>
March 19, 2008
New Halo 3 maps coming
Virtual Worlds, Ion combine
Flashman in my pocket
FLASHMAN STUDIOS TEAMS WITH
LICENSING WORKS, LLC TO LICENSE VIDEOGAMES FOR MEG’S IN MY POCKET™
FRANCHISE
Publisher Sought to Help Bring
Worldwide, Popular IP to the Videogame Universe
San Francisco, California – March 19,
2008 – Flashman Studios, a leading business management firm in the
interactive entertainment industry, announced today that it has teamed
with Licensing Works, the worldwide licensing agent for MEG’s “In My
Pocket™” intellectual property (IP), to license the property for
videogames. Licensing Works manages rights for MEG, a product development,
manufacturing and licensing company specializing in children’s character
lines, toys and licenses. Licensing Works is working with Flashman Studios
to look for a videogame publisher to partner on all future “In My Pocket”
videogames.
“Flashman, an industry veteran with
comprehensive connections and a proven track record, will be tremendously
valuable in exposing opportunities for the In My Pocket IP,” said Leslie
Levine, President of Licensing Works. “Previous experience with Flashman
on other IPs proved their expertise in the interactive space and will be
invaluable in paving the way for the millions of ‘In My Pocket’ fans
worldwide to interact with their favorite characters in a whole new way.”
In My Pocket is the popular series of
collectible toy figures known and loved by kids worldwide. Beginning with
the “Monster In My Pocket®” media franchise in the early 1990s that
spawned trading cards, comic books, collectible figures, books and a video
game, MEG went on to create the “Puppy In My Pocket®,” “Kitty In My
Pocket®,” “Jungle In My Pocket®” and “Pony In My Pocket®”
series of toys and collectibles. Collectively, the “In My Pocket”
franchise garnered over $150 million in worldwide retail in 2007 alone.
Now licensed for toy distribution in over 50 countries, the In My Pocket
franchise is poised for exponential growth.
“Children around the world already
have a strong emotional attachment with the ‘In My Pocket’ brands,”
said Brad Young, CEO of Flashman Studios. “MEG has a proven winner on
its hands with ‘In My Pocket,’ and we can’t wait to work with a
dedicated publisher to bring this beloved franchise to gamers across the
world.”
MEG has enjoyed substantial success with
its various “In My Pocket” franchises. “Monster In My Pocket®”
was a successful Boys toy brand for Matchbox, Tyco and Vivid from 1991
through 1995, with over 200 different figures sold in continually
refreshed series and a variety of themes. “Puppy In My Pocket®,” “Kitty
In My Pocket®,” “Pony In My Pocket®” and “Teddy My Pocket®”
were successful Girls brands for Vivid and Hasbro from 1994-1999. “Monster
In My Pocket®” was actively licensed worldwide from 1990-1996 with 90
different licenses in all product categories, and “Puppy In My Pocket®”
was actively licensed on a worldwide basis from 1993-1997 with 40
different licenses in most major product categories.
ABOUT FLASHMAN STUDIOS: Flashman Studios
represents game developers and intellectual property in the interactive
entertainment industry with a particular focus on the videogame market.
Flashman Studios offers clients a wide range of expertise, including
corporate strategy, sales, marketing, public relations, business
development, corporate finance and mergers/acquisitions by utilizing the
strength of a team-based approach and strong industry relationships. For
more information on Flashman Studios please visit: www.flashmanstudios.com
ABOUT MEG: MEG is an El Segundo,
California-based product development, manufacturing and licensing company,
specializing in children’s character lines, toys and licenses. In
addition to Puppy, Kitty, Jungle and Monster In My Pocket, some of MEG’s
other innovative brands include Stink Blasters®, Scent Stars® and Scent
Stars Wearables.®, which have been licensed and distributed in over 40
countries worldwide. For more information about MEG, please visit:
www.megtoys.com
ABOUT LICENSING WORKS: Licensing Works,
LLC (dba Licensing Works!) is a licensing and promotions company founded
in 2007 by Leslie Levine. Licensing Works consults for select clients and
manages their licensing and promotional activities worldwide. Clients
include SL Productions, LLC, headed by producer and entrepreneur Sheryl
Leach, creator of Barney. Licensing Works represents the worldwide
licensing rights (excluding Italy, the UK, Eire, Singapore and Malaysia)
to one of the world’s fastest growing toy brands, Puppy In My Pocket®.
The In My Pocket brand is owned by MEG, a California-based product
development, manufacturing and licensing company specializing in
children's character lines, toys and licenses. For more information about
Licensing Works, please visit: http://www.licensingworks.us
Virtual Worlds Partners With
Evergreen Events and ION
SEATTLE, WA, March 19, 2008 – Evergreen Events, the agency behind the
first-class ION Game Conference, is delighted to announce a partnership
with the pioneering industry organization for online virtual worlds, the
Association of Virtual Worlds. The Association for Virtual Worlds is an
800 member-strong-and-growing online network of executives, vendors,
partners, producers, and users from the virtual worlds community.
