November 2009 Archives
Ubisoft released selected financial results for the first half of its fiscal year ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Large Loss.
Once again, Nintendo has arrived accompanied by the release of a new slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi. Today's releases include:
Continue reading New Downloadable Games Reach the Wii and DSi.
Battlefront.com, together with Atomicboy Software, has released Empires of Steel as a download for the PC. The turn-based strategy game allows up to 20 players to battle, research new technologies and attempt to ultimately dominate a map.
This week's Xbox Live Arcade release is Madden NFL Arcade. Released yesterday through the PlayStation Store, the game can now be downloaded to the Xbox 360 for 1,200 points ($15). The game uses the same engine as the latest Madden football games, but supports five-on-five games and a customizable multiplayer mode.
Konami has shipped Scene It? Twilight for the Wii to stores in North America. This trivia game features around 500 questions concerning Twilight, complete with video clips and music to supplement the questions.
Ubisoft's title Your Shape: Featuring Jenny McCarthy for the Wii is now in stores in North America. The game includes a motion-tracking camera, and creates a customized fitness plan for Wii owners that requires no controller use other than the included camera.
Konami has shipped Karaoke Revolution for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii to stores in North America. This latest game in Konami's karaoke-style game franchise has players singing along to 50 new licensed tracks ranging from Lady Gaga to the Jackson 5.
Neocore has launched its game King Arthur: The Role-Playing Wargame as a download through Valve's Steam service. The game, set in the times of Arthurian legend, mixes elements of role-playing games and strategy games to allow players to rule as a Medieval king.
A variety of new games are available this week as downloads for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including the downloadable LittleBigPlanet PSP and Tekken 6 PSP:
Continue reading More Games Fill the PlayStation Store.
Devolver Digital has released Serious Sam HD: The First Encounter as a download through Valve's Steam service. The game is the same classic first-person shooter previously released, but with updated visuals.
Sony has released SingStar: Latino for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2. This disc includes 30 songs from Latin artists for Sony's karaoke-style sing-along song. There is also now a substantial portfolio of Latin songs available through the SingStore for download.
Matrix Games, together with Ntronium Games, has released Armada 2526 as a download or physical copy mailed from Matrix Games. This strategy game has players building up a galactic empire, but is designed to be played in a more manageable session than typical 4x-style strategy games.
Majesco has shipped Hello Kitty Party for the DS to stores in North America. The title includes 25 mini-games that help Hello Kitty and her friends get ready for a big party.
Peripheral manufacturer Nyko has shipped its Charge Base IC for the Wii to stores. This is a variation on Nyko's Wii Charge Station that uses an induction charging system instead of battery contacts to charge the controllers. The Charge Base IC also includes a USB port that can be used to charge other devices.
Graffiti Entertainment, part of Signature Devices, has shipped Rogue Trooper: The Quartz Zone Massacre for the Wii to stores in North America. The game should be on store shelves by Friday. This third-person action game with shooter and stealth elements is based on the 2000 AD comic in which fallen infantry can have their personalities digitized and inserted into weaponry and equipment.
Publisher: Square EnixDeveloper: Square Enix and PopCap Games
Platforms: Xbox 360 and PC
Reviewed on Xbox 360
Rivel is a powerful summoner, able to invoke powerful beasts to do battle with his masters' foes, and he does so while aiding one of the royal rangers on a difficult quest. You can aid Rivel in his quest thanks to his summoning monsters and doing battle through a variation on Bejewelled Twist.
Continue reading Gyromancer Review.
Publisher Playlogic reported selected financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Playlogic Reports Quarterly Loss.
I-play, part of Oberon Media, has launched Mahjong Memoirs as a download for the PC. Mahjong Memoirs is a collection of Mahjong puzzles connected by a story of wartime romance.
Battlefront.com has released Theater of War 2: Centauro as a download for the PC. Centauro is an expansion to the WWII-themed strategy game Theater of War 2: Africa 1943 that is dedicated to the Italian 131st Armored Division ("Centauro"). The expansion follows the Centauro's battles in North Africa from December 1942 through May 1943.
