel rim and a clutch pedal with declining resistance.
Sony Online Entertainment and LucasArts have launched the latest major content update for their massively multiplayer online game Star Wars Galaxies. Chapter 11: The Battle of Echo Base allows players to participate in combat missions for either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire on Hoth, battling over the rebel base featured in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.
Continue reading Star Wars Galaxies Enjoys The Battle of Echo Base.
Square Enix's role-playing game The Last Remnant is now in stores for the Xbox 360. The game features turn-based battles large-scale battles and a world populated by four unique races.
Continue reading The Last Remnant Reaches Stores for the Xbox 360.
Blizzard, part of Activision Blizzard, says that it sold around 2.8 million copies of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion for its massively multiplayer online game World of Warcraft in the first day that the expansion was available. Blizzard also noted that the subscriber base for World of Warcraft had reached 11 million prior to the launch of the game's second expansion.
Rockstar Games, the premier label of Take-Two Interactive, confirmed that the first episode of downloadable content for the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV will be released on February 17, 2009. The episode, called The Lost and the Damned, will include new content but will require ownership of the game.
Nyko is planning to start shipping the Charge Station Quad for the Wii next month. The device includes a charging station for four Wii Remotes, along with batteries and battery covers so that up to four Wii Remotes can be charged simultaneously. The product is expected to cost $50.
Retailer GameStop reported its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended November 1, 2008.
Codemasters confirmed that it is in development of Colin McRae: DiRT 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, Wii, DS and PSP. This marks the return of the Colin McRae name to the rally racing franchise to honor the deceased man's career. The game is due for worldwide release sometime next year.
Publisher: Namco Bandai GamesDeveloper: Namco Bandai Games
Platform: Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Namco has packed 34 games into its Namco Museum Virtual Arcade compilation, including games from the days of coin-operated arcades (both popular and obscure) as well as more recent updates previously released on Xbox Live Arcade.
Continue reading Namco Museum Virtual Arcade Review.
NinjaBee's latest game, A Kingdom for Keflings is now available as a download for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade. A Kingdom for Keflings is a city-building game in which players help tiny humanoids called Keflings build a kingdom. In keeping with the New Xbox Experience, the game allows players to use their avatars within the game.
Ubisoft's game Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party is now in stores for the Wii and DS. On both systems, this is a collection of party games featuring the raving bunny-like characters.
Continue reading Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party Reaches Stores.
Pirates: Hunt for Blackbeard's Booty from Activision (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores for the Wii. Like Activision's other releases today, this is a compilation of casual mini-games, this time with a piratical theme.
Vae Victis an expansion for Europa Universalis: Rome is now available as a download for the PC.
Continue reading Vae Victis Available as a Download for the PC.
Block Party from Activision (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores for the Wii. Block Party is a set of 20 casual mini-games with a suburban life theme.
Ubisoft's game My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr is now in stores for the DS.
Continue reading My Stop Smoking Coach with Allen Carr Available for the DS.
THQ Wireless has launched Star Wars: The Clone Wars for java-enabled mobile phones. The game has players taking on the role of a clone trooper battling through 15 missions against the droids of the seperatist army.
Monkey Mischief from Activision (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores for the Wii. The game includes a variety of misbehaving monkey-themed mini-games that take place after the zoo has closed for the night.
Koei's game Dynasty Warriors 6 for the PlayStation 2 is now in stores in North America while the PC version is now available as a download. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game are already available.
Continue reading Dynasty Warriors 6 Available for the PC and PlayStation 2.
Electronic Arts' game Skate It is now in stores in North America for the Wii and DS, and should reach stores in Europe tomorrow. The game has players skating in an effort to be named "Skater of the Year" using the DS touchscreen or Wii Remote and Nunchuk. The Wii version also supports use of the Wii Balance Board.
Microsoft has launched the New Xbox Experience. Xbox 360 console owners who log on today will have the new interface downloaded to their consoles.