This partnership incorporates
co-promotion and support in effectively addressing virtual worlds
challenges and opportunities through online and real-world channels. The
Association of Virtual Worlds is officially partnered for the 2008 ION
Game Conference. As a partner, members of the Association of Virtual
Worlds will receive an exclusive $75 discount to attend the 2008 ION Game
Conference.
"Virtual worlds are an important
and growing part of the online game development community. I feel this
partnership gives peers new avenues within online games, virtual worlds
and social networking to connect with each other. The ION Game Conference
is a real world venue for what the Association of Virtual Worlds does
online. There's a lot possibilities within this partnership to
explore," said Cynthia Freese, CEO of Evergreen Events and Executive
Director of the ION Game Conference.
"It is a pleasure to be so closely
linked to ION as it is my belief that virtual worlds and games are part of
the exciting future of the Internet," stated Edita Kaye, Founder of
the Association for Virtual Worlds.
"I am thrilled that the Association
is partnering with the ION Game Conference. As the Association seeks to
establish itself as an important forum in the industry and for outreach,
working together with leaders like Cynthia Freese and her team is
critical. We look forward to a great event in May," added Dave
Elchoness, Executive Director of the Association of Virtual Worlds.
"As a developer and advisory board
member for the Association of Virtual Worlds I am extremely excited with
the partnership with Evergreen Events and the ION Game Conference,"
said David E. Wisotzky, President/CEO of Xivio LLC. "With ION's focus
on 'redefining online' and Cynthia, Edita and Dave's vision, this
partnership will surely help take virtual worlds to the next level. This
partnership will definitely forge business relationships that will
last."
The ION Game Conference is an annual
game industry event designed for an international attendee audience, for
those who strive to network and learn about new online game development
and business trends, at the highest level. Visit the official website
http://www.ionconference.com for the latest news and information about the
ION Game Conference. To review the global and diversified advisory board
supporting the ION Game Conference, visit http://www.ionconference.com/advisors.html.
To keep informed about the latest news about ION and the online game
industry, sent straight to your e-mail Inbox, sign up for the "ION
Connection" newsletter here: http://www.ionconference.com/signup.html.
ION is Powered By:
2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE SPONSORS:
BigWorld, Dolby, Enterprise Seattle, Goodwin Procter, Kelley Drye, Omni
Interactive Audio, Parature, PlaySpan, PLAYXPERT, PowerUp Games, Solid
State Networks, Sony Online Entertainment and Vivox.
2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE PARTNERS:
Association of Virtual Worlds, China GC Networks, MPOGD, Pearl Research
and Themis Group
About the Association of Virtual Worlds
The Association of Virtual Worlds believes that virtual worlds represent a
major information and technological revolution in how we work, play and
live. The Association mission is to serve those companies and individuals
who are dedicated to the advancement of this multi-billion dollar global
industry and reach out to those who have not yet found virtual worlds.
About Evergreen Events Evergreen Events,
Inc., (http://www.evergreenevents.org/), is a Seattle area-based producer
of conferences and events for the interactive entertainment industry.
Evergreen Events is dedicated to the enrichment of both established and
aspiring professionals through innovative first-class events offering
exceptional content that is compelling, educational, and cogent. Our
directors and advisors bring over a century of collective successful
experience and involvement in the game industry.
The Fight Continues - Halo 3
Legendary Map Pack Arrives in April
The award-winning “Halo 3”
multiplayer experience continues to evolve with three new maps available
only on Xbox LIVE Marketplace
More than 7.3 million copies of “Halo
3” have flown off store shelves, upwards of 500 million hours of
frag-tacular online gameplay have been logged on Xbox LIVE and the Heroic
Map Pack has been downloaded by 1 million plus gamers and counting. But it’s
not over yet…
Microsoft and Bungie today announced
that April 15 will mark the release of the next wave of “Halo 3”
downloadable content. Available exclusively on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for
800 Microsoft Points, the Legendary Map Pack will introduce three new maps
to the title’s award-winning multiplayer experience, Ghost Town,
Avalanche, and one map yet to be revealed. And with the addition of some
exciting Forge options, fans can explore new ways to create and share
their custom “Halo 3” content.
Ghost Town is a battle-scarred maze of
narrow passages and dangerous ruins outside the once-prosperous city of
Voi. Collapsed ceilings and shell-battered buildings provide both valuable
cover and deadly traps, as catwalks and stairways take the fight from
claustrophobic ground combat to dizzying rooftop battles. Ghost Town is a
mid-sized map ideal for Team Slayer games and smaller, objective types.
The second map, Avalanche, is a tribute
to Sidewinder, a “Halo: Combat Evolved” fan-favorite. This massive,
vehicle-oriented objective map adds a twist to its classic predecessor
with all new interiors, dramatically reshaped exteriors and brand new
vehicle variants. Take a ride and admire the visual variety from the
cockpit of the retuned Hornet.
The third map to be included in the
Legendary Pack has yet to be announced, but stay tuned to Bungie.net for
full details on another returning classic… fans of smaller Slayer maps,
it’s time to get excited.
Be sure to check out www.xbox.com and
www.bungie.net for all the latest information and screenshots of the new
maps.
