Vivendi Games today announced the acquisition of Wanako Games, based in Santiago, Chile. Wanako is the largest game development studio in Latin America. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition underscores the commitment by Vivendi Games' Sierra Online division to enhance its internal product development capabilities in the fast growing console download online games space. Sierra Online will bring to life several of Wanako's innovative, original concepts and will retain and grow its talented team of developers. Sierra Online teamed up with Wanako Games on the development of the action-packed Xbox Live Arcade title, Assault Heroes(TM), released … Continue reading Vivendi Buys Largest Chilean Game Firm →

Ken Rolston, the Lead Designer of smash hits Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion has joined Big Huge Games to create a to-be-announced role-playing game (RPG). Rolston is a 25-year industry veteran, whose extensive game credits also include pen-and-paper RPGs such as Paranoia and RuneQuest. "Ken's addition marks a bold new direction for Big Huge Games," said BHG President Tim Train. "We remain committed to creating real-time strategy games such as past hits Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends. At the same time, we've explored developing a role-playing game for several years now. Ken is a … Continue reading Oblivion Designer Joins Big Huge Games →

Majesco Entertainment Company (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of digital entertainment products and content, today announced Holly Hobbie & Friends for the Nintendo DSâ„¢. Developed by Frontline Studios, Inc. and scheduled to launch this fall, Holly Hobbieâ„¢ & Friends features the girl with heart, Holly Hobbie, and her best friends Carrie and Amy, as they take part in themed mini-games. "With a growing licensed product line that includes DVDs, toys and craft books, the Holly Hobbie property is as popular as ever," said Ken Gold, vice president of Marketing, Majesco. "Our Holly Hobbieâ„¢ DS game offers a positive play experience … Continue reading Holly Hobbie Coming To DS →

Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition was the top-selling console video game in January 2007 according to market research firm NPD. Lost Planet, which carries a "T" rating for teen audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board), is currently on retail shelves around the world. Lost Planet is an epic gaming masterpiece combining a gripping single player campaign and intense multiplayer modes with support for up to 16 players on the Xbox Live online game service. Taking full advantage of the Xbox 360 system's power, Lost Planet contains sophisticated visuals, with an unmatched level of detail as advanced light sourcing … Continue reading Lost Planet Is Top Monthly Seller →

The Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, Raymond Bachand, accompanied by Frank Zampino, President of the executive committee, City of Montréal, Julien Merceron, Chief Technology Officer of Eidos, Bill Ennis, Commercial Director of SCi Entertainment Group, Stéphane D'Astous, Managing Director of Eidos Montréal and Jacques Daoust, President and Chief Executive Officer of Investissement Québec, today announced that the British company will open a studio in Québec. Montréal was the only Canadian city selected by the major video game producer. The new studio will develop four games for NextGen platforms. A testing unit will also be established in Montréal. … Continue reading Eidos Opens Montreal Studio →

Neurok Optics, LLC, a US-based 3D technology developer and marketing company and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO), a Taiwan-based leading worldwide TFT-LCD manufacturing company, announced they have formed a new joint venture company. The new company, iZ3D, LLC, will be based in San Diego. It will develop and market iZ3D products for the electronic entertainment market as well as for commercial and professional visualization applications. "To enhance its leadership in the 3D display market, the newly formed iZ3D, LLC combines superior iZ3D technology and marketing capabilities with CMO's leading manufacturing techniques and worldwide distribution presence," stated David Chechelashvili, vice president of … Continue reading Neurok Optics, Chi Mei Launch iZ3D →

GarageGames, the leader in powerful, affordable game development tools, is pleased to announce the long-awaited release of Torque Game Engine Advanced. The 3D Torque Game Engine Advanced (known throughout development as Torque Shader Engine) takes full advantage of modern hardware technologies. Features include: TorqueNet: Strong multiplayer networking foundation built into the code. TorqueNet uses both UDP and TCP, with key features including support of multiple data delivery requirements, partial object state updates, ghost management, packet stream management, and an optimized Notified Delivery Protocol. Allows hundreds of players to connect to a single server within demanding FPS game lag and response … Continue reading GarageGames Releases Torque Game Engine →

KOEI, recognized worldwide as the premier brand of strategy and action games, today announced that SAMURAI WARRIORS 2 EMPIRES has reached gold status. The Tactical Action game set in Feudal Japan will be available for both the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Consumers can purchase the game at many North American retailers beginning February 28, 2007. SAMURAI WARRIORS 2 EMPIRES combines the most exciting aspects of Action, Fighting and Strategy games. At the start of the game Feudal Japan is divided into warring states and it is up to … Continue reading Samurai Warriors 2 Goes Gold →

GameTap, the first-of-its-kind broadband entertainment network from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), today announced that "Myst Online: Uru Live" will officially open its doors tomorrow on Thursday, February 15. Published by GameTap and developed by Cyan Worlds, "Myst Online: Uru Live" is the most recent addition to the GameTap Originals label. This latest installment of the best-selling Myst franchise introduces all-new Ages and puzzles while fusing the social concepts of a traditional massively multiplayer online game with mystery and problem-solving facets. Consumers can now visit www.gametap.com/mystonline to take advantage of a free trial offer and enjoy "Myst Online: Uru … Continue reading GameTap Gives Uru Live New Life →

Fashion designer Marc Ecko expanded his videogame offerings today with the formal announcement of Marc Ecko Entertainment, a newly formed organization focused on originating, funding, and developing interactive properties. The new division, to be headed by Marc Ecko Enterprises' ("MEE") veteran Mike Lynch, will focus on initiating and identifying innovative games, as well as working with publishers to bring them to market. "Our goal is to expand creativity in videogames – we want to try brand new things," said Marc Ecko, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of MEE. "There are so many great ideas out there that either aren't getting … Continue reading Marc Ecko Forms Videogame Company →