Another Monday has arrived, so Nintendo has released another slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi through the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases More Downloadable Games for the Wii and DSi.
Publisher: PopCap GamesDeveloper: PopCap Games
Platforms: PC, Mac and Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
It's not enough to attend the Peggle Institute, bouncing balls through fields of pegs, falling into Extreme Fever when pegs are eliminated and racking up high scores. In Peggle Nights, the instructors of the Peggle Institute share their dreams, allowing players to live out their peg-eliminating fantasies in even more levels of Peggle-style fun.
Continue reading Peggle Nights Review (Xbox 360).
Russian publisher 1C and Katauri Interactive have released King's Bounty: Armored Princess, a turn-based strategy game with role-playing game elements and sequel to King's Bounty. This game has Princess Amelie searching for Bill Gilbert, the knight from the first game. The game is available from a variety of download portals and should reach retail stores some time in the future.
More games have been added to the PlayStation Store, including Peggle and a variety of PSP Minis:
Continue reading More Games Reach the PlayStation Store.
Sony has launched the version 6.20 firmware update for the PSP. This update allows PSP owners to import video and photo playlists from a PC or PlayStation 3 and adds support for digital comics.
Retailer GameStop reported the financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended October 31, 2009:
Continue reading GameStop Reports Positive Third Quarter Earnings.
505 Games' title My Ballet Studio is now in stores for the Wii and DS. The Wii version of the game supports the Wii Balance Board, allowing Wii owners to learn to pirouette using their console. The DS version features ballet-related mini-games and ballet costumes to unlock.
Reality Gap's persistent online game Battleswarm: Field of Honor officially launches today. The game features two playable sides: humans play the game like a first-person shooter, blasting bug-like aliens. Alien players run a real-time strategy game, sending hordes of bugs to exterminate the human players.
Today, Sony launched the version 3.10 system software update for the PlayStation 3. The biggest feature of the update is PlayStation 3 Facebook support, following yesterday's addition of the service to Xbox Live. PlayStation 3 owners can't yet check Facebook from the PlayStation 3, but they can automate the sharing of PlayStation 3 trophies, store purchases and game events.
Continue reading PlayStation 3 Adds Facebook Support with System Software Update.
505 Games has shipped Discovery Kids: Spider Quest for the DS to stores in North America. This Discovery Channel-branded game has kids exploring a 3D jungle to collect and learn about spiders.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, has released its game Chaotic: Shadow Warriors. The game is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. Based on the animated series and collectible card game Chaotic, the game has players taking on the role of lead character Tom and engaging in battles that follow the plot of the animated television series.
This week, both Diner Dash and Gyromancer are available as downloads through Xbox Live Arcade, along with the Peggle Nights expansion:
Continue reading Two More Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
NCAA Basketball 10 from Electronic Arts is now in stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This latest version of EA's college basketball franchise improves the broadcast presentation of the games, with ESPN and CBS broadcasts of the games in which players participate.
Matrix Games has released Officers: The Matrix Edition as a PC download. The game has players controlling U.S. and British forces on the Western front of World War II. This version of the pausable real-time strategy game mixes many bugs, balance and map problems with the original game and (like the original) allows players to indulge in battles involving up to 1,500 units.
Sega has shipped Planet 51 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS to stores. Based on the upcoming film, the game lets players take on the role of characters from the film through an extended story mode and numerous mini-games exploring the world of Planet 51.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped Hot Wheels: Battle Force 5 for the Wii and DS to stores. Based on the television show, the game lets players control all the Battle Force 5 characters in battles and races.
Sega has shipped Jambo! Safari Animal Rescue for the Wii to stores. The game has players venturing forth as an African safari park ranger to rescue and heal different species of animal ranging from giraffes to lions.
