Leading Eastern and Central European publisher 1C Company officially announced today that it has signed an agreement in which it has acquired one of the largest Russian publishing and distribution companies, BUKA. 1C and BUKA are two of the most well known brands in the Russian games and multimedia market. Future cooperation opens new horizons for the strategic development of both companies. A merger is currently not planned, but managers of both enterprises will try to make the best use of the synergy in their publishing, distribution and marketing activities. This approach will give both 1C and BUKA a chance … Continue reading 1C Company Buys Buka Entertainment →

Hands-On Mobile, Inc., the world's leading developer of connected games and applications, in partnership with Activision Publishing, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVID), today announced the availability of Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass for mobile phones. The game is available today on select carriers nationwide. Backstage Pass adds a whole new dimension to the Guitar Hero universe and offers more than 25 hours of gameplay. Players assume the identities of Axel Steel or Judy Nails and promote their band and music on TV and radio, build buzz and street cred, create demo tapes, sign record contracts, handle press interviews, rehearse songs and play … Continue reading Guitar Hero III Goes To Phones →

AMD (NYSE:AMD) today announced that its board of directors elected President and COO Dirk Meyer as the company's chief executive officer. Meyer succeeds Hector Ruiz, who will become executive chairman of AMD and chair of the board of directors. As executive chairman, Ruiz will ensure a smooth executive leadership transition, focus on driving the company's asset smart strategy to completion, and assist with high-level government and strategic partner relations. "Dirk's election to CEO is the final phase of a two-year succession plan developed and implemented jointly by AMD's board of directors and executive team," said Robert Palmer, lead independent director. … Continue reading AMD Gets New CEO →

Harmonix and MTV Games announced today the addition of Nine Inch Nails and Shinedown to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content. Available July 22, the NIN three-pack includes the psychotic audio thrill ride "Burn" from the Natural Born Killers soundtrack, "Capital G" from their conceptual fifth studio release Year Zero, and "Last" from the second studio release, EP Broken. Nine Inch Nails is the Grammy winning industrial rock act founded by producer, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Trent Reznor more than 20 years ago with over 20 millions albums sold world wide. Each track will be available for … Continue reading Nine Inch Nails Added To Rock Band Downloads →

Forty percent of gamers are women according to a new survey released today by the video game industry's trade group, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). Additional findings in the ESA's annual survey of consumer demographics and usage behaviors indicate that the average age of game players has risen to 35. "This new data underscores the fundamental principle that computer and video games are a mainstream entertainment form, which captures the imagination of every segment of our society," said Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the ESA, the U.S. association representing computer and video game publishers. "No longer is there a stereotypical … Continue reading E3 News: ESA Says Women Gamers Increasing →

There is a reason for the rejoicing in Paragon City and the Rogue Isles. It is official – NCsoft has completely merged the two games into one game universe. All current subscribers who only had one of the games (City of Heroes or City of Villains) now have access to the features of both games. Additionally, all City of Heroes and City of Villains games for sale at retail or online will grant access to both games. This is the final step needed in preparing the IP for future projects, to be announced later this year. Paragon City and the … Continue reading City of Heroes/Villains Merge →

Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group (UPDPG) is creating a video game based on Universal Pictures' blockbuster action-thriller Wanted, starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. The game will be published worldwide by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and is being developed by renowned game developer GRIN, best known for its work on the Tom Clancy: Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter series and the upcoming Bionic Commando. The film, which was released on June 27, 2008, has earned $192 million in worldwide box office to date. Based upon Mark Millar's graphic novel series and helmed by stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov - … Continue reading Wanted Movie To Get Game Follow-up →

Silicon Valley based PlaySpan Inc. (www.playspan.com) has acquired PayByCash (www.paybycash.com) the leading alternative payment system for online games, virtual worlds and social networks. Together PlaySpan and PayByCash create one of the fastest growing commerce and payment service companies supporting game publishers' need for a complete commerce and payment platform in the rapidly growing market of online games and interactive entertainment. PayByCash is one of the most trusted payment brands for top-tier game publishers and millions of gamers worldwide. As a payment gateway, PayByCash provides the broadest network of 70 different payment methods, supported in over 200 countries. The Ultimate Game … Continue reading PlaySpan Buys PayByCash →

BigWorld has recently expanded its presence in both the Japanese and South Korean markets. Gavin Longhurst, BigWorld VP for Business Development, announced that this move bolsters BigWorld's ability to provide direct sales and support to the increasing number of game developers using the BigWorld MMO engine in the region. Longhurst said that BigWorld has appointed James Hursthouse, formerly founder and CEO of Online Game Services Inc. (OGSi), as Director, Business Development and Yoshikazu Furuhata as Account Executive. "BigWorld's client base", Gavin said, "continues to grow and this recent expansion now provides a local presence in the USA , China , … Continue reading BigWorld Expands To Japan →

The Honorable Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, will speak at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit on Wednesday, July 16, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) announced today. In addition, the ESA today released the official Summit exhibitor list, stating that the event's exhibit space is expected to sell out shortly. The 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit, an invitation-only event hosted by the ESA, will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. "Governor Perry and the E3 Media & Business Summit are both great success stories. The Governor's keynote address is especially timely given the high concentration of … Continue reading Texas Governor Rick Perry Speaking At E3 →