May 2009 Archives
Infogrames reported certain financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading Infogrames Reports Massive Loss and Continues Rebranding.
Mad Catz has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft that will allow Mad Catz to manufacture and sell Xbox 360-branded wireless gaming controllers.
Continue reading Mad Catz Gets License to Make Xbox 360 Controllers.
JoWooD has released certain details concerning its financial performance for the first quarter of 2009:
Continue reading JoWooD Reports First Quarter Profit.
This week's downloadable game for Sony's platforms is Resident Evil Director's Cut. It can now be downloaded for the PlayStation 3 and PSP. This is a remake of the original Resident Evil that includes altered scenes and extended play.
According to a post by the game's community manager, The Matrix Online will shut down on July 31, 2009. As of June 1, current subscribers to the massively multiplayer online game will no longer be billed, and anyone who purchased pre-paid game time will be refunded for time after June 1. The Matrix Online is currently planning a climactic world-ending event prior to shutting down the servers.
by Kyle AckermanIf It's Focus Tested, It's Not Art
A lot of breath and plenty of text has been wasted debating the issue of whether video and computer games are (or even can be) art. Participants in the debate range from angry teenagers defending their favorite pastime on forum boards to established members of academia and the press with graduate degrees in areas like film or art history making their arguments on... well... forum boards. (And sometimes in established journals and newspapers.)
Continue reading Focus Tested Art.
Aksys Games has shipped Jake Hunter Detective Story: Memories of the Past for the DS to stores in North America. The game, developed by WorkJam, adds three new mysteries to the Jake Hunter franchise (along with some comedic relief). It also includes three remastered mysteries from the original Jake Hunter hunter game.
Playlogic's game Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships is now in stores for the PC. The title is a role-playing game in which players navigate around the Caribbean allying themselves with the English, French, Spanish or Dutch.
Midway Games has established a timeline for the sale of its assets. Midway's financial advisor, Lazard, will accept binding offers through June 24 (assuming those offers comply with procedures that will be announced on June 2). On June 29, an auction will be held to determine the combination of bids that result in the highest payment to Midway's creditors. As previously reported, Warner Bros. Entertainment has already offered to acquire most of Midways assets for $33 million, setting a likely minimum value for the auction.
Two Challenge Me games for the DS from O-Games, part of Oxygen Games, are in stores. Challenge Me: Brain Puzzles is a collection of brain teasers, while Challenge Me: Math Workout focuses on mathmatical puzzles. Both are intended to work out the brain and increase mental acuity.
Microsoft was pleased to let everyone know that it has sold 30 million Xbox 360 consoles and has more than 20 million active Xbox Live members. Microsoft also noted that (according to NPD Group), 8.3 Xbox 360 games have been sold per console.
38 Studios, the entertainment company and development house founded by Curt Schilling, has completed the acquisition of developer Big Huge Games, best known for the Rise of Nations games and the implementation of Catan on the Xbox 360. While specific terms were not disclosed, this is a bit of a change from the previous expectation that Big Huge Games would be acquired by THQ.
Ubisoft announced certain financial results for its full fiscal year ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Decent Fiscal Year Results.
Retail and rental chain Blockbuster is starting a pilot game rental program. Blockbuster already entered the online (by mail) film rental business to compete with Netflix, and is now launching a pilot program in the Cleveland area. As with the company's film rentals, customers will be able to rent games both from local stores and by mail. At least, if the program is extended beyond Cleveland.
The Zeebo, the previously announced mobile-phone-gaming-device masquerading as a console, has gone on sale in Brazil. For 499 Brazilian Reais (around $250), Brazilian gamers can purchase a 3G enabled device that connects to a TV and can play games available on mobile phones. The console comes pre-loaded with FIFA 2009, Need for Speed Carbon and Brain Challenge. More games are available for download, such as the original Quake.
Continue reading The Zeebo Available For Purchase in Brazil.
Square Enix has released Yosumin! for the PC and for the Xbox 360. The PC version is available through major download portals and, like the Xbox 360 version, has players identifying rectangles with particular color patterns to make them disappear.
Three more games are available for download this morning for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Three More Games Available For Download Through Xbox Live Arcade.
Codemasters has shipped its game Damnation for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in North America. The game shipped in Europe late last week. In Damnation, players take on the role of Captain Hamilton Rourke as he unearths the dirty secrets behind Prescott Standard Industries. (Surprise! It includes super-soldiers and steampunk monsters.)
