May 2010 Archives
It's Memorial Day in the United States, but that hasn't stopped Nintendo from releasing a new slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases More Wii and DSi Games.
Paradox Interactive has released Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection as a download for the PC. This compilation includes the 4x-style strategy game Sword of the Stars, along with its three expansions, Born of Blood, Murder of Crows and Argos Naval Yard. Set in the year 2405, the game allows up to eight players to explore and conquer the universe.
Symantec has discovered a server hosting stolen game account data from 44 million gaming accounts. While primarily aimed at Chinese gaming websites, the database included around two million accounts for PlayNC (NCsoft's platform) and 210,000 World of Warcraft accounts. Interestingly, a Trojan identified as Trojan.Loginck has been verifying this account data, seemingly to determine which accounts are still valid and worth selling.
Nexon announced that it has acquired 29.3% of the outstanding shares of GameHi, a developer of online games such as Sudden Attack and Metal Rage. Nexon acquired the shares for 73.2 billion Korean Won (around $61 million) and also acquired management rights from Gunil Kim, the company's largest shareholder.
Nexon announced selected fiscal results for 2009:
Continue reading Nexon Reports Higher Revenues and Global Success.
Atlus confirmed that it's game Hexyz Force for the PSP has also shipped to stores. The game shipped yesterday just as it was released as a download through the PlayStation Store. This role-playing game has been designed for the PSP and is an epic role-playing game set in a world torn between light and dark gods.
CCP Games is launching the "Tyrannis" expansion for its game massively multiplayer online game Eve Online today. The expansion adds planetary interactions, graphical improvements, a new in-game calendar, new ships and new skills in addition to a variety of tweaks and fixes.
Microsoft has released three more downloadable games through Xbox Live Arcade, today, including:
Continue reading Three More Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
THQ has launched its THQ Partners program, providing a simplified vehicle for partners to use THQ's distribution and publishing network. Yesterday, THQ followed Electronic Arts' lead by charging used gamers for access to online game features. Today, THQ seems to be further following in the footsteps of EA, by launching a THQ Partners program similar to EA's EA Partners program.
Electronic Arts announced that it plans to open a "customer service and operations center" for its BioWare studio based in Galway, Ireland. The Galway office should be operational in 2011 and was chosen to provide customer support to European players. Ireland was chosen thanks to government subsidies provided by Ireland.
Disney's game Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force - Herbert's Revenge is now in stores for the DS. The game has the Elite Penguin Force battling the latest efforts of Herbert P. Bear, and allows players to earn coins that can be uploaded to their online Club Penguin account.
Sony Online Entertainment has launched the "Halas Reborn" update for its massively multiplayer online game Everquest II. The update includes two new high-level raids and Halas housing options, but also offers an entirely new starting zone in Halas.
Microsoft confirmed today that Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division (that includes Microsoft's game business) will leave Microsoft later this year. J. Allard, a long-time member of Microsoft's gaming team, is also departing the company. Don Mattrick will continue to lead Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, reporting directly to Steve Ballmer (Microsoft's Chief Executive Officer). Bach stated that "I want to dedicate more time to my family and my nonprofit work..."
Sony has released even more downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Released for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution) has moved Jeff Junge from his previous post as Senior Vice President of Business Management for the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group (where he worked on mergers and acquisitions) to Senior Vice President of Online Games and Digital Games Platforms. In his new role, Junge will oversee Turbine (the acquisition of which he oversaw) as well as the continued integration of TT Games and work on the company's digital publishing efforts.
Hardware manufacturer TekNmotion has shipped its PulseWave 2 PC Gaming Headset to retailers. This headset supports virtual 7.1 sound, sports a detachable noise cancelling headphone and retails for $70.
Natsume's game Witch's Wish for the DS is now available in stores. The game features a girl named Vicky who wants to be a witch, but isn't wealthy enough to go to witch school. When she meets a mysterious girl who helps to unlock Vicky's powers, Vicky gets to solve a variety of puzzles using her magical talents.
PopCap Games has added Steve Raymund, Chairman of the Board of Tech Data, to the company's Board of Directors. Presumably, Raymund will be able to assist the company by advising specifically on the operational aspects of PopCap's game services.
