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Video GameDisney to Develop Video Game Based on ABC's "Desperate Housewives"Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 24, 2006 - 3:05am.
Burbank, Calif. - Disney's Buena Vista Games announced on Friday that it plans to publish a PC game based on the ABC TV series, "Desperate Housewives". The game will feature the voice talent of Brenda Strong in her role as deceased housewife and narrator Mary Alice Young. "This game allows players to move to Wisteria Lane and live all the gossip, drama and intrigue of a true desperate housewife," said Buena Vista Games SVP and general manager, Graham Hopper. Developed by Liquid Entertainment, the title is scheduled for release in the fall.
Video Game Voters Network Gets 10,000 Sign-Ups in First WeekAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on March 23, 2006 - 3:40am.
Washington - The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a trade group of video game publishers and developers, announced on Thursday that over 10,000 Americans joined its Video Game Voters Network in its first week of existence. The political network was established for U.S. gamers to organize and take action on policy issues affecting the video game industry, such as the recent spate of attempts to enact laws banning the sale of violent games to minors.
tags: Video Game | Sign-Ups |
Professional Video Game League Major League Gaming Raises $10 MillionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 22, 2006 - 3:46am.
New York - Major League Gaming (MLG), which bills itself as the world's first professional video game league, announced on Wednesday that it has raised $10 million in its first round of funding, from Ritchie Capital. MLG produces an annual seven-city video game tournament tour and championship, augmented by online programming showcasing MLG gamers. New York-based MLG also said that it has hired Matthew Bromberg, former general manager of Moviefone and AOL Games, as its president and COO. "From the very beginning, we've been focused on creating a great competitive experience for players and fans, and a compelling business opportunity for sponsors," said MLG co-founder and CEO Mike Sepso. "This financing will drive rapid expansion of a true media business that will package video game competition for the mass market and provide great upside for everyone who loves this industry."
Qmotions Introduces Boardsports, Bicycle Video Game ControllersAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 10, 2006 - 2:42am.
New York - Qmotions, a maker of video game accessories, on Friday introduced two new alternative video game controllers -- one for board sports, and another that converts a bicycle into a game controller. The Qmotions XBoard plugs directly into existing games consoles and is compatible with current surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and windsurfing video games, while the Qmotions Fun Fitness converts recumbent bikes into game controllers compatible with auto racing and jet skiing titles. Both devices will be available for under $100 in the spring of 2006.
"Booth Babes" Eliminated from E3 Video Game ExpoAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 25, 2006 - 9:20am.
Los Angeles - Producers of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the world's largest video game industry event held annually in Los Angeles, have announced that the sexy "booth babes" used to lure attendees to exhibitors' booths will not be allowed at this year's event in May. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), the video game trade group that organizes the show, said it would dole out a $5,000 fine on the spot to the owner of any booth that features scantily clad women. "Material, including live models, conduct that is sexually explicit and/or sexually provocative, including but not limited to nudity, partial nudity and bathing suit bottoms, are prohibited on the show floor, all common areas, and at any access points to the show," the ESA wrote in its E3 handbook. The ESA did not provide an explanation for the new rules, although lawmakers in a handful of states have recently tried to pass laws restricting the sale of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors.
Recording Artist Brandy to Appear in Video Game, Produce SoundtrackAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 25, 2006 - 9:01am.
Las Vegas - Recording artist Brandy has signed a deal to provide her voice and likeness to a video game produced by Los Angeles-based Matty/Markus Games, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Set for release in the first quarter of 2007, the as-yet-untitled game will feature an in-game soundtrack and separate CD soundtrack developed by Brandy. "An original soundtrack from artists that we build games around will be part of our release model at Matty/Markus Games," Matty/Markus founder Matty Rich told THR. The company is also collaborating with hip-hop artist the Game on a racing title for Sony's PSP handheld, slated to launch in the fall.
Report: 2005 U.S. Video Game Sales Rose 6% to Record $10.5 BillionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 17, 2006 - 3:04am.
Port Washington, N.Y. - Propped up by a strong portable games market that offset declines in the console market, U.S. retail sales of video game hardware, software and accessories grew 6% in 2005 to a record $10.5 billion, according to sales data published on Tuesday by market research firm NPD Group. Game titles for handheld consoles generated more than $1 billion for the second year in a row, while console game title sales saw a 12% decline from 2004. Sales of handheld console hardware were up 96% in 2005 -- fueled by the release of the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS -- while Nintendo's Game Boy Advance continued to lead the segment, with 64% of handheld game sales. "The real story for 2005 was the incredible expansion of portable gaming. The GBA continued to realize stellar sales, and the introduction of the DS and PSP to the market brought older gamers to the portable format," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. Strong handheld hardware sales were offset by a 3% decline in the sales of PlayStation, Xbox and GameCube consoles. The top five console/handheld game titles of 2005, ranked by units sold, were "Madden NFL 06" for PlayStation 2 (Electronic Arts); "Pokemon Emerald" for Game Boy Advance (Nintendo); "Gran Turismo 4" for PlayStation 2 (Sony Computer Entertainment); "Madden NFL 06" for Xbox (Electronic Arts); and "NCAA Football 06" for PlayStation 2 (Electronic Arts). Separately, NPD announced that U.S. PC game sales were down 14% in 2005, to $953 million. The top-selling PC games of 2005 included Vivendi's "World of Warcraft"; Electronic Arts' "The Sims 2"; and NCsoft's "Guild Wars."
