A dozen future game developers were welcomed today as the inaugural class of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at the University of Central Florida began school in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Orlando. The students will earn accredited master's degrees in interactive entertainment at the end of the 16-month program, which will prepare them to be producers, artists and programmers in the video-game industry. "I'm excited about the group of students we've got here," Executive Director Ben Noel said. "They all bring an abundance of talent and a passion for games that I think will make them leaders in the … Continue reading Game Development School Opens →

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced the release of Darkwatch for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Developed by High Moon Studios, Inc., Darkwatch is an immersive FPS (first person shooter) that blends the lawless action of the Wild West with the thrilling horror of vampire movies. Darkwatch is now available at retailers across North America and carries an "M" rating for mature audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). Darkwatch is a mysterious secret society that has protected humanity from evil since the dawn … Continue reading Capcom Releases The Darkwatch →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that, based on internal data, Madden NFL 06 scored big at retail in its first week in stores and sold-thru more than 1.7 million copies, making it the biggest week one launch of a Madden NFL Football game in the franchise's sixteen-year history. "Gamers were demanding the best Madden NFL Football ever this year and the response at retail indicates that we delivered the game that everyone wanted," said EA Vice President of Marketing Todd Sitrin. "Consumers have voted with their dollars, and the vote is in – this is the best version of Madden … Continue reading EA Claims Huge Madden Launch →

Perpetual Entertainment, developer of the upcoming massively multi-player online game Star Trek Online under license from Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, announced that Michael Okuda has joined the Star Trek Online development team as design consultant, at this past weekend's Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. Well known as the creator of the unique graphic user interface for the Star Trek computer system LCARS (Library Computer Access and Retrieval System), Okuda will be working with Perpetual to integrate the same look-and-feel into the game’s own interface, as well as to help visualize the future of the Star Trek universe. Taking … Continue reading Star Trek Staffer Joins Game Developer →

Emergent Game Technologies, a venture capital funded developer of the Emergent Platform, a suite of video game tools and online infrastructure, and NDL, a leading developer of 3D graphics technology for the computer and video game industry, have merged. The combined company, Emergent Game Technologies, will deliver the most comprehensive and innovative tools and technologies that game developers need to create better games on time and on budget. "Through licensing of the Gamebryo graphics engine and tools since 1997, NDL has developed a reputation of delivering solid and flexible technology while providing superior customer support. We will build on that … Continue reading NDL, Emergent Merge →

Bethesda Game Studios announced today that actress Lynda Carter will lend her voice talents to the award-winning videogame, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Developed for both the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC platforms, Oblivion is one of the year's most highly-anticipated games and sequel to the best-selling role playing game of 2002, Morrowind. Already receiving accolades in the games industry, Oblivion was recently voted "RPG of Show" by the Best of E3 Game Critics Awards, and Xbox.com called the game "one of the best-looking games ever seen." Created by Bethesda Softworks, Oblivion will launch this … Continue reading Lynda Carter Joins Elder Scrolls Cast →

Microsoft announced today that there will be two different Xbox systems set to go at launch. A supped up model will cost $399 while the basic one, called the Core System, will go on sale for $299. The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System-along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers and developers-will make their debut in North America, Europe, and Japan in time for this holiday season, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region … Continue reading Microsoft To Launch Two Xbox Versions →

Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has inked award-winning film and television composer Graeme Revell to score the soundtracks for its holiday blockbuster releases Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One. Revell, whose credits include such feature films as Sin City, Chronicles of Riddick, The Insider and The Saint will make his videogame debut using a live orchestra to capture the emotion and intensity of being on the battlefields of some of World War II’s most explosive conflicts. Graeme Revell is a New Zealand native whose highly sought-after work is recognizable by its mixture of traditional cultural … Continue reading Game Revell To Score Call Of Duty 2 →

A Sex Special Interest Group (Sex SIG) has formed within the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) to address the challenges and possibilities for adult content within games. The Sex SIG, which has been in the making since the 2005 Game Developers Conference last March, will provide an outlet where information can be shared among developers and those who wish to enter the field. "The Sex SIG will serve as an arena for developers to address the issues and challenges facing the use of adult sexual content in video games," said Brenda Brathwaite, Sex SIG Chair/Founder and Lead Designer on Playboy: … Continue reading Developers Form Special Sex Group →

Women In Games International, a newly-formed organization in the interactive entertainment industry, announced today their debut conference in a series, the Women in Games International Conference-Seattle at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. Titled "Advancing Your Career in Game Development: The Women’s Perspective," the conference is scheduled 1 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, September 10. The inaugural Women in Games International Conference has been created as a forum to discuss a wide range of issues related to women in games. This free-to-attend seminar will provide useful information for women and men, as well as new and veteran game developers, with topics … Continue reading Women In Games Conference Announced →