Continue reading Xbox 360 Gets the "New Xbox Experience".
Forsaken Gods, an expansion for JoWooD's role-playing game Gothic 3, is now available as a boxed game or as a download for the PC. JoWooD estimates that the expansion adds 15 to 20 hours of content while also tweaking the user interface and combat system.
Gamecock Media Group has shipped its game Legendary (formerly known as Legendary: The Box) for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to stores in North America. The game follows a thief who opens Pandora's box, unleashing mythical creatures on an unsuspecting world. The PC version should reach stores next week.
Left 4 Dead from Valve (and distributed by Electronic Arts) is now available for both the PC and the Xbox 360. Using Valve's Source Engine, the game has several players working cooperatively to survive a zombie onslaught driven by a new and nastier strain of the rabies virus.
PopStar Guitar from XS Games is now in stores in North America for the Wii and PlayStation 2. The game includes around 50 songs that can be played with any non-USB guitar peripheral on the PlayStation 2 or with the "AirG" peripheral that snaps onto the Wii Remote.
Codemasters has shipped its game You're in the Movies for the Xbox 360 to stores. The game has players performing in a variety of party games in front of the Xbox Live Vision Camera. These performances are then automatically spliced together to create kitschy B-movies that can then be shared with friends.
Autodesk has completed its previously mentioned acquisition of Softimage from Avid Technology. Autodesk paid approximately $35 million for the 3D authoring middleware used in game, film and television production.
Atari has released Storm of Zehir, an expansion for its PC game Neverwinter Nights 2. The new content adds a campaign designed to offer 20 to 30 hours of play along with new spells, creatures and playable races for the game.
Sega has shipped Sonic Unleashed for the Wii and PlayStation 2 to stores in North America. The game strives to capture the fun of the original Sonic the Hedgehog platformers, adding new moves and the ability for Sonic to transform into a "Werehog" at night. The game should ship for the Xbox 360 next week and next month for the PlayStation 3.
Eidos, part of SCi Entertainment, has shipped Tomb Raider: Underworld for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS to stores. This latest Tomb Raider game has players exploring the nether worlds of various ancient cultures, uncovering a connection between all and the Norse concept of the underworld (all the while jumping and shooting at things).
Harmonix (part of MTV Games) in conjunction with Electronic Arts, has shipped the Rock Band Track Pack: Volume 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2 to stores in North America. This pack features 20 songs that can be played as a standalone game. While the pack is aimed at those who can't access downloadable content, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners can export all the tracks to their console for play with Rock Band and Rock Band 2.
D3Publisher has shipped its game Cradle of Rome for the DS to stores in North America. The game has players recreating the ancient city of Rome by solving a series of match-three style casual puzzles.
Microsoft has shipped its game Lips to stores for the Xbox 360. The game includes two wireless, motion-sensitive controllers with which players can sing along to both the included popular tracks, or to your own music (without displayed lyrics).
Ubisoft has shipped CSI: NY - The Game for the PC to stores in North America. This adventure game is based on the television series of the same name and has players taking on the role of characters from the series as they investigate crime scenes and interrogate witnesses.
Atari has shipped Alone in the Dark: Inferno for the PlayStation 3 to stores in North America. The game is similar to the version released as, simply, Alone in the Dark, but promises better camera control, more responsive protagonist and driving controls, a better inventory system and a new action sequence.
The Shadow Odyssey, the fifth expansion for Sony Online Entertainment's massively multiplayer online game EverQuest II is now available in retail stores or as a download.
Continue reading EverQuest II: The Shadow Odyssey Now Available.
Konami has shipped Castlevania Judgment for the Wii to stores in North America. The game lets Castlevania fans battle it out against one another as a variety of Castlevania characters from the franchise's 22-year history.
Majesco's game Cooking Mama: World Kitchen for the Wii is now in stores in North America. The game features 51 new recipes and the ability for two players to cook cooperatively in an effort to please Mama.