> March 18, 2008
Rainbow Six Vegas 2 ships
Hot Shots Golf tees PS3
Sony's Singstar enters 90's
Atlus enters Summon Night
ATLUS CONJURES SUMMON NIGHT: TWIN
AGE(TM) FOR NINTENDO DS(TM)
Unsheathe Your Stylus and Vanquish the
Enemy this May 20th
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18th, 2008 -
Atlus U.S.A., Inc., a top 5 publisher in 2007 for overall game review
scores*, today announced Summon Night: Twin Age for Nintendo DS, a fully
stylus-driven action RPG set in the popular Summon Night universe. The
stylus is your key to the world of Clardona, whether as your swinging
sword or your shimmering wall of fire. Summon Night: Twin Age is currently
scheduled to bring its precise controls, beautifully animated graphics,
and addictive action RPG gameplay to the Nintendo DS on May 20th.
About Summon Night: Twin Age From a very
young age, the human girl Reiha displayed great aptitude for the magical
art of Summoning. While still a child, her powers caused a terrible
accident during a major Summoning experiment. It was reported that Reiha
had died as result, but she survived, along with a young Summon Beast
named Aldo that had been pulled into her world...
Following the accident, the two children
grew up together as brother and sister on the tropical island of Jarazi,
among a race of people with beast-like features. There they learned to
commune with the Nature Spirits that surrounded them. One day, the Spirits
began acting strangely, prompting Reiha and Aldo to investigate. Their
quest to find out who or what is behind the corruption of the Spirits will
lead them back to the human lands where the cataclysm first brought them
together…
Key Features - High-precision stylus
control - Unleash the power of your Nintendo DS as you wield your stylus
to attack foes, heal allies, and use items. Navigate your way around menus
and maps with a responsive touch-based interface. - Packed with gameplay
features - Immerse yourself in a lavish gaming experience that lets you do
battle, collect items, craft weapons, earn and improve skills, conjure
beasts, build relationships with party members, trade items via local
wireless, and much more. - Choose the way you play - With alternate story
paths, loads of battle options, side quests, and multiple ending
sequences, there is a wide variety of ways to play. Replay the game and
challenge yourself with extra dungeons. - Richly woven tale of adventure -
Two playable characters and several widely varying party members provide
different views of your journey through the world of Summon Night.
Summon Night: Twin Age has been rated
E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) with Mild Fantasy Violence and Mild
Suggestive Themes by the ESRB.
About Atlus U.S.A., Inc. Located in
Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is a publisher
of compelling video games for a variety of platforms, including Nintendo
DS(TM), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Wii(TM), Xbox 360(TM), and
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The Atlus library of
critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center
series, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, and the award-winning Shin Megami
Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.
(C) FLIGHT-PLAN SUMMON NIGHT (R) TWIN
AGE &(C) 2007 NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. Published and distributed by
Atlus USA
Hot Shots Golf(R): Out of Bounds
Hits the Fairways and Swings Into Action on PLAYSTATION(R)3
Acclaimed Hot Shots Franchise Makes
Official PS3(TM) Debut Featuring An Innovative Swing Mechanic, Stunning
Graphics, And Engaging Multiplayer Options
FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/
-- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the
North American release of Hot Shots Golf(R): Out of Bounds, available
exclusively for PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)). Developed by Clap Hanz, in
conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, Santa
Monica Studio, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds takes the multi-million
unit-selling Hot Shots Golf(R) franchise and tees off on PS3 for the first
time. As the latest entry in this unique golf series, Hot Shots Golf: Out
of Bounds maintains its signature over-the-top visuals and realistic golf
physics while adding larger and more detailed courses, more extensive
multiplayer options including 50 player tournaments, and an advanced shot
mechanic that requires players to carefully monitor the swing motion of
each character.
Available post launch, Hot Shots Golf:
Out of Bounds will offer consumers a host of downloadable content,
including access to match and stroke play modes. Additionally, new courses
and characters will become available for purchase over the coming months.
"Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds truly offers a golf experience for
everyone, striking a balance between the wacky Hot Shots universe and
realistic golfing action that can only be delivered on PS3," said
Jeff Reese, director, software marketing, SCEA. "From its intuitive
controls, to brilliant graphics, to robust online functionality, Hot Shots
Golf: Out of Bounds delivers the most entertaining and quirky golf gaming
experience available." In this brand new chapter of the Hot Shots
Golf franchise, gamers have the opportunity to compete with others around
the world by participating in sprawling multiplayer Real Tournaments
boasting up to 50 players per round. Golfers looking for a more intimate
match can engage in online New Real Format, where up to eight players can
compete for the top spot.
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds also
offers a brand new online lobby where fellow golfers can create customized
avatars with more than 300 different options while chatting with each
other before joining a game. Best of all, with the real-time stat tracking
system, online golfers can see how they measure up with other Hot Shot
golfers around the world. Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds delivers new
courses that take the virtual greens to beautiful and dramatic locations
throughout the world including links along the coast, in the woods,
through mountain ranges, and in the African savannah. Each 18 hole
configuration showcases pitch-and-putt par threes all the way to
challenging par five holes, and the courses are expanded and customized to
offer larger playable environments, allowing clever golfers to utilize the
entire course and neighboring fairways when strategically placing follow
up shots. Additionally, Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds unveils an Advanced
Shot system that requires players to focus on their character's motions
rather than a power meter.
