February 2011 Archives
Square Enix has added Mona Hamilton to its U.S. Marketing staff. Prior to joining Square Enix, Hamilton was Vice President of Marketing for Capcom. At Square Enix, Hamilton will lead the marketing efforts for Square Enix's online content and commerce operations as a Vice President.
Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz announced that it has acquired the assets of V Max Simulation Corporation, a California-based company that provides high-end flight-simulation equipment and flight-simulation software. Read on for more financial details on the transaction...
Continue reading Mad Catz Acquires Fighter Simulation Company.
Another week beings, and (once again) Nintendo has released a new group of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including CommanderVideo's final adventure and a game based on the animated Monster Buster Club series. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Yet More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii and DSi.
JoWooD's DreamCatcher label has released Painkiller: Redemption as a download for the PC through online portals. This mod-made-good is inexpensive and being described as a "Standalone Add-On" (something FI likes to refer to as a "game"). Painkiller: Redemption extends the Painkiller first-person shooter franchise by another seven to 10 hours and features the two previous protagonists from the series, Daniel and Belial.
Microsoft has broken its usual schedule just a bit to release another game through Xbox Live Arcade... but on a Friday! Now, Days of Thunder can be downloaded to the Xbox 360 for 800 points ($10). Developed by Piranha Games and published by Paramount, this game is based on the film of the same name, allowing players to hop into stock cars and race arcade-style.
Gazillion Entertainment, parent of NetDevil, has sold its stake in the massively multiplayer online game Lego Universe to the Lego Group. From Gazillion's statement that "Gazillion will move its other NetDevil projects to a new location," it sounds like Lego is acquiring NetDevil's recently build headquarter, will be hiring on the former NetDevil developers who worked on Lego Universe and the few remaining NetDevil staff will be heading off somewhere else. In other words, it seems like the Lego Group is taking over the NetDevil facilities and most of NetDevil's staff. So what's going to happen to that enormous Auto Assault sculpture in the NetDevil entrance?
Wadjet Eye Games has released Gemini Rue as a download for the PC. The game began as Boryokudan Rue and was recently featured as part of the 2010 Independent Games Festival. It's an adventure that has players switching between two characters in a world dominated by the Boryokudan crime syndicate and can be downloaded here.
AGD Interactive has released King's Quest III Redux: To Heir is Human. This adventure game is an eight-year project to remake and remaster the classic Sierra OnLine game King's Quest III Redux: To Heir is Human. The remake includes fully remastered, more detailed graphics, and a point-and-click interface that replaces the original text parser. The game can be downloaded from AGD Interactive's site.
CCP Games, the company behind Eve Online has decided to relocate its North American headquarters to the city of Decatur, Georgia to take advantage of tax breaks and economic incentives in the region. The company will occupy a 40,000-square-foot facility in Decatur and plans to hire around 150 new staff in the region, bringing the company's U.S. employees up to 300 by 2013.
Gamigo, a German publisher of casual online games, has commercially launched its persistent online golf game Golfstar on the PC. The game supports tournaments with up to 30 simultaneous players and role-playing-game-style character progression. As usual, the official launch means the launch of the cash shop that allows players to use real money to enhance their play.
Rude Gameware, a peripheral manufacturer, has launched its Fierce Laser Mouse V2 for the PC. The mouse is now available online and is shipping to certain retailers. This mouse features a 5000 DPI laser engine, 1000 HZ polling with 1 ms response time, adjustable weights and seven programmable buttons. It retails at the recommended price of $50.
Muse Games has released CreaVures as a download for the PC and Mac through Steam. This puzzle-oriented platforming game has players leading five "Creavures" (special mythical beasts with unique talents) as they gather essence to restore light to their dying forest.
This week's Xbox Live Arcade game is Bejeweled Blitz: Live, downloadable to the Xbox 360 for 800 points ($10). Developed by Torpex games, this is a rapid (and often competitive) take on PopCap's classic game of matching like-colored crystals.
SouthPeak Interactive reported its financial results for its second fiscal quarter ended December 31. For the quarter, the company reported a net loss of $2.1 million, compared to a $2.6 million net loss in the same quarter the previous year. While the company is still significantly losing money, SouthPeak is pinning its hopes on the success of Two Worlds II, released in late January.
Atlus' game Radiant Historia is now available for the DS. This role-playing game has players jumping to various points in history to channel history into a path of peach between the kingdoms of Alistel and Granorg.
Namco Bandai's game Knights Contract for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is now available in stores in North America. The game has players battling their way through a supernatural version of historical Europe as an executioner and witch determined to save humanity from mystical foes.