Turbine's expansion for its massively multiplayer online game The Lord of the Rings Online, called Mines of Moria is now available for purchase in North America and Europe.
Continue reading The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Now Available.
Publisher GamesCampus has signed an agreement with MLB Advanced Media that will allow GamesCampus to integrate Major League Baseball league and club logos into its upcoming online game MLB Dugout Heroes. The game itself will be a persistent-world baseball game that is expected to launch in time for the 2009 baseball season.
Natsume has shipped Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon for the DS to stores.
Continue reading Rune Factory 2: A Fantasy Harvest Moon Ships for the DS.
Electronic Arts' game Need for Speed Undercover is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS. The game should reach stores in Europe on Friday.
Continue reading Need for Speed Undercover Reaches Stores in North America.
Konami's game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore 2 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii is now in stores. The game features 40 new songs that players can sing and then be judged by the celebrities from the television series, American Idol.
Mad Catz reported its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Continue reading Mad Catz Reports Second Quarter Loss.
Ignition Entertainment's scrolling shooter Metal Slug 7 is now in stores for the DS. The game includes seven new missions and six playable characters with which to further the long-running series.
Crytek, the developer behind games such as Far Cry and Crysis, recently opened an office in South Korea that will focus on supporting licensees of the Crytek's middleware. The office is led by Young Mok Park.
The Sims 2: Mansion and Garden Stuff Pack from Electronic Arts is in stores today. This pack adds three new architectural styles and landscaping elements to the simulation game The Sims 2 for the PC.
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
It's not dangerous... it's dangeresque! Fans have been clamoring for years for Dangeresque 3: The Criminal Projective, after seeing the first two Dangeresque shorts in Strong Bad's e-mails on HomestarRunner.com. Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People is the perfect vehicle for fan appeasement, able to offer a longer and more in-depth super-spy experience. And one in which Strong Bad most certainly does not use a stunt double. No way!
Today marks the second anniversary of the PlayStation 3's launch in North America. Sony reports that there are now almost 17 million PlayStation 3 units around the world, and that the console finally has a respectable game library.
Electronic Arts has shipped NCAA Basketball '09 to stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2. This latest installment in EA's college basketball franchise adds more extensive animations to make the game look even more realistic.
Telltale Games has released Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Episode 4 - Dangeresque 3 as a download for the PC and the Wii. This fourth installment in the episodic Strong Bad-themed adventure from Telltale Games, fulfills fan fantasies by providing the long-awaited third installment in this mock-action movie franchise.
Ubisoft's game Shaun White Snowboarding for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS is now in stores. The Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game use the same engine from Assassin's Creed to have players snowboard in the game develped in collaboration with gold-medalist Shaun White.
Continue reading Shaun White Snowboarding Reaches Stores.
Another four downloadable games have been released on the Wii this week, two through the WiiWare program and two for the Wii Virtual Console:
Continue reading Four Downloadable Games Released for the Wii.
Electronic Arts has shipped the Spore Creepy & Cute Parts Pack for Spore (and the Spore Creature Creator to stores worldwide for the PC and Mac. The pack adds 60 new creature parts, 48 new paint options and 24 new animations for (gasp!) $20. The new horrifying and ultra-cute creature parts should reach store shelves later this week.
Midway's game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game should reach stores in Europe on Thursday, November 21.
Continue reading Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Reaches Stores.
Publisher: MidwayDeveloper: Midway
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Just as the superheroes of the DC Universe were about to defeat the foul magical manipulator Darkseid, and the armies he had brought through dimensional portals known as "Boom Tubes," Superman destabilized a portal through which Darkseid was fleeing, opening up a link to yet another dimension. That other dimension happened to be Mortal Kombat's Realms, a universe that occupies the same time and space as the DC Universe, but in a parallel dimension. At exactly the same time in the Mortal Kombat universe, Shao Khan prepares to be punished for his crimes, violating the rules of Mortal Kombat, and is knocked into a portal between worlds by the bolts of Raiden, god of thunder.
