Category Archives: News and Industry Happenings

EA Gets Tolkien Literary Rights

Electronic Arts announced that it has been granted the rights to develop games based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic literary fiction, The Lord of the Rings. Since 2001, EA has developed games based exclusively on New Line’s Academy Award winning theatrical productions of The Lord of the Rings, as depicted by Peter Jackson. The expansion of the rights allows EA to introduce players to depths of the fiction never before explored in an EA game. The company also revealed today the first details of two new games in the blockbuster The Lord of the Rings series; The Lord of the Rings, … Continue reading EA Gets Tolkien Literary Rights

Konami Gets American Idol Rights

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., announced a multi-year agreement with FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide, Americas (FLW, Americas), the U.S. licensing division of Fremantle Media, one of the largest international creators and producers of program brands in the world and the co-producer and licensor of American Idol, that gives the company the exclusive interactive video game rights for American Idol. Pursuant to the agreement, FLW, Americas grants Konami the rights to develop games for current and next generation video game systems based on America’s number one television program. The games will be distributed throughout America, Canada and Latin America with more details to … Continue reading Konami Gets American Idol Rights

Friends Trivia Game In Development

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will extend the "Friends" franchise to the videogame space with FRIENDS: THE ONE WITH ALL THE TRIVIA for console and PC. Scheduled for nationwide release on Nov. 15, 2005, the FRIENDS: THE ONE WITH ALL THE TRIVIA videogame will launch in conjunction with the final season of the #1 selling TV on DVD franchise, Friends: The Complete Tenth Season, from Warner Home Video (WHV). "With the incredible ‘Friends' television series and DVD phenomenon, many people have watched episodes countless times and have become experts, so it was natural to create an accessible and exciting videogame that … Continue reading Friends Trivia Game In Development

FlatOut Hits Stores

Get ready to chuck everything you learned in driver's ed out the window" Empire Interactive, a U.K. computer games developer and publisher, today announced that FlatOut is now available at retail outlets nationwide for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox videogame system from Microsoft and the PC. FlatOut brings racing mayhem to a new level with 36 challenging tracks, fully destructible environments, 16 fully upgradeable cars and six death-defying bonus events. Anything destroyed or altered stays a part of the race – broken fences, free rolling tires, and even mangled parts of cars are left scattered around the track, increasing … Continue reading FlatOut Hits Stores

Webzen Developing PS3 RPG

WEBZEN Inc. (NASDAQ: WZEN), a leading global online entertainment developer, publisher and operator, today announced the company has started development of Endless Saga, a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment system. WEBZEN unveiled a first look at the colorful new MMORPG at the Annual PlayStation Meeting hosted by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ). Produced by WEBZEN's D-Studio, Endless Saga is slated for release in 2007 for both PS3 Online and PC Online. "WEBZEN is honored to be among the select group of third-party publishers invited to participate at this year's Annual PlayStation … Continue reading Webzen Developing PS3 RPG

RoboRally Relaunch Ready

Celebrity game designer Dr. Richard Garfield (creator of the popular MAGIC: THE GATHERING Trading Card Game) has returned to iconic strategy board-game brand AVALON HILL to help relaunch the award-winning RoboRally, his classic game of battling robots. Out of print since the late ’90s, this game of mechanized mayhem has maintained a dedicated following of fans and fanatics through game clubs, play-by-mail forums and internet communities. In July, RoboRally aficionados worldwide will be treated to an updated printing of the popular game. AVALON HILL is published by Seattle-based hobby game leader Wizards of the Coast, Inc. (NYSE: HAS). "Our decision … Continue reading RoboRally Relaunch Ready

TotalGaming.net Give New Game Download Chanel

Stardock Entertainment, best known for its award-winning PC strategy games such as The Political Machine and Galactic Civilizations has released TotalGaming.net: Phase 2. TotalGaming.net is an electronic distribution network in which users can pick a game, press a button to buy it, and then immediately download it. Users download their games through Stardock's Secure Software Delivery system, Stardock Central. Stardock has already lined up agreements with companies such as Ubi Soft, Take 2, Strategy First, and others to put their games on to TotalGaming.net. In addition, Stardock is working with numerous independent game developers to get the best Indie titles … Continue reading TotalGaming.net Give New Game Download Chanel

Konami To Publish Wallace & Gromit Game

Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that it will publish the official video game based on Aardman Animation's and DreamWorks' upcoming movie, "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit." With huge free-roaming gaming environments, inventive action, plentiful gadgets, numerous mini games and humorous visuals that reproduce the distinctive look of the film, the game perfectly captures the fun, zany and imaginative world of Wallace and Gromit. The cheese-loving Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his loyal dog, Gromit, make their silver screen debut in "Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the … Continue reading Konami To Publish Wallace & Gromit Game

ESRB Changes Grand Theft Auto Rating

Take Two Interactive and Rockstar Games were dealt a blow today as the Entertainment Software Ratings Board, under intense pressure from parental groups and legislators, changed the rating on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas from M for Mature to AO for Adults Only. When Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released for the PC in June, it was not long before a hacker released a modification to the game that allows players to engage in simulated sex with the main character's girlfriends. Sex had always been in the game, but now it was something that you could actually see, instead … Continue reading ESRB Changes Grand Theft Auto Rating

Eve-Online Launches Cold War

CCP, an independent developer and publisher of massively multiplayer online games, today announced the highly successful and smooth launch of "EVE Online: Cold War Edition," a massive content upgrade to its popular massively multiplayer title "EVE Online." The launch of "EVE Online: Cold War Edition" signifies yet another huge milestone for the ambitious developer, being met with critical acclaim. "This upgrade introduces a whole new beginning player experience and lessens the learning curve for newcomers." said Magnus Bergsson, CMO of CCP Games. "The Cold War Edition introduces a completely new approach to introducing players to the game, making it very … Continue reading Eve-Online Launches Cold War