Category Archives: News and Industry Happenings

Bold's Elite Warriors: Vietnam Goes Gold

Bold Games, a unit of Destineer, today announced that its highly anticipated new PC title, Elite Warriors: Vietnam, has gone gold. The intensely realistic first-person shooter takes gamers through the authentic missions experienced by former Studies and Observations Group (SOG) member and best-selling author, Maj. John L. Plaster (USA-Ret). Elite Warriors: Vietnam is scheduled for release March 25 for a suggested retail price of $29.99. "Elite Warriors: Vietnam is as authentic to the real war as you can get. This is the way we actually operated, and I worked hard with the developers to get it right," said Plaster. "Enemy … Continue reading Bold's Elite Warriors: Vietnam Goes Gold

WildSnake Invades Again

WildSnake Software (www.wildsnake.com) has announced that their sequel to the award winning Invasion Pinball has "Gone Gold" and is ready for purchase from their site. The Earth is being invaded again, and you, pinball master, are all that stands between freedom and annihilation! With many brand new twists on the classic theme, the question still remains: Can you play pinball when the targets are moving and firing back at you? INVASION 2 makes some huge leaps forward in creating a fast paced pinball extravaganza. Two more flippers have been added for new control over the arena and each round starts … Continue reading WildSnake Invades Again

New Mobile Phone Game Announced

Nokia and Tantalus Interactive today announced Payload, a futuristic action game that blends white-knuckle racing with a heavy dose of hard-hitting destruction. With its amazing 3D graphics it offers a unique mix of strategy, combat and traditional racing. This N-Gage exclusive game is sure to get pulses racing whether it's played alone or against up to 4 friends via Bluetooth wireless technology. Set in the distant future, players are members of courier teams hired to transport the precious crystalline mineral fuel source. As the players make their way to their goal, they will encounter gangs of marauders, and rival teams, … Continue reading New Mobile Phone Game Announced

Next Xbox Details Revealed

Today at the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC), Microsoft Corp. announced the first details of its next-generation Xbox video game system platform, highlighting how hardware, software and services are being fused to power enhanced game and entertainment experiences. Microsoft Corporate Vice President and Chief XNA Architect J Allard further outlined the company's vision for the future of entertainment, citing the emergence of an "HD Era" in video games that is fueled by consumer demand for experiences that are always connected, always personalized and always in high-definition. "In the HD Era the platform is bigger than the processor," Allard said. "New … Continue reading Next Xbox Details Revealed

GDC Opens

The 19th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicks off today at The Moscone Center West. More than 10,000 game industry professionals from around the world are expected to attend the gathering, which is exclusively devoted to the art, technology and business of game creation. The conference will run through March 11, 2005. GDC provides a forum for game developers to explore new techniques for next generation game design. Attendees will get a chance to hear powerhouse executives from Microsoft, Nintendo and other industry leaders paint the future of the game business. Conference-goers can also participate in more than 300 lectures, … Continue reading GDC Opens

Sammy Studios Goes Independent; Forms High Noon Studios

Sammy Studios, Inc. today announced that it has completed a management buyout from parent company Sammy Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. The private investment group led by John Rowe, president and chief operating officer of Sammy Studios, purchased all shares of the company as well as the rights to original video game properties being developed at the studio, including the upcoming console title "Darkwatch." The acquisition takes place in advance of Sammy’s integration of video game operations with Sega as the two Japanese companies merge into Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc. Sammy Studios also announced today that the company has changed its … Continue reading Sammy Studios Goes Independent; Forms High Noon Studios

The Chronicles of Narnia To Become Game

Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., today announced new details about its upcoming action/adventure title, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (TM) handheld entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PC. Inspired by the upcoming highly anticipated motion picture from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the games will launch this Holiday season, in conjunction with film's release. Prominent UK software developer Traveller's Tales is currently creating the console and PSP titles, while Griptonite … Continue reading The Chronicles of Narnia To Become Game

Game Rental Pioneer Dies

The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and its members are mourning the passing of George Atkinson, who is generally considered to have been the "inventor" of video rental. Atkinson died Thursday in Los Angeles. "From George Atkinson's innovation, a tremendous industry has developed," said Bo Andersen, President of VSDA. There are now more than 24,000 video stores in the U.S. In 2004, there were 2.6 billion DVDs and VHS cassettes were rented, generating more than $8 billion in revenue. In the Fall of 1977, George Atkinson bought one Betamax and one VHS copy of each of the first 50 movie … Continue reading Game Rental Pioneer Dies

ESRB Reveals New E10+ Rating

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board unveiled a new game ranking that will fit between the E for everyone and the T for teen rank on the ratings ladder. The board had taken from heat recently about putting too lax ratings on certain games, but also from developers who felt their Everyone-aimed games were going into the Teen category. The E10+ rating will fill that void. "We found we were putting games we thought were preteen in the teen category," said Patricia Vance, president of the board. "And with the levels of sophistication in game play and graphics now, we felt … Continue reading ESRB Reveals New E10+ Rating

DreamCatcher's Domination Ships

DreamCatcher Games today announced Domination, a strategy game for Windows®, is now available in North America. Domination features a renewed global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets, including sci-fi land, sea and air warfare at a grand-strategy level. The game inherits all of the remarkable features of the original game and deepens the Massive Assault player experience through increased gameplay options and new strategic challenges. "With hundreds of hours of game play and thousands of units to control, this game will keep you occupied until sometime this summer," said Byron Gaum, Product Manager … Continue reading DreamCatcher's Domination Ships