The defeated Darkseid fused with Shao Khan's foul magics, becoming a staggeringly powerful being calling itself Dark Kahn. Dark Kahn is reaching out to fuse the two universes, turning the overlapping worlds into a nexus of evil, and infusing everyone with a mystical rage that forces them to fight, fueling the combination. Only by defeating Dark Kahn can the merging of the two universes be stopped, restoring peace and order to the world.
Continue reading Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe Review.
Nintendo's game Animal Crossing: City Folk is now in stores for the Wii. Not only does this installment in the Animal Crossing series of free-form simulations bring the game to the Wii, it also introduces an urban setting where players can get haircuts, purchase clothing and put objects up for auction.
Guitar Hero: On Tour - Decades from Activision (part of Activision Blizzard) lands in stores today in North America (it was released in Europe on Friday). The game expands the Guitar Hero on the DS by adding songs from the 1970s through today to the set list available in the original game.
City Interactive's game Chronicles of Mystery: The Scorpio Ritual is now available in stores for the PC. The adventure game was previously dubbed Testament of Sin and has players working to solve an ancient mystery to locate the player's uncle, a fellow archaeologist.
Codemasters has reached an agreement with Activision Blizzard to acquire developer Swordfish Studios. Swordfish is based in Birmingham, U.K. and most recently worked on 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. As part of Codemasters, Swordfish will focus on making new games using Codemasters' Ego Engine.
Publisher: Bethesda SoftworksDeveloper: Bethesda Softworks
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
The year is 2277. Two hundred years after a global thermonuclear war destroyed the world as we know it, humanity is barely clinging to existence in the irradiated wastelands that were once the heart of civilization. Most of humanity was exterminated. A few survived the cancers and mutations to scavenge an existence out of ancient ruins, and a lucky few survived underground in shelters known as "Vaults," constructed by Vault-Tec Industries. Nineteen years old, you are one of those Vault-Dwellers, but when your father goes wandering out into the harsh wasteland surrounding the ruins of Washington D.C., you leave the vault as well, to forge a fate of your own choosing.
Continue reading Fallout 3 Review.
Microsoft, in conjunction with developer Rare, has released its game for the Xbox 360, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. The game brings the famous bird and bear pair of action heroes back to build their own vehicles and determine the rightful owner of Spiral Mountain.
Publisher: SonyDeveloper: Insomniac Games
Platform: PlayStation 3
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
Resistance: Fall of Man explored the United States' entry into the conflict against the Chimera in July of 1951. The Chimera had been genetically transforming humanity into their own soldiers, and quickly overwhelming Europe and Asia. Nathan Hale, a lone U.S. Soldier, briefly helped turn the tide of battle in Britain. But that was months ago. The Chimera have brought their fleets to North America, and by 1953 most of America is a smoking ruin. Hale, infected with the Chimeran virus, may be the country's and the world's only hope... if he doesn't transform into the enemy first.
Continue reading Resistance 2 Review.
Midway reported its financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Continue reading Midway Reports $76 Million Third-Quarter Loss.
Electronic Arts' game Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 is reaching stores today for the Xbox 360. The game shipped two weeks ago for the PC.
Continue reading Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 Available for the Xbox 360.
NCsoft has determined that Dirk Metzger will assume the position of Vice President of Marketing at the recently created NCsoft West.
Continue reading Metzger to head Marketing for NCsoft West.
Capcom's piratical game Age of Booty, previously released for other platforms, has now reached the PlayStation 3. For $10, PlayStation 3 owners can download this game that puts them at the helm of a pirate ship, bent on destroying other pirates and capturing towns.
Electronic Arts plans to release Active under its EA Sports label in the first half of 2009. The game will be released for the Wii and will include straps to bind the Wii Nunchuk controller to your leg. Overall, the software should provide activities designed to "get you motivated to move in the comfort of your own home."