Sony's game ModNation Racers is now available in stores for the PlayStation 3 and PSP. This racing game allows players to create their own tracks, karts and characters, sharing those designs online with other players.
Atari's game Backyard Sports: Sandlot Sluggers for the Xbox 360, Wii, DS and PC is now available for purchase. This arcade-style baseball game from HB Studios features kid players and exaggerated animations for a child-friendly experience.
Paradox Interactive, together with Ice Game Studios, has released Legio for the PC as a download through many download portals. The game has players facing off against one another in a chess-like game of battling pawns.
Blur from Activision Publishing (part of Activision Blizzard) is now in stores in North America for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. This racing game mixes current-generation graphics with power-ups and role-playing game-style progression.
THQ's game UFC Undisputed 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is now in stores worldwide. This mixed martial arts game will be available for the PSP in September. New copies of UFC Undisputed 2010 will include a code to unlock online play for the game, but used game purchasers will have to pay an additional $5 for the same privilege, following EA's recent model.
Publisher: Paradox InteractiveDeveloper: Ice Game Studios
Platform: PC
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: Pentium 4 2.4 GHz, 512 MB RAM, DirectX 9.0c compliant video card, 200 MB HD space, internet connection, Windows XP or more recent operating system
Lorenzo and Forentia, fraternal twins and the sole children of now-dead king Theoron the Witty, both believe themselves to be rightful heir to the kingdom of Bella Lagucia. Born simultaneously, the two have agreed to a tenuous peace and shared rule, resolving all disputes through a traditional strategy game called Legio.
Continue reading Legio Review.
True Games, an online game developer and publisher, is rebranding to emphasize its corporate parent. True Games, which recently cut costs by closing its California office is a subsidiary of UTV Software Communications, a media company based in India. To reflect UTV's majority stake in True Games, the company is rebranding itself as UTV True Games.
Nintendo has released more downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases More Wii and DSi Downloadable Games.
Nintendo's game Super Mario Galaxy 2 is now available in stores in North America. The game extends the play of Super Mario Galaxy with new puzzles, power-ups, planetoids and Yoshi!
Publisher: No Starch PressDeveloper: Scott F. Andrews
Creating a guild for a massively multiplayer online game is an arduous and drama-filled effort for anyone who wants to include more than a few personal friends or outlast the next content update. Scott Andrews is the successful leader of a World of Warcraft guild that has stood the test of time (at least in the abbreviated timeframe of MMOGs). In The Guild Leader's Handbook: Strategies and Guidance From a Battle-Scarred MMO Veteran , he offers solid advice for building an MMOG guild that will persevere more than a few weeks and survive arguments over who earned that epic loot drop.
Virtual Play's game City Builder for the Wii is now "widely available" in stores, with the PC version already available. The game has players constructing a cartoonish city and extending it despite interference from creatures such as Big Foot and alien invaders.
Game Retailer GameStop reported its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended May 1, 2010:
Continue reading GameStop Reports Another Strong Quarter on Used Game Sales.
Two more games have been released for the Xbox 360 as downloads through Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Two More Games Available for Xbox Live Arcade.
Sony has released more downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including:
Continue reading Sony Releases More Downloadable Games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Social game developer and publisher Playdom announced that it has acquired the privately-held Acclaim Games (the new Acclaim, not the old Acclaim for undisclosed terms. Acclaim will continue to develop and run casual online games, but with a new master.
Square Enix, together with Gamepot, has officially launched the U.S. version of Fantasy Earth Zero. As with most free-to-play online games, Fantasy Earth Zero has been online for a while but is now "official" with new Colosseum game modes and new shop items.
Telltale Games has launched the second episode of the third season of Freelance Police adventures, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - The Tomb of Sammun-Mak. The game is currently available on the PC (as a download from Telltale Games) and should be released as a download for the PlayStation 3 later today.
Publisher: Telltale GamesDeveloper: Telltale Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PC and Mac
Reviewed on PC
Windows System Requirements: 2 GHz Processor, 1 GB RAM, DirectX 8.1 compatible video card, Windows XP or more recent operating system
In the final moments of their last adventure, Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - The Penal Zone, Sam and Max of the Freelance Police stumbled across The Devil's Toybox, along with a projector recounting the exploits of Sam and Max's old-timey ancestors Sammeth and Maximus. Across four reels of sepia-toned adventure goodness, the Freelance Police learn how The Devil's Toybox was liberated from the Tomb of Sammun-Mak and how Max is hardly the first of his line to exhibit a miraculous psychic affinity for certain toys.
