Games industry senior executives, decision makers and researchers gathered in London last week for the ELSPA International Games Summit, with the market’s thought leaders taking this valuable opportunity to share their vision, their strategies and their concerns as the industry sits on the cusp of the next-generation transition. The annual event continues to grow from strength to strength and this, its third year, was its most successful yet – with a diverse selection of speakers and sessions, each of great relevance to the rapidly evolving business of games, and an audience comprised of senior executives from across the interactive entertainment … Continue reading Summit Charts Industry Course →

NCsoft Europe today unveiled its exciting plans for the largest tournament that the City of Heroes community has ever seen. Taking place over several months and involving players from all over Europe, the Super Summer Slam Spectacular (S4) offers something for players of all persuasions. S4 will take place over three separate stages. The initial stage (already underway but still very enterable) involves designing a set of costumes for a five-hero strong team to wear into battle. The costumes will be worn by the victorious players from the next stage, the Pentad Cup, which involves each server in Europe hosting … Continue reading European Superheroes To Compete →

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced today that SAG President Melissa Gilbert and National Executive Director/CEO Greg Hessinger will convene a special meeting of the national board on Wednesday, June 29, to consider the tentative Interactive Media Agreement with video game companies that was rejected this past Tuesday by SAG's National Executive Committee. "When the NEC rejected the tentative contract earlier this week, we said we'd explore all our remaining options," said Hessinger. "Since then, we have received feedback from enough of our membership to conclude that this matter must be brought before the full board for its consideration." The previous … Continue reading SAG Considering Deal →

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announces that Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for the Nintendo DS system has shipped to retailers across North America and will be available June 28, 2005. Key features of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for Nintendo DS include: • All the new moves and gadgets of the console versions released in March 2005, but with the addition of the exclusive Swat Turn. • Touch Screen technology that allows players to manage the inventory, choose between three vision modes and maneuver the camera. • The wireless communication of the … Continue reading Splinter Cell Sneaks Onto DS →

Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) today announced the acquisition of independent game developer Swordfish Studios. Under terms of the agreement, VU Games will retain Swordfish Studios’ U.K.-based team of 45 development professionals. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. "Swordfish Studios has emerged as a strong creative force with an experienced and talented group of professionals," said Bruce Hack, CEO of VU Games. "Following the integration of Radical Entertainment into the VU Games organization and Blizzard Entertainment’s acquisition of Swingin’ Ape Studios earlier this year, the purchase of Swordfish further builds our internal development capabilities." Trevor Williams, Managing Director … Continue reading Vivendi Buys Swordfish →

Sony Online Entertainment Inc., and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment today announced exclusive long-term licensing agreements allowing SOE to develop a DC Comics massively multiplayer online game for PC and next generation consoles, as well as the acquisition of The Matrix Online game by SOE. "By working with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment we will fuse the knowledge SOE has in the online space with some of Warner Bros.’ phenomenal properties," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. "SOE will work closely with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics to maintain the authenticity consumers demand from the DC Comics franchises. We … Continue reading Sony Online Buys Matrix Game, DC Comics Rights →

Co-publishers Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have announced that the Batman Begins videogame hits retail shelves nationwide today for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. The game, based on the Warner Bros. Pictures film Batman Begins and DC Comics' legendary character, is rated "T for Teen." The game features an all-star cast, including the voices and likenesses of Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Liam Neeson (Henri Ducard), Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes), Cillian Murphy (Dr. Jonathan Crane), Tom Wilkinson (Carmine Falcone) and Morgan Freeman … Continue reading Batman Game Launches With Movie →

In 1982 Robotron defeated an invasion force destined for world domination" or so we thought. Now humanity is extinct, but in our last dying days a new hero was born: Ultratron! Puppygames is thrilled to announce mankind's final and finest hour with the release of Ultratron to avenge humanity's defeat! Download it today for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Realizing that humans had come to rely on graphics rather than skill with their weapons, the retro invasion began. Our 3D technology was no match for the 2D invaders and all our greatest heroes were consumed in their terrible onslaught. It was … Continue reading Ultratron Retro Game Released →

SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced an agreement with Sprint (NYSE: FON) to offer select SIRIUS Satellite Radio programming. Some of the music channels being evaluated by Sprint and SIRIUS for the new service include new hits, classic rock, hip-hop, country, blues and soul to jazz and Broadway's best music. The new Sprint service will be available nationwide, and both companies plan to announce more specifics of the service, as well as the price later this year. "Our exceptional programming is the primary force behind the rapidly growing success of SIRIUS, and we are excited about this venture with … Continue reading SIRIUS Teams With Sprint →

With only one week to go, the roster of top-level speakers and hard-hitting topics at the ELSPA International Games Summit grows ever more impressive. Keynotes will include Electronic Arts’ Rory Armes, who is VP and general manager of its $300 million grossing European Studio. The Summit also plays host to an industry super panel which will close the event on Wednesday 22nd June. Discussing a range of issues and taking questions from the floor, the panel will include senior decision makers from the European computer and video games industry. Other additions to the schedule include a session that will look … Continue reading International Games Summit Gearing Up →