Despite a long, slow start, Microsoft is still planning to update its "Games For Windows: Live" program to bring it more in line with the capabilities of Xbox Live. The in-game interface is being improved, and by early December, there will be a marketplace offering trailers, demos and downloadable content. Of course, where Xbox Live carved out a new niche in the console space, Games For Windows: Live has a lot of competition, and will live and die by its exclusive arrangements with publishers.
Electronic Arts has entered into an agreement with Korean game portal Hangame to bring Mythic's Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning to Korean audiences. The massively multiplayer online game should be released in Korea next year.
Hasbro Family Game Night from Electronic Arts is now available in stores for the Wii and PlayStation 2. The game supports up to four players, with Mr. Potato Head hosting six Hasbro games.
Continue reading Hasbro Family Game Night Reaches Stores for the Wii and PlayStation 2.
Candella Systems has released its game Pyroblazer as a download for the PC through several download portals. Pyroblazer has players racing anti-gravity vehicles that happen to be armed to the teeth, and eager to blast fellow racers off the course.
Blizzard Entertainment, part of Activision Blizzard, has launched World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, the second retail expansion for its massively multiplayer game World of Warcraft. The expansion went on sale in many locations at midnight, but if you don't live near a midnight sales event, will certainly be available later this morning.
Continue reading World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Now Available.
NCsoft released certain information concerning its third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Continue reading NCsoft Reports Lower Net Income.
Funcom has worked out a deal with Neowiz Games to bring its massively multiplayer online game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures to audiences in Korea. Neowiz will manage the game in Korea, but will work with Funcom on localizing the game and content updates. A Korean release date is not yet official.
Square Enix has entered into a strategic partnership with Gas Powered Games that will see Square Enix publish the now in development real-time strategy game Supreme Commander 2. Release dates and platforms for Supreme Commander 2 have not yet been announced.
Matrix Games, together with developer AGEOD, has released World War One: La Grande Guerre as a download for the PC. The game includes four campaigns and a variety of scenarios based on the military and political situation in Europe during the First World War and allows players to take control of any of eight nations.
Two Star Wars: The Clone Wars from LucasArts games have reaches stores, one for the Wii and one for the DS.
Continue reading Star Wars: The Clone Wars Reaches the Wii and DS.
Richard Garriott, using his "General British" handle, posted a note on the official Tabula Rasa site that he is leaving NCsoft to pursue "other interests."
Continue reading Richard Garriott Leaving NCsoft.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World for the Wii to stores in North America. The game extends the story of Tales of Symphonia, bringing the franchise to the Wii.
Continue reading Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World Ships for the Wii.
CCP Games has launched the content expansion Quantum Rise for its massively multiplayer online game Eve Online. The expansion includes a server migration that should dramatically improve the scale and speed of player battles, adds a variety of quests and changes the starscape (moving a variety of jump gates and changing stargate routes).
Namco Bandai Games has shipped National Geographic Panda for the DS to stores in North America. The game has players nurturing and playing with pandas using the DS touchscreen and comes packaged with a Secrets of the Wild Panda DVD.
Publisher cdv Software Entertainment has shipped Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the PC to stores in North America. The expansive role-playing game will be available shortly through various download services.
Continue reading The PC Version of Sacred 2: Fallen Angel Ships to Stores.
Konami has shipped Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 to stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation 2 and PSP. This latest iteration in Konami's soccer franchise features updated graphics and new customization options.
Xseed Games has shipped Populous DS to stores in North America. This is a version of the classic PC game re-imagined for the DS in which players take on the role of gods, leading large native populations by enacting miracles and altering the landscape. The DS version adds new godly powers (and demonic counterparts) to the options available in the original PC version.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped Call of Duty: World at War to stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PC (with a version available for the DS).
Continue reading Call of Duty: World at War Ships to Stores.
