PSP and the Games People Play
Janet Hetherington takes a look at Sonys new PlayStation Portable and the challenges of creating big games for the small screen.
Tagged With: Games
Buena Vista Games Acquires Avalanche Software, Launches New Studio
Buena Vista Games Inc. (BVG) announced two major business deals to strengthen the company's internal game development capabilities and further its goals of becoming a top tier publisher of handheld and console games. The deals include the acquisition of acclaimed Salt Lake City-based videogame developer, Avalanche Software Lc. and the establishment of a start-up development studio in Vancouver, Canada, led by former Electronic Arts Canada senior development and business staff.
Buena Vista Opens Dead Man’s Chest with Pirates 2 Games
Buena Vista Games Inc. (BVG) announced the development of new videogame titles based on the highly anticipated feature film, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, scheduled for release in summer 2006. Building on the popularity of its successful portable games business, BVG will release games for the PSP and Nintendo DS in conjunction with the movie launch.
In Interactive, Visual Effects, Games, Interactive, Visual Effects | Headline News | Geographic Region: All
Advertising In Games Forum
Begins: April 14, 2005
The Game Initiative will host the Advertising in Games Forum in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Advertising in Games Forum is the first event of its kind focused solely on understanding the factors surrounding the important and rapidly emerging market for placing advertising in videogames.
Digital Jesters Strikes North American Distribution Deal With Take-Two
Digital Jesters, a videogame publisher based in England, announced that it has reached an agreement with Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. to distribute PC games in America and Canada.
Digital Jesters was formed by ex-members of CDV in September 2003 and has since published more than 12 PC titles in the U.K. and parts of Europe. The games that are part of the agreement will be the first titles Digital Jesters has published in the U.S.
Avid Kicks-Off ‘SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool Lock & Load’ Challenge
Avid Technology Inc. announced the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool Lock & Load Challenge. The challenge sponsored in part by HP, NVIDIA and Gamedev.net gives gamers the opportunity to win more than $25,000US in prizes for developing mods modified content for popular video games using the SOFTIMAGE|XSI Mod Tool v4.2, the freely available version of the companys professional 3D animation software.
In Event, Machinima, Visual Effects, Event, Machinima, Visual Effects | Headline News | Special Events: SIGGRAPH | Geographic Region: All
Fuel Industries & Alter Ego Studios Ink Development Alliances With Game Trust
Game Trust, the leading platform developer to manage premium casual games, announced development alliances with two of the hottest independent game development studios in the world Fuel Industries and Alter Ego Studios. These announcements follow the deals being inked at GDC.
Microsoft Reveals First Details of Next-Generation Xbox
Microsoft Corp. announced the first details of its next-generation Xbox video game system platform at GDC, highlighting how hardware, software and services are being fused to power enhanced game and entertainment experiences.
Microsoft corporate vp and chief XNA architect J Allard further outlined the companys 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-def.
Disney Interactive Announces Narnia Games
Disney Interactive announced new details about its upcoming action/adventure title, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, for the PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox, Nintendo GameCub, 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.
Game Developers Conference 2005
Begins: March 7, 2005
The 19th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the official trade event "by game developers for developers" of computer, console, mobile, arcade, online games and location-based entertainment. It's the forum where programmers, artists, producers, game designers, audio professionals and others involved in the development of interactive games gather to exchange ideas, network, and shape the future of the industry. The GDC features more than 300 lectures, panels, tutorials and round-table discussions on a comprehensive selection of game development topics taught by leading industry experts.
E10+ Rating Added to ESRB System
A new videogame rating category, E10+ (Everyone 10 and older), was introduced by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), to help consumers more easily differentiate between games that have content appropriate for the whole family and games that are suitable for ages 10 and older.
Cartoon Network Launches 2nd Project Goldmaster
Cartoon Network will offer one up-and-coming game developer the opportunity to create a downloadable game featuring popular Cartoon Network characters from its series in the second annual 'Project Goldmaster' competition. As part of the Independent Games Festival (IGF), 10 finalists will be selected to compete to win the top honor to develop an online game for CartoonNetwork.com's Power Play Games area.