Ubisoft has shipped Petz Hamsterz Superstarz and Petz Dogz Talent Show, both for the DS, to stores in North America. Petz Dogz Talent Show has players training their puppies to engage in activities like skateboarding or catching a Frisbee. Petz Hamsterz Superstarz has DS owners training hamsters to do everything from navigating mazes to parachuting.
Disney has shipped The Princess and the Frog for the Wii, PC and DS to stores in North America. Based on the upcoming Disney film, the game follows the events of the film by questing in New Orleans and indulging in mini-games.
Ubisoft has shipped Just Dance for the Wii to stores. The game has players dancing along to 30 songs and is described by Ubisoft as a dance "workout in disguise."
D3Publisher has shipped Kamen Rider Dragon Knight for the Wii and DS to stores. Based on the television series of the same name, gamers can playas the 13 Kamen Riders from the series, battling other riders.
Storm City Games has shipped Foto Frenzy for the DS to stores. The game has players using the DS stylus to identify differences between two pictures.
LucasArts' game Lego Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues is now in stores. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, DS and PSP. Building on the success of Lego Indiana Jones, the game once again has Indy and his companions exploring Lego landscapes inspired by the Indiana Jones films. This game covers Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and also includes a level editor that lets players share constructed levels with friends.
Valve's game Left 4 Dead 2 is now in stores for the Xbox 360 and PC, as well as being available as a download through Valve's Steam service. This Left 4 Dead sequel is another four-player game in which players work together to survive a zombie apocalypse (or play the zombies trying to take out the remaining survivors). Left 4 Dead 2 adds new campaign settings, improved AI and lots of new weapons.
Ubisoft's sequels to Assassin's Creed are now in stores. Assassin's Creed II for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 lets players re-create the memories of Ezio Auditore, an assassin from Renaissance Italy. The PC version of the game should reach stores next year. Also available today are Assassin's Creed II: Bloodlines for the PSP and Assassin's Creed II: Discovery, both of which provide slightly different takes on the same story.
Continue reading Assassin's Creed II Games Ship to Stores, Ubisoft Introduces Uplay.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has launched Scene It? Bright Lights! Big Screen! for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii. This Scene It? trivia game covers recent film releases for both lone players and multiplayer groups.
Activision Publishing (part of Activision Blizzard) has hired two former Electronic Arts staff to executive positions. Both Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey worked at Visceral Games (formerly EA Redwood Shores) on Dead Space. Activision has created a new studio, dubbed "Sledgehammer Games" and Schofield will be Vice President and General Manager of the studio while Condrey will serve as Vice President and Chief Operation Officer. Sledgehammer Games is working on an unannounced game.
NCsoft's massively multiplayer online game Lineage II has launched its "Gracia Epilogue" content update. This update winds up the Gracia story, adding 36 new quests and an instance designed for players levels 80 to 85.
Continue reading Lineage II Experiences Gracia's Epilogue.
Ubisoft has shipped Imagine: Artist for the DS to stores. The software lets DS owners create drawings and collages, and lets DSi owners take photos and incorporate those photos into the art.
OGPlanet has officially launched its persistent online game Lost Saga today. The game allows players to choose one of a variety of heroes and battle it out in several modes and maps. While little has changed, the game is no longer in open beta.
Konami's game Yu-Gi-Oh! Tagforce 4 for the PSP is now available in stores. The game features around 4,000 cards and a plotline drawn from the animated series. It supports multiplayer duel and promises over 300 hours of play.
Tomy's game Naruto Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 for the Wii is now in stores in North America. This fighting game features 40 characters from the Naruto anime battling it out, including against other players using the Wii's wireless connectivity.
Microsoft has released an update for the Xbox 360, finally implementing the features promised at E3 2009. Once Xbox 360 owners connect to Xbox Live, they can use both Facebook and Twitter from their console (in the new "My Community" channel) after downloading the respective applications, view instant HD video at 1080p resolution and listen to music from Last.fm.