Sega of America, part of Sega Sammy, has released the Dreamcast Collection for the Xbox 360. This compilation includes four classic Dreamcast games: Crazy Taxi, Sega Bass Fishing, Sonic Adventure and Space Channel 5: Part 2.
THQ's game De Blob 2 is now available in stores. The game was released for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii and DS. The game has de Blob working to foment color revolution in a world where there is a war on color.
Sony Online Entertainment has launched EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious, the latest expansion for EverQuest II. The expansion follows the events of Sentinel's Fate and has players working to save Norrath by restoring the Swords of Destiny. The expansion adds new flying mounts, difficult dungeon crawls, tons of new quests, four new raids and tons of new items.
Continue reading EverQuest II: Destiny of Velious is Live.
Soldak Entertainment has released Demon War, the first expansion for the PC role-playing game Din's Curse. Available as a download, this expansion has players working to safeguard humanity from the perils of a Demon War, now with a new class, new species of demons and tons of new quests.
Sony has released more downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including the last episode in the Alien Breed trilogy and a classic laser-disc arcade game. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Sony Releases More Downloadable Games Through the PlayStation Store.
Turbine's massively multiplayer online game Dungeons & Dragons Online is celebrating is fifth anniversary today. The game launched five years ago, and to celebrate, the game is sending players back to Smuggler's rest on a treasure hunt to unlock access to Crystal Cove, a zone where crystal harvesting Kobolds must be protected from pirates.
XSeed Games has released Ys I & II Chronicles for the PSP to stores in North America. The game resurrects the classic action-oriented role-playing games from the 1980s on the PSP. The compilation can be purchased in stores for $30 or as a download from the PlayStation Store for $25.
Crave has launched its Kinect-enabled game Brunswick Pro Bowling for the Xbox 360. This game, compatible with the Xbox 360 motion controller, allows player to bowl by going through the motions.
Company: Penguin UnitedPlatform: PlayStation 3
Windows System Requirements: 3 USB Ports, USB Mouse, USB Keyboard, 512 MB RAM, 2 MB HD space, 4x CD ROM drive, Windows XP or more recent operating system
Penguin United's Eagle Eye Converter allows PlayStation 3 gamers to use a conventional USB keyboard and mouse in place of a PlayStation 3 controller. Not only does this allow shooter fans to frag with the precision of their PC counterparts, even genres such as fighting games benefit from the precise key-mapping and macros that can transform a single keystroke into a 15-hit instant kill combo.
Continue reading Eagle Eye Converter Review.
Paradox Interactive's game Cities in Motion is now available as a download for the PC through major game portals online. This game, developed by Colossal Order, is a mass transit simulation that has players building, managing and optimizing a massive transportation network.
Electronic Arts, together with Epic Games and People Can Fly, has released Bulletstorm for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC to stores in North America. The game includes exaggerated gunplay, immature humor and multiplayer action on "...Stygia, a planet where paradise was lost and has since been overrun with rampaging freaks, flesh-eating plants and creatures the size of skyscrapers.
Sony's game Killzone 3 for the PlayStation 3 has reached stores. Developed by Guerrilla Games, the game follows the events of Killzone 2 with the Helghast dissolving into warring factions, with the rest of humanity caught in between. This first-person shooter supports 3D display and the Move controller, and includes a robust multiplayer mode.
Nintendo has released another spate of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, this time including a game that has you guiding penguins on their escape efforts and a drift-racing game for the DS. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Nintendo Releases More Downloadable Games.
Company: iviPlatform: Windows, Mac and Linux
Windows System Requirements: 800 MHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 16-Bit Sound Card, Video Card with 64 MB VRAM, Broadband Internet Connection, Windows XP SP2 or more recent operating system
The future of television is now. Well... to be completely honest, the future of television is in the future, following a long series of complex economic and legal battles. Until that time comes, ivi.TV has a simple, elegant and functional way of viewing television over an internet connection.
Continue reading ivi.TV Review.
Company: SplitFishPlatform: PlayStation 3
Earlier versions of the FragFX controller were purely awesome, filling an enormous gaming-controller void with a controller that mixed the best aspects of PC and console controls. The FragFX line made it possible to play shooters on the PlayStation 3 with the kind of precision that makes games pure pleasure. With the FragFX Shark, SplitFish has released a wireless version of the controller that fixes absolutely all the minor quibbles I had with the earlier controller.
Continue reading FragFX Shark Controller for the PlayStation 3 Review.
Phoenix Online Studios has released the third episodic installment of its adventure game The Silver Lining. Called "My Online Love Sprung from My Online Hate," this latest episode can be downloaded for free and has Graham continuing his quest as he experiences strange visions, enigmatic riddles and a queen on the edge of a breakdown.