Publisher: THQDeveloper: Volition
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
It's been five years since the events of Saint's Row, when a prominent member of the Third-Street Saints was betrayed and nearly killed by an exploding boat. Freshly awoken from a long-term coma, that bomb-victim has to rebuild the gang and reconquer a city ruled by a new trio of gangs and over-developed by the Ultor Corporation.
Continue reading Saint's Row 2 Review.
Electronic Arts has shipped Mirror's Edge to stores worldwide. The game should now be available for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, with the PC version scheduled to ship in January.
Continue reading Mirror's Edge Ships for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Nyko's previously announced Wing Controller for the Wii has shipped to stores and is available for $30.
Continue reading Nyko's Wireless Wing Controller Ships for the Wii.
Empire Interactive has shipped Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams for the DS to stores in North America. The game features the eponymous kitty leaving Sanrio Town with her friends to explore life in the big city by playing a series of mini-games using the DS touchscreen.
Atlus' game Eternal Poison for the PlayStation 2 is North American stores today. The game is a strategic role-playing game set in a fantasy world that is quickly being overrun by demons.
Russian publisher 1C is planning to release King's Bounty: Armored Princess in the near future. The title will be an add-on for the turn-based strategy game King's Bounty: The Legend, a recently-released turn-based strategy game for the PC.
Continue reading King's Bounty: Armored Princess in Development.
Electronic Arts has shipped FaceBreaker K.O. Party for the Wii to stores in North America. This Wii boxing game was designed to use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk to control arcade-style boxing action.
WizKids, a subsidiary of Topps, "will immediately cease operations and discontinue its product lines." WizKids specialized in collectible tabletop games such as HeroClix and Pirates!. The company says "Topps will immediately pursue strategic alternatives so that viable brands and properties, including HeroClix, can continue without noticeable disruption." Presumably, that means Topps is hoping to sell WizKids' games.
Ubisoft has acquired all the assets and personnel of Massive Entertainment from Activision Blizzard, along with the World in Conflict brand for games.
Continue reading Ubisoft Acquires Massive Entertainment.
Infogrames, the parent of Atari, announced certain fiscal results for the first half of its fiscal year, a six-month period ended September 30, 2008.
Continue reading Infogrames Reports Large First-Half Loss.
Nintendo's game Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia for the DS is in stores today. The game continues the long-running series of Pokemon games, but this title has players capturing Pokemon by circling them on the touch screen and then using those captured Pokemon to overcome other challenges like extinguishing forest fires or delivering packages.
Activision Blizzard has acquired developer Budcat Creations, a studio that is in the process of developing a new Guitar Hero game and has worked on several games in the Guitar Hero for Activision in the recent past. Budcat Creations will continue to be based in Iowa City, Iowa, but will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision Publishing (part of Activision Blizzard).
Nintendo has launched three more downloadable games for the Wii, two under the WiiWare rubric and one classic game under the Virtual Console label:
Continue reading Three More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii.
THQ's WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP and DS. This latest installment in THQ's wrestling game franchise adds a tag-team co-operative storyline to the usual single-player mode and introduces downloadable content to the series.
Midway's Board of Directors has appointed Peter Brown as the Chairman of the Board. Shari Redstone (daughter of majority shareholder Sumner Redstone) recently resigned from the Board of Directors. Brown has served on the Midway Board since 2005, and is Chairman, CEO and President of AMC Entertainment.
Tri Synergy has shipped its adventure game for the PC Last Half of Darkness: Beyond the Spirit's Eye to stores in North America. The game features a town where all the residents are controlled by an ancient jewel and whose curse can only be broken through point-and-click adventure gaming.
Atari (part of Infogrames) confirmed that it has taken over as the publisher for Ghostbusters: The Video Game. The game is set two years after the events of the film Ghostbusters II, is written by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd and will feature voice acting talent of the actors from the film. The game should be released next year for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2, DS and PC.