Two My Hero games from Majesco have reached stores. Both games are for the DS and let players participate in mini-games based on potential role-models. My Hero: Doctor lets players tackle 10 medical emergencies, while My Hero: Firefighter has players racing to extinguish fires while saving trapped animals and people.
Paradox Interactive has released Elven Legacy: Siege, the second expansion pack for the turn-based strategy game Elven Legacy, as a download for the PC. This expansion takes place several months after the events of Elven Legacy: Ranger with outcast elves laying siege to human cities.
Publisher: UbisoftDeveloper: Ubisoft Montreal
Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC
Reviewed on Xbox 360
The events of the original Assassin's Creed saw Desmond Miles, a sheltered young man from a reclusive community, captured by a pharmaceutical company. Forced into a machine called the "Animus," Miles was used to unearth information from the past by reliving the memories of his ancestor, an Assassin named Altair Ibn La-Ahad, active during the Third Crusade.
With a little help, Miles learned that his abductors were the Templars, a secretive order bent on world domination. Now he has escaped and is using a hacked and Jerry-rigged version of the Animus to try to discover secrets from Renaissance Italy before the Templars can put them to use. To do so, Miles must relive the memories of his ancestor Ezio Auditore da Firenze, an assassin trapped in the politics of the Italian city-states of Venice and Florence.
Continue reading Assassin's Creed II Review.
Electronic Art's title EA Sports Active: More Workouts for the Wii is now in stores in North America (and should reach stores worldwide later this week). This is the second game in EA Sports' Active franchise and includes 35 exercises and activities to target the upper and lower body. The software requires legstrap and resistance bands that were packaged with EA Sports Active: Personal Trainer or that can be purchased separately.
Capcom has shipped Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles for the Wii to stores in North America. This game follows the events of Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles and is another shooter-on-rails, this time from a first-person perspective.
Sony's God of War Collection for the PlayStation 3 is now in stores in North America. This compilation includes both the original God of War and God of War II. Both were released on the PlayStation 2, and while the play remains the same, the graphics have been polished up to take better advantage of the PlayStation 3.
Tony Hawk: Ride from Activision Publishing (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores. This latest Tony Hawk skateboarding game (released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii), and supports a skateboard controller that lets players control the game by stepping on the board.
Sony's game LittleBigPlanet PSP is now in stores for the PSP. Built for the PSP, this version of LittleBigPlanet offers the same sort of platforming and level-building play as LittleBigPlanet for the PlayStation 3, but on the small screen.
The Sims 3: World Adventures from Electronic Arts is now available both in stores and as a download for the PC and Mac. This is an expansion pack for the Sims 3 that lets players take their sims to three locations, similar to Egypt, China and France.
I never thought I'd describe Darth Vader as "cute," but this simple product is pretty darn cool. Bensussen Deutsch & Associates (BDA) has released the Darth Vader Sensor Bar Holder for Wii under its "Power A" brand. Available from both physical and online retailers, this Darth Vader figure holds the Wii sensor bar in front of the TV as part of his lightsaber.
Mad Catz has shipped its Wireless-N Gaming Adapter for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to stores. The adapter is designed to help gamers quickly set up their console to connect to a 802.11b/g/n wireless network.
Got Game Entertainment, in cooperation with Playlogic, has shipped WorldShift for the PC to stores in North America. This real-time-strategy game is set in the distant future when an asteroid crashes into the Earth releasing a deadly plague. The game includes three factions: Earth's urban survivors, Earth's tribal remnants and an invading alien race.
Nintendo has released a bunch of new downloadable games for the Wii and DSi. Nintendo has also released several demos, but the full games available today are:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the Wii and DSi.
Nintendo's game New Super Mario Bros. Wii is now in stores. This re-imagining of the classic Super Mario Bros. side-scrolling platformer allows up to four people to play at the same time, controlling Mario, Luigi or one of two Toad characters.