Winter Wolves has released its dating simulation and roleplaying game Love & Order as a download for the PC, Mac and Linux. The game is a dating simulation set in a legal office with four possible romantic prospects.
This week's Xbox Live Arcade release is Hard Corps: Uprising, downloadable to the Xbox 360 for 1,200 points ($15). Developed by Arc System Works, this is a side-scrolling with role-playing game elements that has players fighting their way through seemingly endless foes.
Zoo Games' title Pirate Blast for the Wii is now available for purchase from stores in North America. The game has players shooting piratical targets using the Wii remote, light-gun-style.
Atlus has officially launched its online game Pandora Saga for the PC. This "free-to-play" fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online game is now officially live, meaning that the game's cash shop is now available, allowing players to adventure freely with character-enhancing items purchased with real-world cash.
Sony has released a new slew of downloadable titles for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation store, including a bunch of Telltale Games' adventures, some PlayStation One classics and the downloadable version of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. Read on for more details...
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the PlayStation Store.
NIS America's game Hyperdimension Neptunia for the PlayStation 3 is available in stores in North America. This game, developed by Idea Factory, has players helping god-like video game consoles transformed into powerful humanoid creatures. These consoles participate in a role-playing game that sees them advancing and battling other god-like personified consoles.
Atari announced selected unaudited financial results concerning the third quarter (ended December 31, 2010) of its 2010/2011 financial year. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Atari Reports Much-Lower Nine-Month Revenues.
Square Enix's game Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is now available in stores in North America. This latest Final Fantasy: Tactics game allows players to do combat in the Valerian Isles using the "Non-Alternate Turn System battle engine" from Square Enix.
The Gears of War Triple Pack from Microsoft and Epic Games is now available in stores in North America. The title is a bit misleading, since this compilation does not include Gears of War 3. The Gears of War Triple Pack includes the original Gears of War, Gears of War 2 and the Gears of War 2 All Fronts Pack. Even so, that's a lot of Gears for $30.
Capcom's game Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is now available in stores in North America. This latest fighting game has Capcom's classic fighting characters facing off against Marvel superheroes such as Spider-Man, Iron Man and the Hulk.
THQ's game Dance Paradise for Kinect-enabled Xbox 360 consoles is now available in stores. The game has players using the Kinect sensor to mirror the movements of on-screen avatars.
Nintendo has released a new group of downloadable games for the Wii and DSi, including a panda adventure and a ninja-kissing game. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Nintendo Releases Ninja Kissing Downloadable Game, Among Others.
Ubisoft reported limited financial information concerning its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2011. In particular, Ubisoft reported stronger than expected sales. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Ubisoft Reports Stronger-Than-Expected Holiday Sales.
Nintendo has released Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation for the DS in North America. While hardly a new game (Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Revelation has been available in Japan for more than 15 years), this mark's the game's debut in North America. This particular Dragon Quest RPG has players battling Murdaw, a malevolent fellow who "spreads terror and unrest throughout a strange alternate universe."
Sony Ericsson announced that it plans to release the Xperia Play in the first half of this year on the Verizon Wireless network. This will mark the release of the first "PlayStation Certified" smartphone. It will run on the Android platform and will have access to its own version of the PlayStation Store with game content.
Destineer's Rec Room Games for the DS is now available in stores in North America. This game includes twenty social games you might find in someone's wood-paneled basement, such as air hockey, foosball, darts and rubber-band sharpshooting.
I-play, part of casual publisher Oberon Media, has launched its adventure game Dying for Daylight. The game features a story by Charlaine Harris that helps a vampire named Dahlia search for a potion to allow vampires to survive exposure to daylight.
NCsoft announced selected financial results for its 2010 fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading NCsoft Reports Profitable 2010.
Activision Blizzard reported its financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and announced the death of its Guitar Hero business unit. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Activision Blizzard Reports Better Year Despite Losing Fourth Quarter.
Peripheral manufacturer Mad Catz announced its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Mad Catz Reports Stronger 2010 Holiday Quarter.
This week's releases for Xbox Live Arcade include Double Fine's Stacking and TNT Racers. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Two More Games Reach Xbox Live Arcade.
The Walt Disney Company reported its financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended January 1, 2011. Read on for more details concerning the company's games business...
Continue reading Disney Reports Bigger Video Game Revenues.
Kalypso Media has released Dungeons for the PC in North America. Available both in stores and as a download, the game has players crafting their own dungeon and commanding nefarious beasts while attempting to reclaim the top place in the Dungeon Lord Hierarchy.
Take-Two Interactive reported its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended January 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Take-Two Interactive Reports Strong Holiday Net Income.