The PlayStation 2 version of the previously released PSP game, Secret Agent Clank, has now shipped to stores in North America. Ported by Sanzaru Games, the game still has players taking on the role of Clank, in his "secret agent persona" trying to clear Ratchet of a crime for which Ratchet was falsely accused. Unfortunately, while Ratchet remains imprisoned, he must battle criminals he was responsible for catching.
Atlus has shipped its game Crimson Gem Saga for the PSP to stores in North America. This role-playing game offers 2D art and a complex battle system attempting to capture the epitome of the Japanese-role-playing game experience.
Microsoft not only confirmed that it plans to release a new version of the Zune portable media player that will play high-definition video and include an HD radio receiver, it also confirmed that the Zune will interact more closely with Xbox Live. The details were vague (and are apparently being saved for E3) but it seems that the Xbox 360 will play video from the Zune, and in some way, Zune users will be able to purchase videos through the Xbox Live Marketplace.
THQ's Executive Vice President of Publishing, Scott Guthrie, has resigned (effective immediately). Prior to resigning to "pursue another opportunity," Guthrie oversaw North American sales and distribution for THQ.
NIS America has shipped Cross Edge, a role-playing game for the PlayStation 3, to stores in North America. Featuring characters from a variety of other RPGs, the game has characters from Disgaea, Darkstalkers, Mana Khemia 2, Ar tonelico and Spectral Souls, the game features a complex battle system allowing the many characters to attack one another.
Nintendo has shipped its software Personal Trainer: Walking for the DS to stores in North America. The software comes with two "Activity Meter" accessories that track every step you take during the day and then can send data wirelessly to the DS where the software tracks up to five years of walking data to help DS owners avoid becoming overly sedentary.
Take-Two Interactive announced its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2009:
Continue reading Take-Two Interactive Reports Quarterly Loss.
NovaLogic has released its game Delta Force: Xtreme 2 for the PC. The game, in which players take on the role of Delta Force soldiers battling in Asia, includes 10 single-player missions and nine co-operative missions. The game, with an additional premium subscription, also supports multiplayer games with up to 150 players.
Harmonix, part of MTV Games, in conjunction with Electronic Arts, has shipped Rock Band Unplugged for the PSP to stores in North America and Europe. Developed by Backbone Entertainment (part of Foundation 9 Entertainment) the game takes 41 songs (nine of which have not been released for other Rock Band games and allows gamers to play along using the PSP as their instrument.
Paradox Interactive has released Restaurant Empire 2 for the PC. The game is a business management simulation in which players run a cafe.
Developer and Publisher Turbine has appointed Nate Jones as Vice President of Corporate and Business Development. Prior to joining Turbine, Jones held a similar post at Glu Mobile. The appointment suggests that Turbine is planning to extend its presence in the casual and mobile gaming arenas.
Merscom has launched Righteous Kill 2: Revenge of the Poet Killer as a download for the PC through major portals. The game, based on the film Righteous Kill, is a hidden-object game in which players analyze crime scenes to track down a killer.
Sony's game inFAMOUS for the PlayStation 3 is now available in stores. The game casts players as Cole MacGrath, a man who gains superpowers after an explosion transforms Empire City. While exploring Empire City, players can confront the decay of Empire City in this game developed by Sucker Punch Productions.
THQ has shipped its game Up based on the Pixar film of the same name to stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PSP, DS, PlayStation 2 and Mac. Players take on the role of Carl Fredricksen as he takes his house to South America. The game supports cooperative play throughout the entire game.
It may be the Memorial Day Holiday in the U.S.A., but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from releasing its usual slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii and DSi.
Focus Home Interactive has released the English language version of Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper as a download for the PC. Currently the game is only available through The Adventure Shop. This adventure game pits the famous detective Sherlock Holmes against England's most famous serial killer.
The first full-length trailer for Modern Warfare 2 is coming this Sunday – here are the details:
Continue reading Modern Warfare 2 Trailer This Sunday.
Publisher: D3PublisherDeveloper: Wideload Shorts
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Texas Cheat'Em is a variation on the recently popular Texas Hold 'Em variety of poker that allows players to cheat, changing the values of cards, stealing chips and looking at other people's hands to change the fundamental style of Texas Hold 'Em play.
Continue reading Texas Cheat'Em Review.