The Advanced Shot mechanic provides a
more realistic experience, as players must monitor both takeaway and
impact zone while taking into account distance, club selection, ball lie,
and weather. True to the spirit of the Hot Shots Golf franchise, Hot Shots
Golf: Out of Bounds features 15 playable characters and six caddies, each
sporting their own distinct look and personality. Each character can be
customized in a variety of clothing options while gamers will monitor a
range of player attributes including power, control, and accuracy. Also,
single-player modes such as Challenge, Stroke, and Training, along with
multi-player modes such as Tournament and Match Play, are available to
create a more diverse golfing experience each time players hit the links.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) rating for Hot
Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is "E" for "Everyone." For
more information about the ESRB visit http://www.esrb.org. For more
information about Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds, please visit http://www.hotshotsgolf.com
About Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to
redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R)
game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, and the
ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system
and its online and network services PLAYSTATION(R)Network and
PLAYSTATION(R)Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of
products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for
the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system,
the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in
Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as
headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Visit us on the Web at
http://www.us.playstation.com
PLAYSTATION, PlayStation, PSP, PS one
and the PlayStation logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. PS3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is a trademark of Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. (c) 2008 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
TOM CLANCY'S RAINBOW SIX® VEGAS 2
NOW AVAILABLE IN RETAIL STORES
SAN FRANCISCO — MARCH 18, 2008 —
Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced
that Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 for the Xbox 360® video game and
entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer
entertainment system has shipped to retail stores and is now available for
an MSRP of $59.99. Developed by Ubisoft's award-winning Montreal studio,
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the follow up to the highly successful
and award-winning Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six® Vegas 2 is
the last chance for gamers to rescue Sin City from an escalating terrorist
siege, and will impose heart-pounding action from beginning to end. The
best are back and this time winner takes all. The highly anticipated
sequel to the recipient of numerous awards, including 2006's Best First
Person Shooter and Best Online Game (Xbox LIVE®), Tom Clancy's Rainbow
Six® Vegas 2 will push the top-selling franchise to new heights with new
gameplay features and groundbreaking co-op and multiplayer modes.
Product Highlights: • More Multiplayer
– The highly acclaimed multiplayer mode in Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six®
Vegas has been upgraded to include 13 new maps with more intense
face-offs, two new adversarial modes, more rewards and easier access to
matches using the improved and intuitive matchmaking system. •
Unprecedented Customizable Experience – Create your own identity that
persists through both the single player and multiplayer modes and
progresses along with you online and offline. Reap the benefits of your
single player rewards in multiplayer, and vice versa. • Vastly Improved
Co-op Mode – Turn single player mode into co-op mode at any time
seamlessly with join in progress. Now a friend can jump your story
campaign and assist without any change to the story. The single player
maps and storyline were created with co-op in mind, with every map having
multiple entry points • Challenging AI – The AI is more challenging
than ever. Now, the terrorists are equipped with thermal vision, night
vision and shields – not to mention a multitude of varying tactics –
all of which are guaranteed to give you a new playing experience every
time you go into battle. As you progress within the game, you'll be able
to outsmart your enemies by taking advantage of intelligence
opportunities, such as using thermal scan. • New Weapons and Armor –
Take down the terrorists more effectively using 11 new weapons. New
camouflage, clothing and gear allow for the ultimate customizations. •
More Vegas – Sin City is back and bigger than before. Explore all-new
Vegas hot spots and gritty back streets, creating a visual experience that
is as challenging as it is breathtaking.
About Ubisoft Ubisoft is a leading
producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products
worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified
line-up of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 23 countries
and sales in more than 50 countries around the globe. It is committed to
delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For
the 2007-08 fiscal year Ubisoft forecasts generated sales of 875 million
Euros. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Tom Clancy With more than 80
million books sold, Tom Clancy is arguably the world's most recognized
author. His works include fiction such as The Hunt for Red October, Clear
and Present Danger, The Sum of All Fears, Rainbow Six, Without Remorse and
The Teeth of the Tiger. Clancy also writes nonfiction works about weapons
and various military units. Four of his books have already been adapted
into highly successful feature films.
© 2008 Ubisoft Entertainment. All
Rights Reserved. Persistent Elite Creation, Ubisoft, the Ubisoft logo,
Ubi.com, and the Soldier Icon are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in
the U.S. and/or other countries. Rainbow Six, Red Storm and Red Storm logo
are trademarks of Red Storm Entertainment in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Red Storm Entertainment, Inc. is a Ubisoft Entertainment
company. "PlayStation”, "PLAYSTATION” and "PS” Family
logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Vista start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox
LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies.