Continue reading Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse - The Tomb of Sammun-Mak Review.
Ubisoft announced selected financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Large Annual Loss.
Ubisoft's game Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands has shipped to stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS and PSP. The PC version of this game should be released next month. Timed to match the release of the Prince of Persia film, this game continues the Sands of Time storyline.
Continue reading Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands Ships to Stores.
Split/Second, published by Disney and developed by Disney's Black Rock Studio, is now in stores for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. This urban racing game has players driving to win a reality television show through an exploding cityscape.
Microsoft's game Alan Wake for the Xbox 360 is now in stores. Developed by Remedy Entertainment, the game has horror novelist Alan Wake suffering from insomnia and depression in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. Wake must somehow survive encountering the same nightmares that he has been writing for a new book.
Ubisoft has shipped Imagine: Animal Doctor Care Center for the DS to stores. This latest game from Ubisoft's Imagine line has players caring for a wide variety of animals, tending to their health and advising on their nutrition.
Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, has shipped its game Shrek: Forever After to stores in North America. Based on the film of the same name (due in theaters later this week), the game is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS and PC, and has gamers playing as a variety of characters from the film as they strive to save the land of Far, Far Away from Rumplestiltskin.
Atlus' game Trauma Team for the Wii is now in stores. This latest medical-themed game from Atlus has players using the Wii Remote to diagnose patients and save lives through simulated surgery and emergency medicine.
Majesco has shipped Attack of the Movies 3-D for the Xbox 360 and Wii to stores in North America. Developed by Panic Button Games, the title includes four sets of 3D glasses and has players battling classic movie monsters in 3D.
Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games, the premier label of Take-Two Interactive, is now in stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Set in the final years of the American West, this game has players taking on the role of John Marston as he tracks down former members of his gang.
Square Enix announced its consolidated financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Square Enix Reports Strong Fiscal Year Results.
SouthPeak Interactive Corporation announced its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading SouthPeak Games Posts (Tiny) Third Quarter Profit.
Perfect World, a Chinese publisher of online games, announced that it acquired a majority stake in Runic Games (the company that developed Torchlight) this month for approximately $8.4 million. Perfect World expects to closely collaborate with Runic Games to develop online games for a global audience. This investment was noted in Perfect World's quarterly financial statement.
Playlogic confirmed selected financial results for its 2009 fiscal year ended December 31, 2009:
Continue reading Playlogic Confirms Larger Annual Loss.
Encore Software, a game publisher owned by Navarre Corporation, has acquired the assets of Kansas City, Missouri developer Punch! Software. Punch! has primarily developed home design software and Computer Aided Design products and will continue to do so. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The American Heart Association has partnered with Nintendo to endorse Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort and even the Wii console itself as products that "can be used to create a more physically active lifestyle." To that end, the American Heart Association brand will even appear on boxes of the above products. Nintendo and the American Heart Association will cooperate to promote an active lifestyle and presumably will work together on the launch of the Wii Vitality Sensor.
It's Monday, and that means Nintendo has released another slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including:
Continue reading Nintendo Releases Additional Downloadable Games for the Wii and DSi.
Sega Sammy Holdings announced its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Sega Sammy Holdings Reports Annual Profit.
Sony Corporation released its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Konami announced its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Konami Reports Slightly Higher Annual Net Income.
I-play, part of Oberon Media, has released Buried in Time as a download for the PC through I-play's site. The game has players building a team of up to 20 archaeologists to solve puzzles and uncover a lost treasure.
UK Developer Eutechnyx has secured a $9.25 million investment from Amsterdam-based Prime Technology Ventures. Eutechnyx plans to use the money to "finalize the development of a ground-breaking new title set to revolutionize the racing genre, as well as enable Eutechnyx to develop its forthcoming free-to-play infrastructure as the firm expands into the world of casual online games."