Gears of War 2 from Microsoft and Epic Games is now available for the Xbox 360. The game extends the battle against the invading Locust armies that started in the original Gears of War.
Ubisoft's game Tom Clancy's EndWar is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game is set during an hypothetical World War III and is designed to allow players to control the action through voice commands.
Aksys Games has shipped Princess On Ice for the DS to stores in North America. The game has players building up the skills of an ice skater by tapping on the DS touchscreen in time with the music.
Mad Catz has entered into a licensing agreement with Nintendo that will allow Mad Catz to make Rock Band peripherals for the Wii, including a bass guitar and a portable drum set.
Electronic Arts added Geraldine Laybourne to the company's Board of Directors yesterday. Ms. Laybourne worked at Nickelodeon for 16 years and founded Oxygen Media (a network launched in 2000 for young women). Undoubtedly, Ms. Laybourne was invited to join the board to enhance EA's efforts to create casual games targeted at women and children.
Peripheral manufacturer Nyko has shipped its updated Intercooler line (dubbed the "Intercooler TS") for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Intercooler TS clips onto the back of the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 (different versions are available for each console) and increases the airflow through the console to ensure that the console functions at an appropriate temperature.
Bethesda Softworks, part of ZeniMax Media, is pleased to let everyone know that the company shipped around 4.7 million copies of Fallout 3 worldwide last week for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. As Bethesda points out, should all those copies be sold, that would represent retail sales of around $300 million.
Ubisoft's line of Petz Rescue games for the Wii and DS are now in stores. In Ubisoft's words, these games fulfill "...every child's dream of protecting the planet and preserving diverse animal life..." Apparently, kids these days have different dreams than the FI staff enjoyed.
Continue reading Petz Rescue Games Reach Stores.
Midway has appointed Ryan G. O'Desky as the company's Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President. He has been serving in that position on an interim basis since February, and joined Midway a year prior to that.
Activision Blizzard announced its financial results for its fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Sony has launched the v2.52 firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3. The minor update fixes text entry issues and improves the playback quality of certain PlayStation 3 format software.
THQ announced its financial results for its fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2008.
Legendary from Gamecock Media Group (part of SouthPeak Games) is now in North American stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The PC version should ship to stores on November 18.
Continue reading Legendary Reaches Stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Activision and Microsoft have launched the latest downloadable game for Xbox Live Arcade. Vigilante 8: Arcade was developed by Isopod Labs and is an off-road vehicular combat game in which players drive 1970s-style vehicles and compete in battles of up to eight players. Two previous Vigilante 8 games were released in the era of the original PlayStation.
Aspyr Media has shipped its title futureU for the DS to stores in North America. The PC and Mac versions of this SAT preparation software shipped in September. Developed in collaboration with Kaplan Test Prep, the software is designed to help prepare students for the SATs.
Publisher City Interactive plans to open an office in Spain to expand its European business. City Interactive will use funds raised in its recent Initial Public Offering to make its entrance as a publisher in the Spanish market.
Sega has shipped its game Valkyria Chronicles to stores in North America for the PlayStation 3. This role-playing game is set in a parallel version of Europe from the 1930s, in which players battle for their freedom, stuck in a battle between two warring powers.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade for the Xbox 360 to stores. This compilation of around 30 games ranging from classic arcade titles to recent Xbox Live Arcade games is available for $30.
Continue reading Namco Museum: Virtual Arcade Ships for the Xbox 360.
Square Enix's Taito Label has shipped Exit DS, not surprisingly, for the DS. The game has players working as professional escape artist Mr. Esc, helping save folks from a variety of extreme (and often strange) disasters.
The United States has elected Barack Obama as the nation's next president. What does this mean for gamers? Probably very little. While Obama has on various occasions encouraged gamers to put down the games, get out and do things, he has also invested in advertising within video games, acknowledging the importance of gamers as a demographic. And he won't be nearly as abusive of games as the alternative candidate, McCain.