Namco Networks Adds Video Game Ringtones to Download StoreAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 17, 2006 - 2:34am.
San Jose, Calif. - Namco Networks, the mobile unit of Japanese video game publisher Namco Bandai, announced on Tuesday that it has added new ringtones from games including "We Love Katamari," "Tekken," "Ace Combat" and "Time Crisis" to its Pac-Man's Arcade Corner ringtone store.
Florida Senate Takes State Video Game Sales Ban a Step Closer to LawAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 13, 2006 - 3:23am.
Tallahassee, Fla. - The state of Florida moved a step closer this week to passing a statewide ban on the sale of "ultra violent" video games to minors, with the passage of a bill in the Florida Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Services. "Left to their own devices, children often do not realize the harm they are causing themselves through the exposure to graphic sexual and violent content found in many of today's video games," said Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla, sponsor of the legislation. Lawmakers' efforts to crack down on the sale of violent games to minors have been consistently struck down as unconstitutional restrictions on First Amendment free speech rights by the courts, which have overturned similar laws in the states of Washington, California, Illinois and Michigan, as well as in St. Louis County and the city of Indianapolis, Ind. Along with Florida, lawmakers in states including Delaware, Indiana and Maryland are working to enact game sales bans. Efforts to pass a federal ban are being spearheaded by Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), who recently introduced the Family Entertainment Protection Act.
Federal Court Tosses California Ban on Violent Video Game SalesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 3, 2006 - 8:18am.
San Francisco - A federal judge has blocked enactment of California's recently passed law that bans the sale of violent video games to minors, saying the law is an unconstitutional restriction on First Amendment free speech rights. The Dec. 21 ruling from U.S. District Judge Ronald Whyte follows actions from federal courts in Illinois and Michigan to block similar video game sales bans recently passed into law in those states. The courts have also struck down bans in Washington state, the city of Indianapolis and St. Louis County, although the Supreme Court has yet to take up the matter. Judge Whyte wrote in his ruling that "games are protected by the First Amendment," and cited other rulings that found research has not established a causal connection between video game and real-world violence. "For the sixth time in five years, Federal Courts have now blocked or struck down these state and local laws seeking to regulate the sale of games to minors based on their content," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the video game trade group the Entertainment Software Association, which sued to have the laws overturned in California and the other states. "It is therefore time to look past legislation and litigation in favor of cooperative efforts to accomplish the common goal of ensuring that parents use the tools available to control the games their kids play."
Video Game Publisher Midway Games to Lay Off Up to 11% of StaffAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on December 20, 2005 - 7:16am.
Chicago - Video game publisher Midway Games, creators of the "Mortal Kombat" franchise, plans to lay off up to 11% of its global workforce, or up to 96 jobs, the company said in an SEC filing on Friday. The company said the cuts will "reduce the company's cost structure and increase product development synergy and efficiency," adding that it will incur $13 million in charges related to severance and other costs. Last week, the company shuttered its Midway Australia unit -- formerly developer Ratbag Studios -- only four months after completing the acquisition.
Video Game Ad Network Massive Signs Developer Spark UnlimitedAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on December 16, 2005 - 8:18am.
New York - Massive Incorporated, a provider of an in-game advertising network, announced on Friday that it has signed an agreement with game developer Spark Unlimited, creator of Activision's "Call of Duty" franchise. Under the deal, Spark will add several upcoming titles to the Massive Network, which inserts ads from firms including Coca-Cola, Comcast, Honda, Paramount, T-Mobile into online games from 29 publishers.
"Machinima" Film Created Using "The Movies" Video Game Draws AttentionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on December 14, 2005 - 9:47am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - A "machinima" film created within a video game that challenges players to become movie moguls and create their own movies has gained notoriety and the attention of MTV.com and The Washington Post. "The French Democracy," a film created by French designer Alex Chan using Activision and developer Lionhead Studios' "The Movies" game, documents the political situation and recent riots in France. "With The Movies we wanted to make a game that allows anyone to easily express themselves by making a short film and posting them online to share with the world," said Lionhead Studios' Peter Molyneux. "Alex's film, which is absolutely terrific, really demonstrates the potential power and impact that these films can have."