Sony Computer Entertainment
America Continues to Grow PlayStation(R)2 Social Gaming Library With
SingStar '90s
From Grunge Rock to Boy Bands, Fifth
Installment in the Party Favorite Franchise Features Artists MC Hammer,
Nirvana, Sir Mix A Lot, New Kids on the Block and more
FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/
-- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the
release of SingStar(TM) '90s, the latest installment in the ever growing
multi-million selling SingStar(TM) franchise, available exclusively for
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. Developed by Sony
Computer Entertainment Europe's Worldwide Studios, London Studio, SingStar
'90s brings a hit list of Grunge, R&B, Rap and Pop music from artists
that defined the decade including Paula Abdul, En Vogue, Vanilla Ice, Boyz
II Men, Nirvana and more. Available both as a stand-alone disc and
packaged with two high-quality USB microphones, the addition of SingStar
'90s as the fifth installment to the SingStar catalogue provides
PlayStation(R) fans with over 150 chart-topping songs and music videos to
sing, compete and have fun with friends and family. Players can easily
access any of the song lists while playing from SingStar '90s, SingStar(TM)
Rocks!, SingStar(TM) Pop, SingStar(TM) '80s, or SingStar(TM) Amped with
the disc swap feature which allows for seamless transition between
titles.
"The SingStar franchise has been instrumental in making PlayStation 2
a social entertainment hub in the home. SingStar '90s will build on this
success and provide fans with the songs and videos that made boy bands and
flannel shirts all the rage," said Jeff Reese, director, software
marketing, SCEA. "This year will be landmark for SingStar as we
continue to deliver compelling content on PlayStation 2 while also
revolutionizing the franchise as we bring it to PlayStation 3 on May 20 by
giving players access to purchase hundreds of songs and videos across
multiple genres, build and customize party playlists, and build a
community of user-created performances." Regardless of music or
gaming ability, aspiring rock stars can select from 30 hit songs to sing
along with while watching the actual music video on screen. Performing to
such crowd pleasing favorites as "U Can't Touch This",
"Pump up the Jam", and "Ice Ice Baby", players can
take their turn in the spotlight solo-style or share the spotlight with
multiplayer modes, including cooperative Duet Mode, one-on-one Battle
Mode, and the team-based Pass-the-Mic which accommodates up to eight
players. In addition, SingStar '90s is compatible with the popular
EyeToy(R) USB camera which allows players to watch themselves belt it out
as the main act and record their performance for playback. Players can
also save their favorite vocal performances onto a Memory Card for future
audio playback and customize and enhance playback with numerous effects.
SCEA will support SingStar '90s with a media advertising campaign, full
promotional support including in-store demonstrations, retailer supported
Social Gaming Areas, merchandising support, broad-based public relations
support, and an immersive and interactive SingStar website at http://www.us.playstation.com/singstar/.
The independent Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) has rated
SingStar '90s "T" for "Teen". For more information
about the ESRB, please visit www.esrb.org.
About Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to
redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R)
game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, the
ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system
and its online and network services PLAYSTATION(R)Network and
PLAYSTATION(R)Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of
products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the
PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system,
PLAYSTATION 3 and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in
Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as
headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
> March 17, 2008
Xbox Arcade price drops
Ion early registration looms
Last Chance to Fly With the Early
Bird Registration Rate for ION
SEATTLE, Washington, March 17, 2008 – Less than one day remains to save
hundreds of dollars to attend one of the most high-powered, exclusive game
industry conferences you'll find on the calendar this year - the 2008 ION
Game Conference. Taking place in Seattle, WA, from May 13-15, this year's
ION Game Conference is geared to compellingly engage representatives
involved in the business and development of online games, virtual worlds
and social networks across all platforms.
By purchasing a pass before March 18th,
attendees can save about 30% off the subsequent rate and have access to
every one of the nearly 70 peer-reviewed lectures and panels, every
gourmet snack and meal break, and just about every other benefit the ION
Game Conference features. From the dozens of speakers ION participants
will enjoy, these are six of the latest to officially be announced:
Bruce Woodcock — MMOG Analyst,
MMOGCHART.COM Dana Hanna — Senior Producer, Microsoft Game Studios Jason
Roberts — Lead Gameplay Designer, 38 Studios Sam Lewis — Lead
Designer, Cartoon Network Robert Ferrari — Vice President of Business
Development, Turbine, Inc. Steven Klebe — VP, Sales & BD, Danal,
Inc. (BilltoMobile.com) Above and beyond the savings guaranteed by
registering early for ION, The Seattle Marriott Waterfront hotel, the site
for the 2008 ION Conference and official event activities, is offering a
special discounted rate for attendees of $209 for single or double
occupancy. This rate is only available until April 14, 2008 and hotel
rates will then be subject to market rates thereafter.
The ION Game Conference is an annual
game industry event designed for an international attendee audience, for
those who strive to network and learn about new online game development
and business trends, at the highest level. Visit the official website
http://www.ionconference.com for the latest news and information about the
2008 ION Game Conference. To review the global and diversified advisory
board supporting the ION Game Conference, visit http://www.ionconference.com/advisors.html.
To keep informed about the latest news
about ION and the online game industry, sent straight to your e-mail
Inbox, sign up for the free ION Connection newsletter at http://www.ionconference.com/signup.html.
To network and share news with fellow members of the online game
development community, join up with the ION Network here: http://ionnetwork.ning.com.