S2 Games has officially launched its game Heroes of Newerth in which players take on the role of hero characters, leading AI-controlled armies to destroy another team's base. The game is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
Valve is launching its Steam gaming service for the Mac today. Previously only available for the PC, Steam can now be downloaded for the Mac. Steam plans to add more games every Wednesday, many of which can be played by a purchaser on both the PC or Mac.
The Games Company has released Max and the Magic Marker for the PC and Mac through Steam for $20. previously released for the Wii, the game has Max pursuing a monster he created through a variety of his own drawings by solving physics-based puzzles using a magic marker that can alter the drawing.
Konami has released Rocket Knight for the PC as a download for $15 through Steam. Rocket Knight marks the return of this classic 2D side-scrolling platformer series with an opossum in a jet pack. The game is also available through Xbox Live Arcade and should be released for the PlayStation Network shortly.
Matrix Games, together with AGEOD, has released the World War One: Gold Edition, a game that is somewhere between an updated version of and sequel to World War One: La Grande Guerre. The game can be downloaded from Matrix Games (with a discount available to owners of the original), and features a revised and streamlined World War I experience, along with an entirely new 1915 scenario not featured in the original game.
This week, Microsoft has released two more downloadable games for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade:
Continue reading Two More Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
The Walt Disney Company reported its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended April 3, 2010, including information on the performance of the company's game operations:
Continue reading Disney's Game Business Improves Slightly For Disney's Second Quarter.
Sony has released even more games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Released for the PlayStation 3 and PSP.
Nexon's massively multiplayer online game MapleStory is celebrating its fifth anniversary, having lasted for five years, adding plenty of new zones, classes and monsters to battle.
Electronic Arts reported its financial results for its fiscal year and fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Electronic Arts Reports Another Large Annual Loss.
Naruto Shipuden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 for the PSP from Namco Bandai Games has shipped to stores. This latest in the long list of Naruto-themed games features the largest character roster yet and around 80 missions to round out the game's story mode.
Electronic Arts's game Skate 3 is now in stores. Available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, this latest skateboarding game allows for cooperative skateboarding as players work to build a skateboarding team and perform wild skateboarding stunts.
Warner Bros. and Eidos (part of Square Enix) have shipped Batman: Arkham Asylum - Game of the Year Edition for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This version of the game includes all the content of the original release with new challenge maps and 3D support.
Electronic Arts has been extremely proactive in working to better monetize used game sales, and announced a new plan to ensure even used sports games generate income:
Funcom has released Age of Conan: Rise of the Godslayer, an expansion to the company's massively multiplayer online game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. The expansion is available as a download for current players and can be purchased in retail stores packaged with the original game. The expansion adds tons of new content, including regions, mounts, monsters and items, as well as a faction system that lets players tike sides with various warring factions.
Capcom's game Lost Planet 2 is now in stores for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. This sequel to Lost Planet: Extreme Condition has players exploring more harsh environments on colony E.D.N. III, following the partial success of terraforming efforts. Gamers will face horrific indigenous creatures, enemies in power suits and an extensive multiplayer mode.
Atlus USA has shipped 3D Dot Game Heroes for the PlayStation 3 to stores in North America. The game is set during the 8- and 16-bit era of gaming when titles like The Legend of Zelda dominated the landscape, but rendered with fully 3D, modern graphics. Players can customize their own pixilated avatar to explore this action game.
Nintendo has released a new selection of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Released for the Wii and DSi.
Matrix Games and Slitherine Ltd., have agreed to merge to create an even larger specialist wargaming publisher. Slitherine works with partners such as the History channel, Scholastic and Showtime, while Matrix is a long-time strategy publisher that releases games from developers such as Gary Grigsby and Strategic Studies Group. Financial terms of the transaction between these two privately held companies were not disclosed.
Publisher: AtlusDeveloper: Ace Team
Platform: PC and Xbox 360
Reviewed on Xbox 360
It's difficult to know if Zeno Clash reveals some sort of shamanistic insight, is a Dadaist take on a post-apocalyptic fantasy setting, or is just the result of deranged artists accompanied by a poor translation. The generally bipedal inhabitants of Zeno Clash's world sport mismatched legs, horns or other animal parts, and practice incoherent insanity as a way of life. You regularly commune with the dead as a sort of tutorial, and can dual-wield fish guns. The one thing the inhabitants of Zeno Clash's world agree on is that disagreements are settled with brutal fistfights, and these folks have a lot of disagreements.