Score International: Baja 1000 - The Official Game from Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PlayStation 2 and PC. The game is based on the famous desert race held by Score International in which multiple classes of vehicles (ranging from Trucks to ATVs and motorcycles) race down the Baja Peninsula.
Namco Bandai Games' title Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm is now available for the PlayStation 3. The game has characters from the popular Naruto anime fighting throughout the Hidden Leaf Village.
Sony has released Resistance 2 for the PlayStation 3 in North America. This sequel to the first-person shooter Resistance: Fall of Man has players battling Chimera forces that have invaded North America.
Continue reading Resistance 2 is Available for the PlayStation 3.
Pet Pals: Animal Doctor from Legacy Interactive is now in North American stores for the Wii. The game has players acting as a veterinarian taking care of various household pets using the Wii to diagnose and treat the animals.
Ultimate I Spy from Scholastic Media is now in stores in North America for the Wii. This hidden-object game has players navigating 3D environments to solve riddles that ultimately unlock a mysterious machine.
Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals from Legacy Interactive is now in North American stores for the DS. The game has players taking on the role of a veterinarian caring for a group of zoo animals including penguins, elephants and komodo dragons, using the DS touchscreen to diagnose and treat the animals.
Goosebumps HorrorLand from Scholastic Media is now in stores in North America for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS. Based on the line of young adult novels, the game has players experiencing carnival rides and mini-games in a spooky theme park.
Korg DS-10 from Xseed Games is now in North American stores for the DS. The software is a musical tool that implements many of the features of the MS-10 synthesizer on the DS, allowing DS owners to make music using the DS touchscreen.
Stardock plans to release a game called Elemental: War of Magic for the PC in the first quarter of 2010. The game will set players up as rulers of a kingdom, able to channel magic and lead their kingdoms in a single player campaign or a persistent, online, multiplayer mode.
Namco Networks has launched its game Rolling with Katamari for mobile phones in North America. Like other Katamari games, the game has the Prince of All Cosmos rolling together everything from tiny trash to mountains to form stars with which to repopulate the night sky.
Monster Lab from Eidos, part of SCi Entertainment, has reached stores for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and DS. The game is "set in the supernatural world of Uncanny Valley" where players must construct monsters to defeat the Baron Mharti who rules over the valley.
Dragon Ball: Origins from Atari, part of Infogrames, is now available in stores. This fighting game for the DS is based on the original Dragon Ball animated series (set before the Dragon Ball Z saga) but features many of the same characters battling it out on the small, dual screens of the DS.
Kung Fu Panda: Legendary Warriors from Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, can now be found on store shelves. Following the success of the original Kung Fu Panda game (and the related film), Po the Panda returns to protect the Valley of Peace using a variety of kung fu attackes.
Dragon Ball Z: Infinite Worlds from Atari, part of Infogrames, is now available in stores. This is (according to Atari) the last Dragon Ball Z game that will be released for the PlayStation 2, and is a fighting game that pulls elements from all the DBZ games that have come before, including Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit.
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa from Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, is now in stores in North America. The game is based on the film of the same name (that reaches theaters on Thursday) and is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PlayStation 2 and DS. The game follows the events of the film through a series of adventure levels and mini-games.
Gameloft has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Marvel Entertainment that will allow Gameloft to start publishing games based on certain Marvel properties starting in 2009. The first such game to be released will be a game based on Spider-Man, due out in 2009, with a game based on Iron Man to be released the following year.
It's Monday again, and Nintendo has released another three downloadable games for the Wii under the WiiWare and Virtual Console labels:
Continue reading Three More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii.
Cryptic Studios, the developer behind Champions Online and Star Trek Online, has hired Bill Roper as Design Director for its massively multiplayer online game Champions Online.
Continue reading Bill Roper Becomes Online Champion.
THQ plans to release Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor for the PC in the first half of 2009. The game will continue the real-time strategy franchise by taking players through three more World War II campaigns and will be developed by THQ's Relic Entertainment studio.