Midway has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Warner Bros. Entertainment that will see Warner Bros. acquire substantially all the assets of Midway (including its game franchises such as Mortal Kombat) for $33 million. The $33 million number could change before the transaction occurs depending on how much Midway's inventory changes and how much money is owed to Midway by retailers. The agreement is still subject to approval by the bankruptcy court and is a "stalking horse" arrangement, meaning that other parties could still offer to pay more for Midway's assets. But they probably won't.
This week, two games from the original PlayStation can now be downloaded through the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 or PSP:
Continue reading Two Downloadable Games Available Through the PlayStation Network.
Retailer GameStop reported its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended May 2, 2009:
Continue reading GameStop Profits from Used Game Sales.
Casual developer eGames has shipped the retail version of its game Blood Ties for the PC to stores. Developed by Merscom, the game has players helping detective Vicki Nelson and her vampire partner Henry Fitzroy track down members of the Hellfire Club by finding objects hidden in various playscapes.
4mm Games revealed itself unto the world today, announcing its plans to "create and support a slate of high-profile properties." 4mm was founded by President Jamie King (a co-founder of Rockstar Games), Chief Technology Officer Gary Foreman (another co-founder of Rockstar Games), Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Perrett (a former executive of Image Metrics) and Executive Vice President Paul Coyne (formerly a Vice President at NBC).
Publisher: D3PublisherDeveloper: Infinite Interactive
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC, DS
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
A fledgling pilot, you rebel against your corporate overlords in an effort to save humanity from extinction at the hands of a horrifying experiment. You do this by matching tiles to win interstellar battles between heavily armed ships.
Continue reading Puzzle Quest Galactrix Review (PlayStation 3).
Publisher: D3PublisherDeveloper: Infinite Interactive
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3,
PC, DS
Reviewed on DS
A fledgling pilot, you rebel against your corporate overlords in an effort to save humanity from extinction at the hands of a horrifying experiment. You do this by matching tiles to win interstellar battles between heavily armed ships.
Continue reading Puzzle Quest Galactrix Review (DS).
Sony Online Entertainment has launched Rise of Serkan, the tenth expansion for the online collectible strategy game PoxNora (developed by SOE Tucson, formerly known as Octopi). Rise of Serkan adds 70 new runes, an "equipment" mechanic and a new campaign with four encounters.
Two more games have arrived as downloadable Xbox Live Arcade titles for the Xbox 360:
Continue reading Two More Xbox Live Arcade Games Released.
Matrix Games has released Commander - Europe at War Gold! as a download or a physical shipment form Matrix Games' site. The gold version is effectively the same as the v1.12 patch (which is now available for those who already own the game) and brings the game up to the same state as the versions available for the DS and PSP.
Publisher: PopCap GamesDeveloper: PopCap Games
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC and Mac
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: 1.2 GHz Processor, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 8, internet connection, Windows 2000 or more recent operating system
PopCap is well known for cute, almost kitschy, games that seem casual on the exterior but offer the play that serious gamers enjoy. Best known for Bejeweled and Peggle, they have entered into the castle defense subgenre of games with Plants Vs Zombies (PvZ). Taking things literally, your home really is your castle, and the invaders are zombies. You fend them off with your garden. Sound a little surreal? It is, but in true PopCap fashion, it has that drug-like ability to steal your time in big chunks before you even realize it's 3am. With a humorous slant and a goofy personality, PopCap has fashioned another thoroughbred for its stable.
Continue reading Plants Vs Zombies (PC) Review.
Atlus has shipped its game Steal Princess for the DS to stores in North America. Steal Princess is a puzzle-oriented platformer in which a young thief endeavors to rid the land of a demon.
Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) has shipped Terminator Salvation to stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. The game is set two years prior to the events of the film of the same name, and has players taking on the role of John Connor battling the forces of Skynet.
Electronic Arts has shipped Boom Blox: Bash Party for the Wii to stores in North America. The game, developed in conjunction with Steven Spielberg, should reach Europe on May 28. The game includes 400 new levels and twice as many multiplayer challenges as the original puzzle game.
Zoe Mode (a company that primarily makes music and party games), part of Kuju Entertainment, plans to launch a studio in San Francisco on June 1. The Studio will be led by Sarah Stocker (formerly of Sony Computer Entertainment's Studio 5) and Mark Danks (formerly Senior Manager of Developer Relations for Sony Computer Entertainment). The San Francisco studio will expand Zoe Mode's North American presence.
