Microsoft Corp. and Games for Change (G4C) today announced a joint commitment to explore new ways to bring together the world of digital gaming with the world of social change at the fourth annual Games for Change Festival at Parsons The New School for Design. As part of the announcement, Microsoft outlined an all-new socially minded global gaming competition, Xbox 360 Games for Change Challenge, to drive awareness for games based on social themes. This worldwide competition, set to launch this summer to participants in more than 100 countries, will challenge college students to come up with the best game … Continue reading Microsoft Marrying Games And Social Change →

Today, id Software unveiled their never-before-seen next-generation game engine technology, id Tech 5, running on a Mac at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference. This revolutionary new technology will power the studio's internally created new game property and will be available for licensing to third parties. Previous iterations of id technology have powered games with worldwide retail sales totaling more than $1 billion, cementing id's status as the premier technology provider for the industry. id Software's co-founder and technical director, John Carmack, demonstrated id Tech 5 during the keynote address and commented, "Since many developers at id have made the switch to … Continue reading iD Shows Off New Game Engine →

Cartoon Network New Media is expanding its games distribution to videogame consoles through an innovative browser application developed at AFI's Digital Content Lab. Launching in late 2007 to early 2008, the new multi-platform window called "MEGA Series" delivers an interactive video and gaming experience to broadband-enabled consoles. Additionally, the application can be adapted for distribution to a broad array of devices. Cartoon Network is the first television network to use Flash to uniquely reach the massive console audience. Compatible with PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) and Wii, MEGA Series may be delivered via the broadband connection of each console and is accessible … Continue reading Cartoon Network To Deliver Digital Games To PS2, Wii →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that The Sims 2 Pets for the Wii has shipped to retailers around the globe. For the first time ever on the innovative Wii platform, Nintendo players and Sims fans alike will be able to use the accessible Wii controls to create pets for their Sims to train, play with, and love as their own! Based on the popular The Sims 2 Pets – which has sold nearly 5.5 million units worldwide- The Sims 2 Pets for the Wii builds on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience that allows players to create and control … Continue reading Pets Invade The Sims 2 →

In a move to further bolster its presence in the North American market, Codemasters today announced the addition of three gaming and entertainment industry veterans to its growing U.S. operations based in Burbank, Calif. Former Konami Digital Entertainment COO Geoff Mulligan will lead the U.S. management team as president of Codemasters, Inc. Mulligan will report to CEO Rod Cousens. Catherine Fowler, previously senior vice president of sales and marketing at Konami and director of sales at Mattel, Inc., will serve as senior vice president of publishing. Joining as vice president of marketing is Charles Bellfield, formerly holding vice president titles … Continue reading Codemasters Hires Three Industry Vets →

Group today announced LEGO Universe as the official title for the upcoming MMOG being developed by NetDevil to further engage the company's dedicated and active community. LEGO Universe, currently planned for launch in the fourth quarter of 2008, is designed as the first MMOG professionally developed for LEGO fans and supported by community members from around the world. "LEGO Universe ties together all aspects of our community and line of products in an online environment that can be enjoyed by LEGO fans of all ages," said Mark William Hansen, Director of Business Development, LEGO Universe. "By merging the online world … Continue reading Legos To Become MMO →

After much anticipation, Sam & Max, the legendary dog and rabbit crime-fighting stars, are making their way to all major retail stores worldwide in August 2007 with Sam & Max: Season 1 for Windows – and they're bringing along a full-size printed color poster and a Bonus CD full of hilarious extras! This is the stuff of every collector's dream, with goodies that include: An all new "Making Sam & Max" behind the scenes video A full-sized printed poster featuring artwork by Sam & Max creator Steve Purcell Trailers for all six episodes Previously unreleased character bios Loads of concept … Continue reading Sam And Max Hit The Retail →

The World Cyber Games (WCG), the recognized blue chip leader for international video game competitions, will be "hitting the road" in 2007 as Samsung, Circuit City, and Microsoft join forces to deliver the World Cyber Games 2007 Tour. Featuring two state-of-the-art branded motor coaches, the World Cyber Games Tour 2007 will travel to six WCG USA live events making 28 stops along the way at Circuit City stores in WCG tournament markets including: the WCG USA Regional Finals in Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, and Indianapolis, the WCG USA. National Championships, and the WCG 2007 Grand Final in Seattle. … Continue reading World Cyber Games 2007 Tour Announced →

Ultimate Baseball Online 2007 teams can begin registering June 11 for the third season of the year. The 2007-3 season, which begins June 26, will culminate 10 rounds later with the crowning of one team as league champion. League competition will be open to three skill levels, allowing all players level 10 and up to participate with their teams-so with the season about to begin, now is the perfect time for new players to pick up their virtual baseball gloves and reach level 10 so they can participate. Each player will begin the new season with a clean slate, as … Continue reading Ultimate Baseball Online Signups Begin →

Agetec, Inc. announced today that they will be releasing Rhythm 'n Notes for the Nintendo DS handheld game console this fall. This unique title offers tonal and rhythmic music training in the form of entertaining piano and drumming games. No matter what your musical background or tastes, Rhythm ‘n Notes is for you! A perfect mixture of fun and education, Rhythm ‘n Notes has something to offer gamers and musicians of all ages. A wide variety of note lessons encourages players to recognize and identify not only notes but also complex chords. Rhythm exercises teach and test the fundamentals of … Continue reading Rhythm ‘n Notes Coming To DS →