ION is Powered By:
2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE SPONSORS:
BigWorld, Dolby, Enterprise Seattle, Goodwin Proctor, Kelley Drye, Omni
Interactive Audio, Parature, PlaySpan, PLAYXPERT, PowerUp Games, Solid
State Networks, Sony Online Entertainment and Vivox.
2008 ION GAME CONFERENCE PARTNERS:
Association of Virtual Worlds, China GC Networks, MPOGD, Pearl Research
and Themis Group
About Evergreen Events Evergreen Events,
Inc., (http://www.evergreenevents.org/), is an independent Seattle
area-based producer of conferences and events for the interactive
entertainment industry. Evergreen Events is dedicated to the enrichment of
both established and aspiring professionals through innovative first-class
events offering exceptional content that is compelling, educational, and
cogent. Our directors and advisors bring over a century of collective
successful experience and involvement in the game industry.
More top-selling arcade titles
available Wednesday at discounted prices as they become Xbox LIVE Arcade
Hits.
Whether you’re avoiding spring
cleaning or revving up for spring break, be sure to check out the latest
Arcade Hits coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade on Wednesday, including “Assault
Heroes” and “DOOM.” The Arcade Hits program offers some of the
best-selling Xbox LIVE Arcade games at permanently reduced prices. They
can be found within the Xbox LIVE Arcade section of the new Game Store,
making it easier than ever to build a library of great downloadable games.
“Assault Heroes” (Sierra Online).
Become the only surviving member of an elite special forces unit searching
for a secret underground lab. Play the mission alone or fight side-by-side
with a friend in the two-player cooperative mode. The winner of IGN’s
Xbox LIVE Arcade game of the year for 2006, “Assault Heroes” will be
available for 400 Microsoft Points. “DOOM” (id Software). Originally
released in 1993, “DOOM” introduced millions to the white-knuckle
excitement of the first-person shooter (FPS). Relive the classic
demon-blasting action with up to four players over Xbox LIVE*, complete
with 5.1 surround sound and smoother graphics. “Doom” will be
available for 400 Microsoft Points. With 14 Xbox LIVE Arcade games
clocking in with a Metacritic score of 80 or higher and seven of those
games available only on Xbox LIVE Arcade, the platform has established
itself as the go-to source for quality pick-up-and-play gaming. More than
120 games are currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, with new content
added on Wednesdays. Specific information about each new title will be
available on http://www.xbox.com in the coming weeks, but here is an early
look at a few games coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade in the near future:
“Rocky and Bullwinkle” (Zen Studios
Ltd.). And now, here’s something you’ll really like! Based on the
highly popular cartoon series of the same name, “Rocky and Bullwinkle”
on Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast and fun party experience packed with over
100 micro-games and decked out in an authentic retro art style. All your
favorite characters are coming straight out of Frostbite Falls and into
your living room: Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris, Natasha, Dudley Do-Right and
many more. Plus, players with an Xbox LIVE Vision camera can control 25 of
these games using fun gestures. Gee whiz, Rock! “Shotest Shogi” (AI
Factory Ltd. and Rubicon Development Ltd.). Experience a new kind of shogi,
Japan’s top board game, which encourages complex tactical play and
strategic sacrifices. Set in an elegant Japanese room, this beautifully
rendered game features 16 challenging artificial intelligence opponents as
well as an online multiplayer mode*. For beginners, “Shotest Shogi” on
Xbox LIVE Arcade also offers an advanced tutorial that guides and tests
players as they progress through the game. “TiQal” (Slapdash Games).
An addictive new puzzler, “TiQal” takes players on an epic journey to
save an ancient Mayan village. Players demolish enemy block walls by
matching squares of the same color and building them up to unleash massive
combo points and mind-blowing power-ups. Partner with a friend over local
or LIVE* co-op play to rescue the village, while enjoying sumptuous
graphics, pulse-pounding sound effects and an awe-inspiring musical score.
“Wits & Wagers” (Hidden Path Entertainment LLC). Party and trivia
fun! Even if trivia isn’t your thing, the first trivia and party game to
hit Xbox LIVE Arcade is one in which players can win by making educated
guesses, playing the odds or just knowing the interests of other players,
whether they are local or online. Break out the Big Button Pad controllers
or play couch vs. couch on Xbox LIVE for a trivia party extravaganza. “Wolf
of the Battlefield: Commando 3” (Capcom Entertainment Inc.). Xbox LIVE
Arcade’s “Wolf of the Battlefield: Commando 3” revives one of the
most popular arcade shooters with an all-new adventure. Battle solo or
recruit two other specialized commandos to conquer the evil tyrant,
General Ratiev. Players can play as Codename Wolf, Coyote or Fox to take
on waves of soldiers, rescue POWs and blow up armored vehicles through a
variety of dangerous battlefields.