THQ has shipped UFC 2009 Undisputed for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to stores worldwide. This wrestling game has players controlling top Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters in mixed martial arts combat.
NIS America has shipped Puchi Puchi Virus for the DS to stores in North America. This puzzle game has players forming triangles by linking like-colored viruses together.
Two of Konami's Yu-Gi-Oh!-themed games have reached stores in North America:
Continue reading Two Yu-Gi-Oh!-Themed Games Reach Stores.
Capcom has shipped Bionic Commando for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to stores. Inspired by the 8-bit game of the same name originally released for the NES, Bionic Commando has Nathan Spencer using his bionic arm to battle enemies of the state. The PC version of the game is currently schedule for release in July.
Harmonix (part of MTV Games), in conjunction with Electronic Arts, has released the Rock Band Track Pack: Classic Rock for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2. This disc includes 20 classic rock songs and is, essentially, an alternative to downloading these songs through Xbox Live or the PlayStation Network.
True Games has "officially" launched its game Warrior Epic, an online "free-to-play" massive multiplayer online game. That means that the game's item shop is now open, allowing players to pay for items to "enhance" the fun of the game. Developed by Possibility Space, the game has players controlling a variety of warriors in a fantasy-themed world.
Electronic Arts has shipped Active for the Wii to stores in North America. The software should reach stores worldwide by May 22. The game includes 25 activities and exercises that are monitored by strapping the Wii Nunchuk to the leg. The game was developed in conjunction With Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer, Bob Greene.
Funcom's massively multiplayer online game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventure will turn one year old on Wednesday. To celebrate, there will be in-game fireworks celebrations this week. To kindle interest in the game, Funcom points out that it has shipped 1.2 million copies of the game, has polished the game considerably since launch and says that it is "seeing a significant increase in players and new customers" despite recent widespread server closures.
Nintendo's remake of Punch Out!! is now available for the Wii in retail stores. This remake of the classic NES game uses the Wii's motion-sensitive control scheme to allow players to box familiar characters like Glass Joe and King Hippo. The game also adds new modes to the original, including multiplayer boxing.
We've reached another Monday, so Nintendo has continued its weekly tradition of releasing downloadable games, with four more games for the Wii and DSi:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases Four More Downloadable Games.
Focus Home Interactive has launched its game Dungeon Party. The game is a comedic dungeon crawl that is free-to-play. Of course, what makes the launch official is the cash shop, that allows players to pay to make the game entertaining.
Valcon Games has released Raiden Fighter Aces for the Xbox 360. The game includes all three of the coin-operated Raiden Fighter shooter games on one disc.
Tripwire Interactive's co-operative survival/horror game, Killing Floor, is now available as a download through Valve's "Steam" service. The game allows up to six players to work together to eliminate zombie like products of super-soldier experiments.
Quite a few downloadable games have been released for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PSP, including a game that is free, for the moment:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Released for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Majesco Entertainment's game Drama Queens is now in stores for the DS. The game is a 3D board game designed for tween girls in which players compete to become the "most popular queen diva."
Merscom has launched its game Mystic Emporium as a download through major download portals for the PC.Mystic Emporium is a time management game in which (rather than running something like a diner) players take on the role of a witch running a shop full of potions and monsters.
Sony is launching the v2.76 update for the PlayStation 3.The update is a tweak that improves the functionality of an assortment of PlayStation 3 software.
Majesco Entertainment's game Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian to stores in North America. Based on the film of the same name, the game is being released for the Xbox 360, Wii, PC and DS.
Continue reading Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Ships to Stores.
Loose Cannon Studios has gone high-profile, announcing that it was recently formed to develop games. Co-Founder Ricci Rukavina (formerly of Disney and Vivendi Games) will be the company's president. Co-Founder Dev Madan will serve as Creative Director, having come from Sucker Punch Studios. Co-Founder Mattew Scott also comes from Sucker Punch and will serve as Technical Director.
Two more games have been released as downloads for the Xbox 360, Star Trek D-A-C and Texas Cheat'em:
Companies are always looking to make a little more money, and entertainment companies often rely on merchandising for that nudge of profitability. To that end, Electronic Arts has engaged Creative Minx Marketing to seek merchandising opportunities for EA's games.
Continue reading EA Wants More Figurines and T-Shirts.
