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 →

Celeris Inc., a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced the release of its critically acclaimed simulation software Virtual Pool Mobile for Palm PDAs using the Palm OS 5. Now available for $19.95 on the web at http://celeris.com/games/VPMobile, the company also announced that Virtual Pool Mobile would soon be available for the Dell X50v and Nokia Series 60 PDAs. Virtual Pool Mobile was recently nominated by Pocket PC magazine for the 2005 Best Software Award in the "Simulations" category for both the Pocket PC and the Smartphone. "For over a decade, Virtual Pool has been the standard by … Continue reading Virtual Pool Jumps To PDA →

Gizmondo Europe Ltd subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc (other OTC, TGTL), has rescheduled the launch of the Gizmondo multi-entertainment handheld in North America from its original 11th August street date in favor of targeting the more active fourth quarter sales period commencing in October. Two USA-specific pieces of software in development had originally prompted a summer launch. A much anticipated satellite navigation package utilizing the unique GPS functionality, and, an as yet unannounced highly significant game title for the North American market, have been subject to short delays. Consultation with US retailers has influenced the move to a … Continue reading Gizmondo Launch Delayed →

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, announced today that it has acquired Ratbag Holdings Pty Ltd., a game development studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. Midway acquired the privately-held developer in a primarily stock transaction for 418,570 Midway shares. The studio is currently working on several unannounced Midway products for both current- and next-generation systems. The studio will be renamed Midway Studios – Australia. Midway’s President and Chief Executive Officer David F. Zucker commented, "This transaction is consistent with our strategy of adding depth to our internal product development organization and strengthening our ability to … Continue reading Midway Gets Ratbag →

Electronic Arts announced today that it has signed Maria Menounos to star in their upcoming video game, From Russia With Love. Lending her voice and likeness to the game, Menunous will appear alongside Sir Sean Connery, reprising his role as James Bond. The game, which is based on the famous Bond movie, will be released worldwide in fall 2005. From Russia With Love is currently under development and is scheduled for a simultaneous release on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube. "I am honored to be a Bond girl and be … Continue reading Maria Menounos In From Russia With Love →

Bold Games, a division of Destineer Publishing Corp., is once again partnering with Gabriel Interactive to offer two new John Deere games for Windows and Macintosh computers. Bold Games' new Welcome to Merriweather Farm game shows Johnny Tractor and his friends plowing, harvesting, and taking care of the animals on the farm, while Busy Days in Deerfield Valley features Danny Dozer, Barney Backhoe and friends hard at work digging, lifting, and helping out around town. The games are based on Welcome to Merriweather Farm and Busy Days in Deerfield Valley, books created and produced by Parachute Publishing LLC (available from … Continue reading John Deere Makes New Games →

Matrix Games will be present at the World Boardgaming Championships 2005 this year in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from August 3rd through August 7th. We will be attending both as gamers and as vendors. If you want to play against us, show up early and seek us out. As the convention progresses, we will have a demo and sales area to show off our games. An amazing line-up of new games, demos and previews will be available for gamers to enjoy. If you're going to be there, you won't want to miss us! We're looking forward to meeting you, hearing your suggestions, … Continue reading Matrix Games Visits Board Game Con →