Publisher: City InteractiveDeveloper: City Interactive
Platform: DS
Reviewed on DS
Archaeologist Sylvie Leroux finds herself flying to Malta after her mentor, an historian investigating a Crusader chapel, vanishes. Only by discovering the web of reasons behind the professor's disappearance and delving into the secrets of the Knights Hospitaller will Leroux get to the bottom of this mystery.
Continue reading Chronicles of Mystery: Curse of the Ancient Temple Review.
Sony has released several downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach Sony's Platforms.
Frima Studio has released its game Big Bad Wolf for the PC as a download through Valve's Steam service. The game poses a series of puzzles to players in the framework of an adventure game populated with fairytale characters.
Playrix Entertainment has released Fishdom: Frosty Splash as a download through Playrix's official site. This match-three puzzle game features winter-themed fish tanks.
Activision Blizzard estimates that Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 had sales of around $310 million in North America and the United Kingdom in the first 24 hours the game was on sale.
Alliance of Valiant Arms, a persistent online shooter from ijji.com is now officially live. That means the game continues to be operational, but the cash shop launched today, allowing players to spend real cash on items that will enhance their game experience.
Sony Online Entertainment has launched the 12th expansion for its online collectible strategy game Pox Nora, called Dire Covenant. The expansion includes a new campaign, 72 new runes and around 50 new abilities.
I-Play, part of Oberon Media, has released Treasures of the Serengeti as a download for the PC. The game is a jigsaw-puzzle-like variant on traditional match-three puzzle games. In the game, players are collecting gems to rebuild a deserted African village.
Gamepot has "officially launched" its free-to-play massively multiplayer online game for the PC, Bright Shadow. The fantasy-themed game features four societies battling against the forces of darkness using "Soul Power."
Publisher: SonyDeveloper: Insomniac Games
Platform: PlayStation 3
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
Following the events of Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction, Clank has fallen into the clutches of Dr. Nefarious, and Ratchet is wandering the galaxy in search of his friend. It turns out a clock-like space station has been constructed at the center of the galaxy to repair flaws in time created by reckless time-travelling, and Clank is heir to the clock's caretaker position. Unfortunately, every villain in the galaxy has their own plans to use the clock to undo past rights, and Ratchet and Clank must, once again, save the galaxy.
Continue reading Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time Review.
New games are available for download through Xbox Live Arcade, including a puzzle game, brain training game and sports title:
Continue reading Three More Games Available for Download Through Xbox Live Arcade.
Zoo Games' Wedding Dash for the DS is now in stores in North America. Previously released for the PC by PlayFirst, this time-management game set in the same world as Diner Dash has players striving to host the perfect wedding reception.
Ubisoft has shipped Team Elimination Games for the Wii to stores in North America. The title is a collection of 20 mini-games including races and obstacle challenges in environments like a farm or shopping mall.
Electronic Arts' game Hasbro Family Game Night for the Xbox 360 has reached stores. The disc includes a variety of Hasbro games, previously released as downloads through Xbox Live Arcade.
Konami's game Pop'n Music for the Wii has shipped to stores in North America. The Pop'n Music franchise has been running in Japan on consoles and in arcades for a long time, but is finally coming to North American consoles. The party game lets players move the Wii Remote and Nunchuk along to music.
Sega's game Phantasy Star 0 has shipped for the DS. This DS take on Sega's Phantasy Star role-playing game franchise has DS owners acting as Hunters and patrolling for monsters to keep civilization safe. It even supports online play using the DS wireless connection.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped two more Dragon Ball-themed games to stores:
Continue reading Two Dragon Ball Games Ship to Stores.
Ubisoft has shipped Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Arcade Attack for the DS to stores in North America. This brawler casts players as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fighting hordes of enemies as they pursue Shredder from New York City through time.
Ubisoft has shipped Petz Nursery for the DS to stores in North America. The game lets players take care of baby animals ranging from pandas to polar bears and then send those petz to other Petz games to continue playing with them.