Atlus has shipped its game Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner 2 - Raidou Kuzunoha vs. King Abadon for the PlayStation 2 to stores in North America. Just in case the incredibly long name isn't self-explanatory, this game continues the Shin Megami Tensei franchise of role-playing games with players protecting Japan from King Abaddon.
CDV Software Entertainment has shipped its game Sacred 2: Fallen Angel for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The epic-scale role-playing game previously shipped for the PC and is an action-oriented game in which players battle countless foes.
Konami's game Magician's Quest: Mysterious Times has shipped for the DS to retail stores in North America. This role-playing game has players attending the Magic Academy to attend classes and learn magic while solving mysteries and exploring the magical world.
Eidos, now part of Square Enix, has launched BattleStations: Pacific for the Xbox 360 and PC in conjunction with distributor Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The game continues the Battlestations franchise offering both a Japanese and U.S. naval campaign set during World War II.
Jerry Bruckheimer, the man who has produce films ranging from Top Gun to National Treasure and the Pirates of the Caribbean, recently started a game production company called Jerry Bruckheimer Games to develop game properties. Today, the company announced the appointment of two executives:
Continue reading Bruckheimer Games Appoints Executives.
NCsoft reported its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading NCsoft Reports Increased First Quarter Income.
With the arrival of another Monday, Nintendo has released three more downloadable games for its various platforms:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases Three More Downloadable Games.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has launched its own development group to create content for the PlayStation 3's online social space, PlayStation Home. The group is called "Loot," and is making premium content that can be purchased for players to customize their avatars and virtual residences. The first such offering is a "Living Room Stage Set" that can be purchased for virtual residences for $5 and provides interactive props that would be appropriate on a movie set.
Sony has launched a variety of downloadable games this week for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Network:
Continue reading More Games Downloadable Through the PlayStation Network.
Codemasters' game Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. The game has Larry going to work at his uncle's film studio as he tries to seduce film starlets and make his way in the movie industry.
Activision Blizzard announced its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2009.
Continue reading Activision Blizzard Reports Solid Quarter.
Hardware manufacturer nVidia confirmed its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended April 26, 2009:
Continue reading nVidia Reports Large Quarterly Loss.
Microsoft announced that it intends to acquire BigPark Inc., a Canadian interactive online gaming company. BigPark was founded in 2007 by Wil Mozel, Erik Kiss, Hanno Lemke and Don Mattrick. BigPark is developing a game that will be released exclusively for the Xbox 360.
Electronic Arts has appointed Jeff Huber to the company's board, effective immediately. Huber is a Senior Vice President of Engineering at Google and specializes in large-scale systems design and operations. For his work as a non-employee director, Huber will receive an annual retainer of $50,000 and an option to purchase 17,500 shares of common stock and 2,500 shares of restricted stock.
Nintendo reported certain financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading Nintendo Reports Increased Annual Profits on Strong Sales.
3D Realms, the developer currently best known for its long-time vaporware Duke Nukem Forever has closed down. Take-Two Interactive was slated to publish the game, in development at 3D Realms, but without funds to continue the game, Duke Nukem Forever is finally, officially, dead. Deep Silver and Apogee Software confirmed that development on the handheld game Duke Nukem Trilogy continues.
THQ reported its financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading THQ Has $431 Million Annual Loss.
Richard Garriott
the man behind games such as Tabula Rasa, has filed suit against NCsoft, contending that NCsoft "breached its stock option agreement with Mr. Garriott and/or sought to defraud Mr. Garriott of the value of those options."
Continue reading Garriott Sues NCsoft for $27 Million Over Involuntary Departure.
505 Games, together with Zorro Productions, has shipped The Destiny of Zorro for the Wii to retail stores. The game has players using the Wii remote to battle as the masked swordsman Zorro.
CCP Games' massively multiplayer online game is now six years old, today. The game launched on May 6, 2003 and now claims to have around 300,000 active subscribers. CCP also says that the game has reached as many ass 53,850 concurrent users.
Microsoft has released three downloadable games through Xbox Live today:
Continue reading Three More Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
O'Reilly Media and No Starch Press have are releasing The Blender GameKit: Second Edition this month. The second edition of this book teaching the Blender 3D creation kit is fully revised and update for Blender 2.48.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped Klonoa for the Wii to stores in North America. This Wii game is a port of the game originally released in 1998 as Klonoa: Door to Phantomile in which players save a dreamscape from an encroaching evil. The game has been re-imagined to take advantage of the Wii control scheme.
