Category Archives: News and Industry Happenings

Microsoft Promises Natal By Christmas, New Halo By Spring

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer opened up the largest consumer technology trade show in the world, the Consumer Electronics Show, with a talk that mostly revolved around Windows 7 and strides in computer gaming. And he said Natal would be ready by Christmas. Microsoft announced Project Natal at E3. The new controller-free video gaming system, which reads a players body movements with cameras and mimics them with avatars on screen, will be available for purchase by the holiday season this year. Microsoft did not say how much the system would cost, but again stressed that it would work with all existing … Continue reading Microsoft Promises Natal By Christmas, New Halo By Spring

Pirates Plund-Arrr Announced For Wii

Ahoy Matey! Pull up anchor and get ready to set sail in search of stolen booty as Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of video games for the mass market, today announced Pirates Plund-Arrr for Wiiâ„¢. In this fun and frantic beat-'em-up, players hunt the high seas for the renegade captain Rudebelly who has stolen the Scepter of Power and unleashed an army of cursed dead, ghastly ghouls and menacing bosses. In Pirates Plund-Arrr, players will fight through creature-filled areas like a murky swamp, an underwater city, and a haunted village to ultimately face-off against the scallywag Rudebelly … Continue reading Pirates Plund-Arrr Announced For Wii

Fallen Earth Improves Wilderness Graphics

Fallen Earth, LLC today announced the inclusion of several wilderness graphics enhancements, specifically to the elements of scrub-including grass and shrubs-terrain and fog. Sharpening and blending textures, colors and lighting, the new and improved details enhance the look and feel of the Fallen Earth post-apocalyptic environment and heighten player immersion. "The environment in Fallen Earth adds so much to the players' experience," said Chris Deavellar, art director for Fallen Earth. "We want to capture the mood of the post-apocalyptic world and the improvements certainly enhance the appearance and atmosphere of the game." The new, full scrub enhances several environmental aspects, … Continue reading Fallen Earth Improves Wilderness Graphics

Bayonetta Ships

SEGA of America, Inc. today announced BAYONETTATM is now available in the U.S. for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Boding well for the U.S. market, the eagerly anticipated action game has received perfect scores in Japan's Famitsu and UK's Edge, two of the most highly respected gaming magazines in their respective territories. The game also currently boasts a more than 90 out of a 100 point metacritic score, which is an aggregation of the review scores from the top gaming outlets in the U.S. and abroad. BAYONETTA is a … Continue reading Bayonetta Ships

NinjaBee Working On New Xbox Live Game

Independent video games developer NinjaBee is kicking off the New Year with a new game for Xbox LIVE Arcade. Each Tuesday in January the developer will show off new art from the project on its blog www.NinjaBee.com/blog/, leading up to a more detailed, official announcement at the end of the month. "2010's gonna be a big year for us," said NinjaBee's Art Director Brent Fox. "We're putting our biggest effort to date into making this game standout. The game is going to give people what we hope will be the most complete and best avatar experience on Xbox LIVE Arcade." … Continue reading NinjaBee Working On New Xbox Live Game

First "Sightless" FPS Ready For Play

Inspired by Dutch artist M.C. Escher, Devil's Tuning Fork (DTF) challenges players to rescue children whose spirits are trapped in a lightless – and sightless – 3D world. Created by a 15-student development team in DePaul University's Game Dev program, the free PC game was developed in less than five months, with students working nights and weekends in the University's development and animation labs. In DTF, creative graphics and immersive sound design turn the typical first-person shooter upside down. Instead of shooting their way though the map, players must navigate a dream-like maze guided only by the sound waves emitted … Continue reading First "Sightless" FPS Ready For Play

Devil Dice Rolls Onto Phones

The addictive puzzler takes AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile phones by storm today San Mateo, Calif. – Jan. 5, 2009 – Mobile gamers can test their luck with Devil Dice, the PlayStation computer entertainment system hit puzzler, now available for mobile phones on AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile devices. Published by Hudson Entertainment, the North and South American subsidiary of HUDSON SOFT, Devil Dice can now be downloaded. "Devil Dice appeals to the puzzle-lover in us all," said Mike Pepe, director of marketing at Hudson Entertainment. "With three unique modes and the addictive gameplay of the original, Devil Dice will keep players … Continue reading Devil Dice Rolls Onto Phones

Divinity II: Ego Draconis Ships

CDV Software Entertainment USA is pleased to announce that Divinity II – Ego Draconis is now available in North America on the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC! The sequel to the critically acclaimed fantasy RPG Divine Divinity, Divinity II – Ego Draconis transports players back to the wide-open, war-torn world of Rivellon where they will battle the forces of evil not just as a human Dragon Slayer, but also as a powerful dragon! Developed by Larian Studios, Divinity II – Ego Draconisboasts a robust fantasy adventure of more than 60 hours, teeming with … Continue reading Divinity II: Ego Draconis Ships

Virtual Space Station Sells For $330,000

First Planet Company, developer and publisher of the largest real cash economy MMORPG, announced today the results of the public auction of the Crystal Palace Space Station. The winning bidder acquired the property for a record-breaking $330,000.00 USD. The previous record was confirmed in the Guinness World Records book in 2008. It featured another piece of property in the Planet Calypso game bought for $100,000 USD as "The Most Expensive Virtual Object." "This is a stunning investment opportunity, and I have complete faith I will recover what I spent relatively quickly," said Erik Novak, the winner of the Crystal Palace … Continue reading Virtual Space Station Sells For $330,000

Fast Draw Showdown Comes To Wii

Digital Leisure Inc. a leading developer and publisher of interactive video-based titles and console games, announced today the launch of Fast Draw Showdown, designed exclusively for Nintendo's WiiWare game service. When it comes to fast draw there're only two types of people: the quick"and the dead! Now you have the chance to find out where you stand, or lie, as the case may be. You'll go up against the best quick draws in the business, including one of the world's fastest, Wes Flowers. Unholster your Wii Remote and show'em who the fastest draw really is, in this live action shooter … Continue reading Fast Draw Showdown Comes To Wii