Koei's game Trinity: Souls of Zill O'll for the PlayStation 3 is now available in stores. The game has players taking control of three adventurers (a warrior, a spellsword and an assassin) on an extended quest to defeat the evil King Balor.
Magical Zhu Zhu Princess: Carriages & Castles from Activision Publishing, part of Activision Blizzard, is now available in stores. This DS game based on the line of Zhu Zhu Pets, lets players explore with new Zhu Zhu Princess characters and collect treats to make the Zhu Zhu Princesses happy.
Sony has added more downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP to the PlayStation Store, including a platformer with an exploding protagonist, Plants vs. Zombies, Double Fine's latest game and several classics from the original PlayStation. Read on for more details...
Continue reading More Games Added to the PlayStation Store.
Namco Bandai Games' Kinect-enabled title Body and Brain Connection for the Xbox 360 is now available in stores. This title is a brain-training-style game developed "under the supervision of renowned Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima" that mixes physical and mental challenges.
Naruto Shippuden: Shinobi Rumble for the DS has shipped to stores in North America. This fighting game has 16 characters from the Naruto universe battling one another, with human players fighting the AI or other human opponents using the DS wireless connection.
Bigpoint has launched its browser-based persistent game Battlestar Galactica Online, based on the television series that ran on the SyFy (once SciFi) network. The game emphasizes 3D space combat and is now emerging from closed beta testing.
Atari's game Test Drive Unlimited 2 is now available in stores in North America. Developed by Eden games, this racing title is now available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.
24Mas, an international distributor of mobile applications and advertising, has acquired THQ's wireless operations. 24Mas will take over all of THQ Wireless' business.
Idea Fabrik, a company that provides game-engine middleware, has chosen to open its own development studio in Virginia, called Second Star Interactive. Second Star Interactive will build a game using Idea Fabrik's HeroEngine, and will be managed by Darrin Hyrup (a former executive from Mythic Entertainment).
A new version of THQ's game You Don't Know Jack is now available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC and DS. Developed by Jellyvision Games, this game sees the return of host Cookie Masterson asking trivia questions of gamers. THQ plans to release downloadable content packs in the near future to expand the available pool of questions.
Nintendo's game Mario Sports Mix for the Wii is now available in stores in North America. The game includes Mario and friends competing in volleyball, basketball, hockey and dodgeball (complete with over-the-top power-ups).
Nintendo has released even more downloadable games for the DSi and Wii, including several casual puzzle games, shooters and a gymnastics game. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Yet More Downloadable Games Available for the Wii and DSi.
Namco Bandai announced the financial results of its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Namco Bandai Reports Third-Quarter Profit.
GameStop has decided that its stock is undervalued. Together with the fact that the game retailer has cash lying around after the holiday season, GameStop has decided to enact a new $500 million share and debt repurchase program. GameStop already had a $300 million share repurchase program in place, of which $138.4 million remain. The $500 million authorization means that GameStop now has $638.4 million to repurchase stock and Senior Notes over the next 18 months.
Sony announced its consolidated financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Sony Reports Higher Income From Game Division.
Square Enix announced selected financial results for its fiscal nine-month period ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Square Enix Reports Lower Nine-Month Profits.
THQ reported its financial results for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading THQ Reports Massive Loss Thanks to Future Games Based on Kids' Movies.
Capcom announced selected financial results for the nine-month period ended December 31, 2010 (for the financial year that ends March 31, 2011. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Capcom Reports Stronger Nine-Month Profits Thanks to Strong Game Sales.
Bionic Commando: Rearmed 2 is now available as a download for the Xbox 360 through Xbox Live Arcade. Downloadable for 1,200 points ($15), this is another retro-style side-scrolling platformer in which Nathan Spencer swings around on his bionic arm.
Zoo Games' ZombieZ Seeker for the DS has shipped to stores. This game has players battling hordes of undead in a struggle for survival.
Maximum Family Games has released its game Junior Brain Trainer 2 for the DS. Now available in stores, this software is designed to help kids improve their memory, spelling, reading and logic skills.
Sony has released a new slate of downloadable games for the PlayStation 3 and PSP through the PlayStation Store, including a new Bionic Commando game and an old Mega Man game. Read on for more details...
Continue reading More Downloadable Games Reach the PlayStation Store.
Electronic Arts has released The Sims 3: Outdoor Living Stuff both as a retail box and a download for owners of The Sims 3. This expansion adds outdoor entertainment items such as deck furniture, outdoor electronics and hot tubs.
Zoo Games' Photo Phantasy for the DS has shipped to stores. This software has players trying to spot the differences between pairs of photos.
Electronic Arts announced its preliminary financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2010. Read on for more details...
Continue reading Electronic Arts Reports Larger Third-Quarter Loss.
