The simExchange, the online virtual stock market game where gamers buy and sell virtual shares in video games to predict how well the games will sell in the real world, has been upgraded at http://www.thesimexchange.com/. This is the first major update to the simExchange's presentation since its public beta. The simExchange was developed in the Fall of 2006 by recent Princeton University graduate Brian Shiau. Shiau developed the project because, "As a gamer, I always found it time consuming to sift through all the video game news to find new releases that are worth learning more about. I created the … Continue reading SimExchange Virtual Stock Market Game Launches →

InterAction Laboratories (IA-Labs), a leader in the development of active gaming technology, today announced plans to introduce a strength-based controller for the Nintendo Wii game console. The new controller will be called the Exer-station Wii. Similar to the standard Wii controller, Exer-station Wii will involve the player's entire body instead of just their hands/thumbs. Exer-station Wii is unique in that will engage players with resistance-based (vs motion-based) control and will work on the Wii console with any of the hundreds of game titles that were originally developed for the Nintendo GameCube. The resulting experience is far more immersive, precise, and … Continue reading InterAction Working On Wii Exercise Controller →

Digital Artist Management Inc. (DAM), the premier staffing and recruiting agency for the interactive entertainment space, has expanded its operations with the addition of a Bay Area office location in Walnut Creek, California. Two new executives, Lisa Bell Stewart and Lisa Dennis, will join DAM's established ranks of recruitment specialists, and will manage the firm's Northern California operations. "We see the San Francisco Bay Area as an industry epicenter poised for continued growth," said T.J. Summers, Senior Partner, DAM. "With this expansion, DAM will be able to further assist the needs of professionals and clients in interactive entertainment and related … Continue reading Digital Artist Management Opens In Bay Area →

Freeverse announced today Heroes of Might and Magic V for the Macintosh, under exclusive worldwide license from Ubisoft is shipping. Developed for the PC by Nival Interactive, Heroes of Might and Magic V brings the popular and long running strategy franchise into a new era with cutting-edge technology and a breathtaking, fully 3D animated world. The game features a deep, scalable turn-based battle system for challenging tactical combat as well as the option of a brand new Active Battle System for faster play. Players can choose from more than 200 skills, 170 creature abilities and 40 spells to build up … Continue reading Heroes of Might And Magic V For Mac Ships →

The World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade has been added to the prize pool for Gameindustry.com. Each week, one lucky reader of the GiN newsletter is chosen at random. They get their choice of any of the prizes currently in the pool. A subscription to the weekly newsletter is completely free. To see all the current prizes and to subscribe, click on the Subscription link above or go here: http://www.gameindustry.com/subscribe/ Recently reviewed in GiN, The Burning Crusade got a perfect 5 Gem score. Reviewer Ryan Allen wrote, "If you are a fan of WOW then you'll definitely want to buy … Continue reading The Burning Crusade Added To Prize Pool →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that the company is developing MySims, the first game in a revolutionary new line from the developers of the blockbuster franchise The Sims, designed especially for the Wii and Nintendo DS platforms. MySims introduces a charming cast of whimsical characters while delivering the creativity, customization and classic open-ended gameplay that has enchanted Sims players worldwide. Players begin by creating their own toy-like Sim that reflects their personal style and attitudes. From pig-tails and baseball caps to dreadlocks and Mohawks, the options are endless and the style is unlike any Sims game to date. By … Continue reading The Sims Moving To DS, Wii →

Acclaim Games and video game industry superstar David Perry have partnered to present the ground-breaking "Top Secret" project. In this project, players actually get an opportunity to participate in the entire video game development process from start to finish. In an unprecedented move for the game industry, these players will be given a chance to have their work featured in a massively multiplayer PC game that will be published by Acclaim and directed by David Perry. Perry will choose a winner from the contributors, and Acclaim will be giving them a breath-taking prize, ‘A Video Game Industry Directorship', working on … Continue reading Acclaim Letting Players Design New Top Secret MMO →

I-play, the mobile entertainment company, today announced the imminent arrival of its explosive original IP title: Pillowfight. As the only game to feature gorgeous gals battling each other with pillows, the title is also the first to include I-play's new community initiative: I-play lounge, which enables mobile gamers to upload high scores, compete against fellow gamers and receive downloadable rewards for their gameplay. Pillowfight launches in the US and Europe at the beginning of the second quarter. Established for many years in the bedrooms and dormitories of college students, the underground craze has started to break out onto the streets, … Continue reading I-Play Launching Pillow Fight Game →

National Geographic Kids magazine is celebrating its special pet issue by searching for "America's Most Amazing Pet." The three-month-long contest kicks off in the March issue of the magazine, on newsstands now. Kids throughout the United States are invited to participate by submitting a one-minute video, color photograph or comic creation and a 50- to 100-word story explaining why their pet should be named "America's Most Amazing Pet." A panel of experts will select 10 finalists, and an online vote will decide the grand-prize winner. The contest is sponsored by Planetwide Media's Comic Book Creator software and SeaWorld and Busch … Continue reading National Geographic Looking For Most Amazing Pet →

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 →