Electronic Arts announced the preliminary financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2009:
Continue reading Electronic Arts Reports Billion Dollar 2008 Loss.
Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, is pleased to let everyone know that the first map pack for its game Call of Duty: World at War has been downloaded around two million times through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network. While that's primarily gloating, if you assume that all two million downloads paid the $10 asking price, that's an additional $20 million that Activision Blizzard took in so that online players could compete on the four multiplayer maps contained in the download.
BioWare, part of Electronic Arts, has partnered with Green Ronin Publishing to release a pencil & paper role-playing game based on BioWare's upcoming game Dragon Age: Origins. The hobby game is intended to expand the game's universe and should reach stores this summer.
Sony has released Patapon 2 for the PSP in North America. The game is a second outing with the Patapons, a tribe of eyeballs with arms and legs who follow commands from the rhythms beat on drums by their god. The game can be downloaded through the PlayStation Network for $20, or acquired via a voucher purchased in retail stores.
PopCap Games has launched Plants vs. Zombies as a download for the PC. The game is from the same designer who conceived of Insaniquarium and has players deploying plants to defend against hordes of incoming zombies. The game has a variety of play modes but may be best described as a cross between a tower-defense game and Root-Beer Tapper.
In March, Electronic Arts shipped BattleForge to stores. The game is a collectible strategy game in which gamers purchase units that can be used to create armies. As of today, EA has already reduced the price of the base game to $30. That's not necessarily news for most games, but given that the base game comes with a set amount of currency, that's equivalent to debasing the in-game currency to attract more players.
Continue reading EA Debases BattleForge Currency.
Telltale Games has released the second episode of its Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures season, Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures: The Last Resort, as a download for the PC. This episode has the inventor and his pet pooch constructing a beach getaway in their basement.
Sony Online Entertainment recently launched its online persistent world Free Realms, and this week the Free Realms trading card game reaches stores. Created in conjunction with The Topps Company and developed at SOE Denver, the collectible card game is launching with 180 different playable cards and 50 cards that provide downloadable contents for the Free Realms online game.
Nintendo has shipped New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat for the Wii to stores. The game is an adaptation of the title originally released for the GameCube in which players use rhythm to guide Donkey Kong through the jungle, but adapted to the Wii controls.
Electronic Arts has rebranded its EA Redwood Shores Studio as "Visceral Games." Little else will change – the studio will remain part of the "EA Games" label.
Continue reading EA Redwood Shores Gets Visceral.
In response to the arrival of another Monday morning, Nintendo has released more downloadable software for the Wii and the DSi:
Continue reading Four More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii and DSi.
Electronic Arts is pleased to let everyone know that since it released the Spore Creature Creator in June of 2008, players have created around 31 million Spore creatures and uploaded them to the online Spore database. Players have designed around 100 million customized creations, including creatures and vehicles, in total.
Teabagging in online games has become far too common. We won't explain (to those of you who don't know) exactly what the act is, but in online games it's common to see players repeatedly crouching and standing over their slain foes. Gloating like that is rude enough, but when Homer Simpson on an episode of The Simpsons is seen teabagging a dead enemy in a Halo-like game, the whole thing has just become way too common. To those of you spending their online hours teabagging, you're just giving fodder to those who want to say gaming is destroying society.
Publisher: SonyDeveloper: Sony
Platform: PSP
Reviewed on PSP
"Having successfully repelled the Moja invasion, the LocoRoco went back to their harmonious, fun-loving existence, living in peace with the weird and wonderful creatures who share their colorful planet.
"However, unwilling to concede defeat, Bonmucho, the Moja's leader returned home and in cahoots with his evil mother, prepared an even more terrifying attack. Armed with a fearsome sonic weapon – a terrible song that is capable of sucking the life force out of all living things – the Moja are, even now, setting off on a mission to conquer the LocoRoco's peaceful world, intent on changing its joyous tune."
Continue reading LocoRoco 2 Review.
Today is the first day that Nintendo's green DS is available for purchase. The DS bundle, including the green DS, a carrying case and a copy of Personal Trainer: Cooking is now available in stores.
Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, has launched X-Men Origins: Wolverine for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, PSP, PlayStation 2 and DS. The game is based on the film of the same name that reaches theaters today. The action game has players exploring Wolverine's past by using his claws and mutant powers in a series of battles.
Continue reading X-Men Origins: Wolverine Reaches Stores.