Square Enix announced today that it has completed integrating and reorganizing Eidos into the Square Enix fold following Square Enix's acquisition of Eidos. Eidos also confirmed that it is unifying the business operations under the Square Enix name.
Disney Interactive Studios' game Jonas for the DS has reached stores in North America. Based on the Disney Channel show featuring the Jonas Brothers, the game has players helping the band onstage and off.
Square Enix's compilation Final Fantasy XI: Ultimate Collection has reached stores in North America for both the PC and Xbox 360. This compilation includes the massively multiplayer online game Final Fantasy XI along with all four expansion packs (Rise of the Zilart, Chains of Promathia, Treasures of Aht Urhgan and Wings of the Goddess).
Ubisoft has shipped two Style Lab games for the DS to stores in North America. Style Lab: Jewelry Design has players taking on the role of a boutique owner making jewelry. DSi owners can even take pictures and impose their jewelry on real photos. Style Lab: Makeover includes a series of mini-game challenges in which players apply makeup, create hairstyles and do nails. Again, DSi owners can import photos and apply makeup to those photos.
Atlus has shipped its game Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble for the PSP to stores in North America. The game has players taking on the role of a high-school student on a field trip to a Japanese city, brawling with various factions to control bragging rights over the whole town.
Sony has shipped Buzz! Quiz World for the PlayStation 3 to retail stores in North America. This Buzz! trivia game, developed by Relentless Software, adds around 5,000 new questions to the franchise and supports user-generated questions from MyBuzzquiz.com.
Mad Catz reported the financial results of its fiscal second quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Mad Catz Reports Second Quarter Loss.
Last week, Konami shipped Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Today, Konami has shipped the game for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP. This latest soccer game from Konami adds even more licensed stadia and player likenesses, more animations and more tricks to the already polished play.
Deep Silver, part of Koch Media, has placed its game DJ Star for the DS in stores. The game has DS owners using the DS touch screen to mix and scratch to 40 licensed songs.
2K Sports, the sports label of Take-Two Interactive, has placed NBA 2K10 for the Wii in stores. The game already shipped for other platforms. For the Wii, this basketball game supports simulated league basketball and online play against other Wii owners.
Natsume has shipped Harvest Moon: Animal Parade for the Wii to stores. The game, in Natsume's words, "delivers the ultimate in farming fun!" The game not only allows players to run a simulated farm, but can also befriend animals, even those recently escaped from the circus.
Paradox Interactive has released For the Glory: A Europa Universalis Game as a download through major online portals. Developed by Crystal Empire Games, this title is an extensive strategy title in the tradition of other Europa Universalis Game allowing players to lead a country (politically, militarily and economically) during the era from 1399 to 1819.
Natsume has shipped Harvest Moon: Sunshine Islands for the DS to stores in North America. This is a direct sequel to Harvest Moon: Island of Happiness, featuring the same characters as they try to raise ancient sunken islands, making an even better environment for farming and other capitalist simulation activities.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 from Activision Publishing (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. This first-person shooter supports co-operative and multiplayer play in a modern combat setting.
2K Play, part of Take-Two Interactive, has placed its games Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey for the Wii and Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey: Circus Friends Asian Elephants for the DS in stores in North America. The Wii version includes a selection of circus-themed mini-games. The DS game has players training and tending Asian elephants.
Netflix has launched the previously announced service for the PlayStation 3 today. Netflix subscribers can request a free disc that will allow them to watch certain video content streaming through the PlayStation 3.
Electronic Arts reported financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009 along with plans to reduce staff:
Electronic Arts has acquired Playfish, a provider of casual and social games for online and mobile platforms. EA paid around $275 million in cash and $25 million in "equity retention arrangements," along with up to $100 million more if Playfish meets certain performance milestones.
As we reach another Monday, Nintendo has released more downloadable games for the Wii and DSi:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases More Downloadable Games for the Wii and DSi.
Ubisoft's game Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage for the Wii is now available in stores. This new Shaun White Snowboarding game adds eight new mountains and supports the Wii Balance Board.