Continue reading Zeno Clash: Ultimate Edition Review.
Namco Bandai Holdings announced its financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Namco Bandai Reports Enormous Losses.
Capcom released selected financial results for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Capcom Reports Significantly Lower Annual Profit.
Wadjet Eye Games has released Puzzle Bots as a download for the PC. When a metal box appears outside Dr. Hugo's Factory for Making Robots, the robots themselves go to explore, and end up co-operating to solve puzzles throughout this wacky robot factory.
Publisher: iSquared GamesDeveloper: Alawar Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 3 and PC
Reviewed on PlayStation 3
Venture through two worlds – one ancient-themed and the other astrologically/outer-space- themed – breaking blocks and collecting power-ups to conquer 100 levels of Arkanoid-style fun.
Continue reading Hyperballoid HD Review.
Nintendo announced the results of its fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Nintendo Reports Slightly Less Colossal Annual Income.
Activision Blizzard announced its financial results for its fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading Activision Blizzard Reports Extremely Profitable Quarter.
CCP Games is celebrating the seventh anniversary of its massively multiplayer online game Eve Online, that launched on this date in 2003. The game has been operating for seven years and continues to allow players to simulate commerce and combat in the far reaches of space.
THQ reported its financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2010:
Continue reading THQ Returns to Only Losing a Little Money.
More downloadable games are now available for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade, including:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the Xbox 360.
Sony Online Entertainment has launched The Agency: Covert Ops as a "social action game" through Facebook. While not the massively multiplayer online covert action game that is still scheduled for release, this version keeps the espionage flavor of the The Agency by accessing your personal information and friends on Facebook.
Sony has migrated PlayStation Store releases from Thursday to Tuesday, meaning that today is the day additional downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP reach the PlayStation Store, including:
NIS America has released What Did I Do to Deserve This, My Lord!? 2 for the PSP to stores in North America. This strategy game and sequel has players protecting Overlord Badman by farming monsters and creating dungeons to defeat meddlesome heroes. The game is also available as a download through the PlayStation Store.
Sony has shipped Fat Princess: Fistful of Cake for the PSP to stores in North America (the game is also available as a download through the PlayStation Store). This game is an adaptation of Fat Princess by SuperVillain Studios that brings the game to the PSP along with new game modes.
Sega's game Iron Man 2, based on the film of the same name, is now in stores in North America. The game has players fighting as Iron Man or War Machine battling enemies such as the Crimson Dynamo and is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PSP, DS and PlayStation 2.
SouthPeak Games has shipped Dementium II for the DS to stores in North America. Sequel to Renegade Kid's Dementium: The Ward, this is another horror-themed first-person shooter, this time set in a secret asylum for the criminally insane.
Korean publisher Nexon announced that it is acquiring a majority stake in Korean publisher Ndoors. Nexon will acquire a 67% stake in Ndoors, meaning that Ndoors will be operated as a subsidiary of Nexon. Ndoors was founded in 1999 and is best known for its games Atlantica and GoonZu. It is not yet clear how this will affect Ndoors' American operations.
Nintendo has released another slate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi:
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the Wii and DSi.
Nintendo's game Picross 3D for the DS is now in stores in North America. This puzzle features blocks of numbered cubes that contain hidden objects. By using logic, players eliminate cubes to reveal the interior object.
Nintendo has added more hardware and software to its Wii console package. Beginning on May 9, The Wii console (still priced at $200), will not only come with the Wii Remote, Wii Nunchuk and Wii Sports, it will also come packaged with the Wii MotionPlus and Wii Sports Resort. Consoles will also be available in both black and white.
Positech Games has released The Swarm as a downloadable expansion for its game Gratuitous Space Battles. The expansion adds the virus-like Swarm, 10 new ships, new ship equipment and two new scenarios for this game of strategic space combat.
Slitherine has released Airstrike Eagles of World War II as a download for the PC. This arcade-style flight combat game allows players to participate in World War II air battles.
