SEE Virtual Worlds, an entertainment company publishing a virtual reality universe of connected planets tied to licensed franchises, today announced a collaborative deal with Universal Partnerships & Licensing to publish a virtual world based on the classic Universal Monsters. The massively multiplayer online game will allow players to emulate the infamous monster hunter Van Helsing as they track down the monsters in celebrated scenes based on the series of horror films distributed by Universal Pictures. Slated to launch in late 2011, the new world will combine the classic survival horror genre with the interactive elements of a true virtual world. … Continue reading Van Helsing MMO Gets Green Light →

ZeniMax Media Inc., parent company of noted game publisher Bethesda Softworks, today announced acclaimed game designer and director, Shinji Mikami, has joined ZeniMax in a deal where ZeniMax acquired Tango Gameworks, the development shop founded and run by Mikami. Best known as the creator of the Resident Evil series, Mikami is a 20-year veteran of the industry who has developed numerous award-winning titles. "It’s refreshing to find a publisher who understands, trusts, and supports the development of blockbuster games and works to make it a collaborative effort," said Mikami. "The library of AAA franchise titles ZeniMax owns speaks for itself. … Continue reading Resident Evil’s Shinji Mikami Joins ZeniMax (Bethesda Softworks) →

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is now available at North American retailers for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (PlayStationPortable) system and Wii system from Nintendo. Poised to deliver destiny-defining moments, best-in-class creation tools and ultimate virtual control of WWE, along with the largest roster of playable WWE Superstars, WWE Divas and WWE Legends in franchise history, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is rated "T" for Teen and is available for the suggested retailed prices of $59.99 (Xbox … Continue reading WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2011 Ships →

Cosmic forces and Spider-Man collide in new downloadable content for Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions from Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI), available on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Developed by Activision studio Beenox, players can now don one unique Cosmic costume for each of the four distinct worlds in the game – Amazing, Noir, 2099 and Ultimate – and are also granted one all-new signature charge attack. The downloadable content is available now from Xbox LIVE Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points and from the PlayStationStore for $2.99, which will be available … Continue reading Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions Gets DLC →

Concrete Software, Inc., a leader in innovative mobile content, announced today the release of PBA Bowling 2 for Android. Concrete Software and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) have partnered to create a 3D bowling game that allows users to play against bowlers from the PBA, such as Walter Ray Williams Jr., Bill O’Neill, and Chris Barnes. It is available on the Android Market as well as other channels. PBA Bowling 2 offers many features including intense 3D graphics and customizable bowling balls with new special effects. One of the most notable features included in the game is online leaderboards, which … Continue reading PGA Bowling 2 Goes Android →

Sony Online Entertainment will be summoning the spirits, spooks and skeletons with the upcoming Halloween-themed activities and in-game events taking place in several of its hit online titles including, Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Free Realms, EverQuest, EverQuest II and Star Wars Galaxies. Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures: Sith O’Lanterns and Battle Droid Scarecrows have taken over the JediTemple! The inaugural Halloween celebration in Clone Wars Adventures adds plenty of creepy-crawlies around the virtual world. Players can participate in the daily Mask Handout to collect a new iconic mask each day, including YodaTM, Jar Jar Binks, Padmé and Grievous! Players … Continue reading Sony Adding Halloween Fun To Several MMOs →

Valve and Activision Publishing, Inc today announced the upcoming holiday blockbuster, Call of Duty: Black Ops (PC), is now available for pre-purchase via Steam, a leading platform for PC and Mac games with over 30 million accounts around the world. Those who pre-purchase Call of Duty: Black Ops on Steam will be able to start playing immediately upon release on November 9, 2010, when Activision expects the title will be available worldwide. Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty: Black Ops utilizes the Steamworks suite of tools. The title is rated "M" (Mature – Blood, Drug, Reference, Intense Violence and Language) … Continue reading Call Of Duty: Black Ops Comes To Steam →

Seven45 Studios, the new video game publisher, developer and hardware manufacturer that is a sister company to musical instrument manufacturing giant First Act, has made a limited edition full-size guitar controller for Power Gig: Rise of the SixString available for purchase at PowerGig.com. Power Gig: Rise of the SixString is the first band videogame for which the guitar controller is a fully functioning six-string electric guitar. The game is now available at retail bundled with a real electric guitar, and gamers can now purchase additional full-size guitars for the game on PowerGig.com. The limited edition guitars available on the site … Continue reading Power Gig: Rise Of The SixString Ships →

Valve today announced the latest growth data for Steam, a leading platform for PC & Mac games and digital entertainment, revealing new account growth of 178 percent, sales growth of over 200 percent, over 200 Steamworks games shipped to date, and more. During the past 12 months the platform had year-over-year new user growth of 178 percent, pushing the total number of active accounts to over 30 million, with over 1,200 games now offered. Peak simultaneous player numbers were also up to over three million, with over six million unique gamers accessing Steam each day. In addition to new user … Continue reading Valve’s Steam Hits 30 Million Subscribers →

Want to try out the hottest medieval RTS without paying a dime? Neocore Games and Paradox Interactive today announced the arrival of the demo for the recently released real time strategy game Lionheart: Kings’ Crusade. Gain insight of the Crusader Campaign as you dive into the first and and part of the second mission. The demo offers a taste of the complete Lionheart experience. Demo players can test the management phase and mission briefings. Forge into the first mission’s battle and prepare for the battle of the second mission. View the tutorial battle on Cyprus and create a profile so … Continue reading Lionheart Kings’ Crusade Demo Ready →