NCsoft announced selected financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading NCsoft Reports Solid Quarter Thanks to Aion.
Square Enix released selected financial results for the first half of its current fiscal year:
Continue reading Square Enix Reports First Half Net Income.
Konami reported certain financial results for its fiscal first-half ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Konami Announces Smaller First Half Profit.
Namco Bandai Games released certain financial information regarding the six month period ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Namco Bandai Games Reports First-Half Loss.
Sony has released more downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Available Through the PlayStation Store.
Activision Blizzard announced its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Activision Reports Third Quarter Income.
2K Play (part of Take-Two Interactive), together with Nickelodeon, has shipped Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom for the Wii and PlayStation 2 and Dora Puppy for the DS to stores. Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom has players helping Dora find crystals to save a village that has fallen under an evil spell. Dora Puppy has players training Dora's dog Perrito in an effort to win a trophy in the Big Puppy Competition.
2K Play (part of Take-Two Interactive), together with Nickelodeon, has shipped Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: Super Game Day for the Wii and PlayStation 2 and Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration for the DS to stores in North America. Both games are based on the Ni Hao, Kai-Lan show on Nick Jr. that integrates Chinese into a pre-school level curriculum. Both games have players joining the show's cast in a series of (possibly) educational mini-games.
THQ reported its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading THQ Reports Much Smaller Quarterly Loss.
The Zeebo, the mobile-phone-gaming-device masquerading as a console is now on sale in Mexico, just as it went on sale in May in Brazil. The device is retailing in Mexico for 2,499 Pesos (around $190), preloaded with five games. The Zeebo can then download further games through the Zeebo's 3G mobile connection.
Ubisoft reported selected financial data for the first half of its fiscal year, a six-month period ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Substantial Sales Drop.
This week, Xbox Live Arcade adds three more episodes of Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures as downloads for the Xbox 360. Episodes Two, Three and Four (The Last Resort, Muzzled! and The Bogey Man, respectively) can now be downloaded for 800 points ($10) each. These episodic adventure games feature the inventor and his canine companion created by claymation studio Aardman.
Konami has shipped its game WireWay for the DS to stores. The game follows a character named Wiley Springer who moves about by flipping wires using the DS stylus.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped We Cheer 2 for the Wii to stores in North America. The game has players dancing as part of a cheerleading team while waving the Wii remote like a pom-pom.
Maximum Family Games and Virtual Play Games have shipped two Junior games for the DS to stores: Junior Brain Trainer has around 100 puzzles designed to sharpen mental acuity for kids, while Junior Classic Games is a collection of straightforward games designed for kids.
Ubisoft has shipped C.O.P.: The Recruit for the DS to stores. The game follows a newly recruited New York City police officer, dealing with crime on foot and behind the wheel.
Storm City Games has shipped Jewel Master: Egypt for the DS to stores. The game is a series of Egyptian-themed match-three puzzles.
Namco Bandai Games has shipped Food Network: Cook or be Cooked for the Wii to stores. The title has Wii owners making Food Network recipes using the Wii remote.
GameStop has hired Shawn Freeman as the company's Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Business. Prior to joining GameStop, Freeman was the president of Ticketsnow.com and before that worked at Ticketmaster. Freeman will work with the recently formed digital ventures group at GameStop.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped Jurassic: The Hunted to stores in North America. The game has shipped for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2. The game has players exploring an island populated by dinosaurs, and then killing those dinosaurs with an assortment of more than a dozen weapons.
Konami's game Ultimate Party Challenge for the Wii has shipped to stores. This collection of 40 party games supports dance mat controllers.
Disney's A Christmas Carol for the DS has shipped to stores in North America. The game is based on the animated film of the same name and has players guiding Scrooge using the DS stylus and microphone through his experiences with Christmas ghosts.
Aspyr Media, together with LucasArts, has shipped Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Ultimate Sith Edition for the PC to stores in North America. This edition includes the original game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed along with three more levels, all casting the player as Darth Vader's "secret apprentice."
