Category Archives: News and Industry Happenings

WoW Players Reach Million In North America

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. today announced that World of Warcraft, its subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), has reached more than one million paying customers in North America. This brings the total population for Blizzard's critically acclaimed game, the largest MMORPG in the world, to more than four million paying customers. "It's very rewarding to see so many new and returning players logging in to play World of Warcraft daily," said Mike Morhaime, president and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "With the continued support of our retail partners, World of Warcraft has reached more than one million paying customers in North … Continue reading WoW Players Reach Million In North America

DDR Extreme Gets MTV Award

Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that Dance Dance Revolution EXTREMEâ„¢ (DDR EXTREME) won the best video game soundtrack award at this year's MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which occurred on Sunday, August 28, 2005 in Miami, Florida. "It's a great honor to receive this prestigious award, especially among all the other top video games in this category," said Jason Enos, product manager for Konami Digital Entertainment – America. "DDR is all about the music and that is why Konami spends so much time and effort ensuring that each new DDR game … Continue reading DDR Extreme Gets MTV Award

Matrix To Publish Starships Unlimited III

Matrix Games (www.matrixgames.com) is proud to announce the signing of ApeZone's (www.apezone.com) Starships Unlimited III. Matrix Games published the previous game in the acclaimed space strategy game series under the title Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies, which was well received by gamers and the press alike. David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, "Years after the release of Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies, many of us remain addicted to its unique and elegant take on 4X space strategy. We're looking forward to working with ApeZone again to bring the sequel, Starships Unlimited III, to fans of Divided Galaxies as well … Continue reading Matrix To Publish Starships Unlimited III

Sony, Disney Cut Toontown Deal

Sony Online Entertainment's Platform Publishing, a cross-platform publishing, distribution and marketing label, and Disney Online in association with Buena Vista Games announced an agreement today that is scheduled to bring Disney's Toontown Online, the first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game designed for kids and families, to retail stores this Fall. The family-friendly online title will carry an MSRP of $19.99, which includes a two-month subscription to the game service. Additionally, Platform Publishing has secured a license to also create an online version of Toontown specifically for video game consoles. "Platform Publishing is working with Disney Online to make Toontown available … Continue reading Sony, Disney Cut Toontown Deal

Ubisoft to show titles at Game Market Europe Show

Games Market Europe has today revealed that Ubisoft will be showcasing its eagerly-awaited Peter Jackson’s King Kong at next week’s European trade event at the Business Design Centre in London. Games Market Europe, which runs on August 31st and September 1st, is the only UK trade show for the computer and video games business, and Ubisoft will pack out stands D52, D54 and D62 with a selection of its pre-Christmas line-up. The result of an unparalleled collaboration between Ubisoft’s Montpellier studio and triple Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson with visual-effects company Weta Ltd., Peter Jackson’s King Kong is set for … Continue reading Ubisoft to show titles at Game Market Europe Show

Nintendo Characters Hit SSX Slopes

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Nintendo announced today a partnership that brings the Nintendo All-Stars – Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach – to the Nintendo GameCube version of SSX On Tour, scheduled to launch this fall under the EA SPORTS BIG brand. The game is being produced by Electronic Arts Canada in Vancouver, BC. This marks the second collaboration between EA and Nintendo to bring Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach to the EA SPORTS BIG lineup of titles, with NBA Street V3 being the first iteration of the partnership. Building on the critically acclaimed gameplay of the SSX franchise, SSX … Continue reading Nintendo Characters Hit SSX Slopes

PSP Web Browser Added

The somewhat delayed Web browser addition which adds Web surfing capabilities to the Sony PSP, was finally made available today. The firmware 2.0 upgrade is designed to let users surf the Internet from hotspots using the device’s built-in Wi-Fi functions. In addition, the upgrade features Wi-Fi security, tools for photo sharing and enhanced video and audio playback. The software can be downloaded from the PSP Web site directly to the PSP via a wireless connection, or downloaded to a PC and transferred through a USB cable. The upgrade is available as a download from http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/. With the upgrade, the PSP … Continue reading PSP Web Browser Added

Europe Given A Chance To Meet Super Villain

NCsoft Europe has today announced that it is offering one lucky person the chance to meet the creator of the highly anticipated City of Villains. The lucky winner, who will be chosen from the existing City of Heroes community, will attend an elite party with the NCsoft team and Statesman himself, Jack Emmert, at the European unveiling of City of Villains on September 1st. The winner will be taken to a top-secret Arachnos lair in the City of London, where Jack Emmert himself will be waiting to give an exclusive demonstration of City of Villains. They will then gain VIP … Continue reading Europe Given A Chance To Meet Super Villain

Capcom Releases Fists Of Vengence

Capcom today announced the release of Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xboxâ video game system from Microsoftâ. Set in the seedy underbelly of Las Sombras, players are immersed in an urban setting ruled by a criminal underworld of power, greed and corruption. This intense, urban action game features a twisting storyline filled with betrayal, warring cartels and hard-hitting battles. Players must use their wits and depend on their fists above all else, as they seek vengeance against their enemies. Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance includes multiple modes, diverse gameplay and an … Continue reading Capcom Releases Fists Of Vengence

MFORMA Releases California Games To Mobile

MFORMA Group, Inc., the leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment, has released California Games, a retro collection of fun, summer beach games to play on your mobile phone, based on the EPYX smash hit console game of the 80s. The original California Games introduced the "extreme games" genre and was named one of the 50 greatest video games of all time. MFORMA's mobile version of California Games captures and rekindles the original excitement and takes you back to the days when nothing was more important than getting air on the half-pipe or shredding waves in the California surf. … Continue reading MFORMA Releases California Games To Mobile