About Xbox LIVE Arcade Xbox LIVE Arcade
on Xbox 360 is the premier destination for digitally distributed
high-definition games. Xbox LIVE Arcade is a fast-growing phenomenon with
a diverse library of original development and classic titles from the
world’s best independent and established developers and publishers. With
a dynamically updated library and free trials for every title, Xbox LIVE
Arcade makes it easy for every type of gamer — from casual to hard-core
— to get instantly immersed in the fun. Xbox LIVE Arcade also lets
friends connect and play these incredible games either from the same room
or from around the world via the Xbox LIVE online entertainment network.
More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/livearcade.
About Microsoft Founded in 1975,
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software,
services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full
potential.
> March 14, 2008
Playstation Store's painful update
Jowood reveals Mysteries on PC
Major League 2K8 demo released
PlayStation Store Update 3/13/08
Add-on Game Content Toy Home Expansion
Pack ($6.99) The Toy Home Expansion Pack adds even more racing fun to the
miniature universe. This pack includes 6 new vehicles and 2 new playrooms,
each with 3 separate configurations. Players will now be able to engage in
4-player battle both offline and online and check out their rankings
online. Also included are a new set of courses in the single player mode
and a free-run mode. File size: 100 KB
PAIN Character: Nurse, Ginger ($0.99)
PAIN can hurt, but be careful - Sometimes your medical professional is
really the one who needs help. Case in point, downloadable character
Ginger, our on-site PAIN Nurse. File size: 7.42 MB
PAIN Character: Cheerleader, Muffy
($0.99) “Gimme a ‘P’! Gimme an ‘A’! Gimme an ‘I’! Gimme an
‘N’! What does it spell!?!?? Umm…Can someone tell me what that
spells, please?” Yeah, that’s Muffy, our new downloadable Cheerleader
for PAIN. File size: 4.68 MB
GUITAR HERO III: Dropkick Murphy’s
Track Pack (free) “Famous for Nothing”, “Flannigans Ball”, “Johnny”,
“I Hardly Knew Ya”, as performed by Dropkick Murphy’s. For all song
credits please visit www.redoctane.com File size: 41.7 MB
Rock Band Build your Rock Band library
by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit
www.RockBand.com.
“Shockwave” - Black Tide ($0.99) “Beethoven’s
C***” - Serj Tankian ($0.99) “CrushCrushCrush” - Paramore ($0.99)
File sizes: 20.3 MB - 23.7 MB
Demos (free) Major League Baseball 2K8
Demo This is a 3 inning demo of baseball gameplay from Major League
Baseball 2K8. It features 2 teams (Boston and Colorado) and 1 stadium (Fenway
Park). ESRB Rated E File size: 952 MB
Game Videos (free) Hot Shots Golf: Out
of Bounds - Characters & Courses Slip on the golf shoes, step out on
the course and tee it up on the PlayStation 3 with Hot Shots Golf Out Of
Bounds. File size: 41.6 MB (HD)
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds - New Shot
System Slip on the golf shoes, step out on the course and tee it up on the
PlayStation 3 with Hot Shots Golf Out Of Bounds. File size: 64.5 MB (HD)
Viking: Battle for Asgard Teaser Trailer
You are Skarin, a rage-fueled Viking warrior hell-bent on revenge. The
goddess of death has resurrected a legion of demon warriors to overrun
mankind and begin the apocalypse. Wage all-out war to annihilate the enemy
and free the Earth from the grip of the Underworld. File size: 70.3 MB
(HD)
Viking Episode 1 - Skarin’s Calling
Trailer The invasion of Hel’s Dread Legion. Midgard is brought to its
knees, its sons and daughters murdered or imprisoned. Is there no one to
stand against her? Have the gods deserted us? File size: 84.7 MB (HD)
Viking Episode 2 - Siege of Caldburg
Trailer Caldburg, The Jewel of Galcliff, now overrun by Hel’s monsters
and corrupted by the horrors committed within its walls. Skarin knew its
importance to our people, and we marched on the city with a grim
determination. File size: 76.5 MB (HD)
PS3 Themes (free) God of War: Chains of
Olympus Theme Customize your PS3 system with a cool God of War: Chains of
Olympus theme. This theme allows you to change up the look of your
background and XMB icons. File size: 8.19 MB
PAIN: Ginger Theme Customize your PS3
system with a cool PAIN: Ginger theme. This theme allows you to change up
the look of your background and XMB icons. File size: 2.53 MB
PAIN: Muffy Theme Customize your PS3
system with a cool PAIN: Muffy theme. This theme allows you to change up
the look of your background and XMB icons. File size: 2.58 MB
Condemned 2: Bloodshot Theme 1 Customize
your PS3 system with a cool Condemned 2: Bloodshot theme. This theme
allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. File
size: 25.5 MB
Condemned 2: Bloodshot Theme 2 Customize
your PS3 system with a cool Condemned 2: Bloodshot theme. This theme
allows you to change up the look of your background and XMB icons. File
size: 14.2 MB
Here is this week’s content release
for the PLAYSTATION Store for PC. To download these games to your PSP,
navigate to http://store.playstation.com. There, you’ll find
descriptions of the content and directions on how to get started. For more
on the PLAYSTATION Store for PC, please click here.