Atari has shipped the PSP version of its game Ghostbusters to stores in North America. The game shipped for other platforms in June. The game follows the characters from the classic film of the same name as they battle a new set of paranormal baddies.
Mobile game publisher Gameloft reported selected financial results today for its fiscal third quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Continue reading Gameloft Reports Improved Third Quarter Sales.
LucasArts has shipped its game Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron for the PSP and DS to stores in North America. This third-person shooter supports multiplayer combat set in the Star Wars universe, complete with vehicles and lightsabers.
Konami has shipped Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to stores. This latest soccer game from Konami adds even more licensed stadia and player likenesses, more animations and more tricks to the already polished play.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's game Lego Rock Band is now in stores. Published in cooperation with MTV Games, the game is now available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. Lego Rock Band features the rhythm play typical of the Rock Band titles, with 35 hit songs, but featuring the additional customization of building Lego avatars, a Lego band and a Lego entourage.
Sony's game Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier is now available for the PlayStation 2 and PSP. This latest Jak and Daxter game continues the story of the original trilogy of Jak and Daxter games as the duo attempt to discover why all the Eco on their planet has disappeared. To reverse the process, Jak and Daxter engage in platforming action to the edge of the world in search of Precursor machinery that can fix everything. The game adds substantial air combat, comprising nearly half of the game.
Dragon Age: Origins from Electronic Arts' BioWare division, is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. This role-playing game has players taking on the role of a Grey Warden, tasked with protecting the world from the darkness set to overwhelm us all. New copies of the game include access codes for downloadable content that used purchasers and renters would need to purchase separately.
Band Hero from Activision, part of Activision Blizzard, is now in stores in North America. The game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and PlayStation 2 and DS. All the versions (except for the DS) allow gamers to play along to hit bands with "any combination of multiple guitarists, bassists, drummers and vocalists." Band Hero also allows gamers to import songs from Guitar Hero 5, Guitar Hero Smash Hits and Guitar Hero World Tour.
Electronic Arts' game Need for Speed: Nitro is now in stores in North America and should reach stores in Europe by Friday. Available for the Wii and DS, the game has players evading the police to engage in street racing on Nintendo's platforms.
Destineer has shipped We Wish You a Merry Christmas for the Wii to stores. The title includes mini-games and activities such as sing-a-longs and advent calendar, all with a Christmas theme.
Mastiff's game Remington: Great American Bird Hunt for the Wii has shipped to stores. The game allows Wii owners to hunt for birds using a selection of Remington shotguns, and supports both cooperative and competitive multiplayer hunts.
City Interactive has shipped its game Sushi Academy for the DS to stores in North America. The game has players using the DS stylus to prepare sushi under the guidance of a master sushi chef.
Turbine is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its game Asheron's Call. The massively multiplayer online game Asheron's Call launched on November 2, 1999 and is still adding new content.
Got Game Entertainment has released its game Wine Tycoon for the PC to stores. Developed by UK-based Virtual Playground, the game has players managing a vineyard, bending wines and building a successful business.
Nintendo has released plenty of new downloadable games for both the Wii and the DSi:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the Wii and DSi.
Ubisoft's game Rabbids Go Home for the Wii is now in stores. This game breaks from the usual Rabbids formula in which the title is a collection of mini-games. Instead, Rabbids Go Homehas players driving around a landscape in an open-world style game that has players completing missions to build a large enough pile of junk to climb to the moon.
Nintendo's DS title Style Savvy is now in stores in North America. The game has players managing a fashion boutique. It also allows DS owners to have three friends (with their own DS systems) join them in a wireless fashion show.
Telltale Games has released Tales of Monkey Island: Chapter 4 - The Trial and Execution of Guybrush Threepwood. This latest episode in Guybrush Threepwood's new adventures has Threepwood captured and on trial at the hands of the Marquis De Singe.