Activision Expands Video Game Deal With DreamWorks AnimationAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 16, 2005 - 4:40am.
Santa Monica, Calif. - Video game publisher Activision announced on Wednesday a new multi-year agreement with movie studio DreamWorks Animation, giving it the exclusive rights to publish games based on four new animated films. The deal also extends Activision's existing rights to "Shrek." The company will develop games based on DreamWorks Animation's upcoming films "Bee Movie," "Kung Fu Panda," "Rex Havoc" and "How to Train Your Dragon," and any sequels, as well as for "Shrek 3" and potential future "Shrek" films. Activision will also offer games based on "Over the Hedge" and "Madagascar 2," currently in production. Santa Monica, Calif.-based Activision said its games for "Shrek 2," "Shark Tale" and "Madagascar" have to date shipped a combined more than 10 million units.
MTV to Air Week of Video Game-Themed ProgramsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 15, 2005 - 6:29am.
New York - Viacom's MTV announced on Tuesday that it will broadcast a large quantity of video game-themed programming during the week of November 20th, during its first "GameORZ Week." Coinciding with the release of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox 360 video game console, and most of the new game titles that will be available to holiday shoppers, MTV programming during the week will include video game-themed episodes of "TRL" and "True Life," in addition to a broadcast of the Cyberathlete Professional League World Tour Finals and a series of MTV News specials on gaming. The programs will be spread across MTV, MTV2, mtvU, mtvU Uber, MTV.com and MTV Overdrive. "Video games are at the forefront of our audience's daily lives just like music, fashion and movies," said MTV president Christina Norman. "'GameORZ Week' will be a multiplatform entertainment experience for gamers that will showcase the touch points where music, stars, and video games intersect with youth culture."
Disney Ships "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" Video GameAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 15, 2005 - 5:09am.
Burbank, Calif. - Disney's Buena Vista Games on Tuesday announced the release of its "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" title for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and the PC. The game is based on the classic novel by C.S. Lewis and the upcoming feature film from Walt Disney Pictures, which opens in theaters on Dec. 9.
Study: Parents Agree With Video Game RatingsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 14, 2005 - 7:27am.
New York - Parents shown video footage samples of video games agreed with the industry's voluntary ratings for the games 82% of the time, while another 5% of the time they regarded the ratings as "too strict," according to a survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates on behalf of the industry's Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB), which assigns game ratings. The survey of 400 parents, culled from shopping malls in 10 U.S. cities, showed each parent footage from 8 of 80 randomly selected computer and video games that were assigned ESRB ratings within the past year. "This is a definitive assessment of agreement with the ESRB ratings because it considers the views of those who actually interact with the ratings the most, namely parents of children that play video games," said Jay Campbell, of Peter D. Hart Research Associates. "It is especially impressive that parents' level of agreement with the ratings is as broad as it is deep; parents of children of all ages agree that game ratings are accurate."
Volvo Develops Promotional Xbox Video GameAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 14, 2005 - 6:55am.
Irvine, Calif. - Swedish automaker Volvo announced on Monday that it commissioned the development of an Xbox video game title to promote its vehicle line. In addition to a racing segment featuring Volvo vehicles, the game also includes videos related to the cars' safety features. The company partnered with Euro RSCG 4D and Kirt Gunn & Associates on the game's concept; the title was developed by Climax Action, published by Microsoft, and will be available at Volvo retailers nationwide.
Judge Halts Michigan Video Game Law, Pans Violence-Link ResearchAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 10, 2005 - 8:29am.
Detroit - A federal judge has temporarily halted enactment of a recently passed law in Michigan that prohibits the sale or rental of violent video games to minors, while a lawsuit filed by the video game industry to overturn the law is heard in court. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge George Steeh said Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the state are unlikely to win the lawsuit, filed by the Entertainment Software Association, adding that the "loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury." The judge also stated that the research presented by the state, which purports to link violent games and aggressive behavior -- the same research relied upon in crafting similar laws in California and Illinois -- was unpersuasive and insufficient. Courts have routinely overturned similar video game sales restrictions on First Amendment grounds in Washington state, St. Louis County and the city of Indianapolis. "We are gratified that Judge Steeh has issued this preliminary injunction and in so doing has suggested that the arguments and research relied on by Governor Granholm and the Legislature are weak and unpersuasive," said ESA president Doug Lowenstein. The ESA has also filed suit to overturn the video game sales restrictions recently enacted in California and Illinois.
THQ Ships "Nicktoons Unite!" Video GameAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 28, 2005 - 3:28am.
Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ on Friday shipped its "Nicktoons Unite!" title for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance to retailers. A part of THQ's licensing agreement with children's cable TV network Nickelodeon, which has sold 16 million games to date, the game features Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Jimmy Neutron and Danny Phantom.
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