JAKKS Pacific Expands WB & Nick Offerings
JAKKS Pacific Inc. announced an expanded licensing agreement with Nickelodeon and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
JAKKS Pacific Introduces GAMEKEY Expansion Pack
JAKKS Pacific Inc. introduces the GAMEKEY expansion pack, the new next-generation innovation for its award-winning plug-it-in and play TV Games product line. GAMEKEY expansion pack offers users the opportunity to add extra games made specifically for their favorite TV Games controllers.
Buena Vista Games Names New Director, Business Development & Production
Bob Picunko has been promoted to director, business development and production for Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Co.
Reporting to Michael Ryder, vp of worldwide production for BVG, Picunko will be responsible for strengthening relationships with videogame developers and content creators as well as focus on assessing new game concepts for the company and drive the process of identifying, developing and growing new strategic business relationships with independent developers.
'The Art of Oddworld Inhabitants: The First Ten Years 1994-2004'
Peter Plantec contributes to the Digital Eye column this month with a riff on the wizardry of previs.
Fox Expands Family Guy Product Lineup
Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising announced the expansion of the thriving FAMILY GUY licensing and merchandising program through two new agreements with videogame industry giant Take-Two Interactive Software and wireless content leader Airborne Ent. Take-Two has the rights to produce all-new videogames for multiple platforms under the 2K Games label, while Airborne Ent. will introduce new mobile phone content.
The G.A.M.E.S. Synergy Summit
Begins: January 26, 2005
The G.A.M.E.S. Synergy Summit brings together forward thinkers and doers from the government, academia, military, entertainment and simulation fields to focus on the convergence of interactive games, immersive entertainment and simulation techniques and technologies. Researchers, developers, users and policy makers from these synergistic sectors will together explore beneficial uses of these technologies in a variety of potential non-entertainment applications for educational and medical institutions, governments, militaries and commercial entities.
From On-Air to Online and Back Again
Karen Raugust looks at how networks and studios look to the Web to support on-air programming, enhance their brands and generate revenues.
Sony Animated Features Set for Ubisoft Videogames
Videogame publisher Ubisoft has signed a deal with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to publish games based on the first two 3D animated films from Sony Pictures Animation, OPEN SEASON and SURFS UP. It marks the first in a long-term interactive collaboration, as well as Ubisofts first foray into adapting CGI films. Terms were not disclosed.
Both games will be developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio, with OPEN SEASON scheduled for a September 2006 release and SURF'S UP slated for summer 2007.
The BIG C - the BAWLS Independent Game Competition
Begins: January 21, 2005
BAWLS Guarana, a favorite high caffeine soft drink among gamers, and The Slamdance Film Festival have created The BIG C - the BAWLS Independent Game Competition - to help aspiring game developers showcase their work in a national competition. Presented by Slamdance, The Big C is calling for entries of all new games from emerging talent. Selected games will compete at The Slamdance Film Festival and will be judged by festival attendees, with a Jury Award and Audience Award that include cash and prizes presented at the end of the festival.
Vivendi Universal Games & EA Join Blu-ray Disc Assoc.
Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) and Electronic Arts have joined the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA). Having these two leaders in multi-platform interactive entertainment strengthens support for the Blu-ray Disc high-definition optical-disc format among the world's leading gaming, consumer electronics, PC and entertainment companies.
THX to Demonstrate Visual EQ Technology at CES
THX Ltd. announced that it will be demonstrating a new visual equalization (EQ) technology for videogame consoles at CES. The technology was created to enhance how gamers experience the visual quality of games content played on their favorite console. Demonstrations will be available to the public at booth # 20533 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center during regular exhibit hours.
7th Annual Independent Games Festival Names Finalists
The Independent Games Festival has announced the finalists in the seventh annual Independent Games Festival (IGF) competition. Selected by a panel of industry professionals, game development teams will compete for more than $40,000 in cash prizes. Finalists will exhibit their titles at the Game Developers Conference, March 7-11, 2005 in San Francisco and winners will be announced at the Game Developers Choice Awards Ceremony March 9.
The 10 games selected for the "Open" category are (in alphabetical order):* ALIEN HOMINID by The Behemoth (San Diego, California)
Rockstar Games Announces Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas For Xbox & PC
Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., has announced that GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS is making its way to the Xbox and PC. Developed by designers Rockstar North, GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS for the Xbox and PC will be in stores in North America on June 7, 2005 and in Europe on June 10, 2005.