Demos (free) * WipEout Pulse Demo
PSP Themes (free) * God of War: Chains
of Olympus Theme
PSP Wallpaper (free) * God of War:
Chains of Olympus Wallpaper (x4)
JoWooD Productions Presents Agatha
Christies Mysteries
Liezen, Austria, March 14th 2008; JoWooD
Productions are pleased to announce on Thursday 20th March they will be
releasing ‘Agatha Christie Mysteries’ for PC, priced at £19.99 (SRP)
exclusively in United Kingdom. Agatha Christies was England’s most
prolific writer…. Roughly Four billion copies of novels sold and this
number continues to rise, through 80 detective novels, 160 short stories,
6 novels as well as a comic series.
On stage and screen: 299 Movie
Adaptations, 47 TV adaptations, over 14 TV series,16 plays, 4 radio plays,
2 TV plays and a Japanese anime series…
Now experience murder first hand…in
‘Agatha Christies Mysteries’…
Prepare yourself for three extraordinary
investigative thrillers in the superb adaptions of three of the world’s
Best-Selling novels: Murder on the Orient Express, And then there were
None and Evil Under the Sun.
Board the legendary Orient Express and
solve a perplexing murder mystery alongside famous detective Hercule
Poirot! Murder on the Orient Express, featuring David Suchet is filled
with spectacular twists and turns and includes a surprise ending that is
different from the original novel.
A curious assortment of virtual
strangers invited to a lavish estate on an isolated island awaits you in
And then there where None. The mysterious host accuses each of his “guests”
of murder and proceeds to exact justice by becoming judge, jury and
executioner... for each has been marked for murder: Tension mounts and
secrets are revealed as, in accord to the ingenious plan of the unknown
killer, one-by-one the number of guests systematically dwindles. Find the
culprit or there will be none...
And finally the famous Detective Hercule
Poirot turns up at just the right time to begin an investigation into the
murder of a famous actress during what should have been the start of a
relaxing holiday. Taking on the role of Hercule Poirot, players are able
to scour a stunning tropical island for clues and delve deeper into the
mysterious relationships between over 20 unique characters to search out
the killer and finally solve the case of the Evil under the Sun.
Features:
Experience the new and very creative
built-in hint system as Hercule Poirot acts as your mentor and confidante
Shadow and interact with over 25
different characters throughout your investigation to gain insight on each
suspect
Visually impressive 3D as well as
breathtaking third-person graphics immerse you deep into the mystery
Three challenging murder mysterys that
will stretch the furthest limits of your imagination
60+ hours of engrossing gameplay
2K Sports Announces Free Demo of Major
League Baseball® 2K8 Now Available for Download on PlayStation®Store
While dedicated fans eagerly anticipate
the start of opening day, 2K Sports today announced a free Major League
Baseball 2K8 demo is now available for download through the
PlayStation®Store. Players will be able to practice their skills at
Boston’s legendary Fenway Park by playing three full innings as either
the Colorado Rockies or Boston Red Sox.
The free game demo will also offer fans
a chance to experience the new and exciting features that Major League
Baseball 2K8 brings to the virtual diamond through retooled pitching,
batting, fielding and baserunning gameplay mechanics. Fans will also get a
sneak peek at the stunning realism and depth of gameplay in Major League
Baseball 2K8 through new Signature Style™ animations and redesigned
stadiums that showcase the detail and specific architecture of each city.
Major League Baseball 2K8, rated E for
Everyone by the ESRB, is now available in retail stores for Xbox 360®
video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3
computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment
system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, and Wii™ home video game
system.
For more information about Major League
Baseball 2K8, please visit www.2Ksports.com.
> March 13, 2008
> March 13, 2008
Sony, Microsoft battle over February NPD Numbers
Microsoft's Take: (uncensored
by The Laser)
NPD Numbers for February
For February’s NPD reporting
period, Xbox 360 remained in a supply constrained situation. The situation
is improving and we are confident consumers will soon be able to find the
Xbox 360 SKU they seek, in time for the launch of “Grand Theft Auto IV”,
which we expect to be one of the biggest titles of the year with huge
impact on the Xbox 360 platform.
What makes a winning platform? It’s
more than console sales. It’s about consoles + content + community.
As you do your reporting this month
we thought we’d provide you with what we believe is a complete picture
of a healthy console ecosystem, and how Xbox 360 is contributing:
Consoles:
· $332 million was spent on the Xbox
360 platform this month, capturing 39 percent of the generation’s
ecosystem, $235 million was spent on the PS3 and $283 million was spent on
the Wii. (February NPD data)
· The Xbox 360 platform now has a
U.S. installed base of 9.6 million; the PS3 has 3.8 million, the Wii has
8.1 million. (February NPD data)
· February NPD data shows a new Xbox
360 software attach rate of 7.2, nearly twice that of the PS3 or the Wii.
(February NPD data)
· 255,000 Xbox 360 consoles were
sold during the month of February. (February NPD data)
Content:
· Xbox 360 leads in games, with six
out of the top 10 best selling console games in February. (February NPD
data)
· Xbox 360 “Call of Duty 4: Modern
Warfare” (Activision) was the best-selling console game across all
platforms, outselling the PlayStation 3 version by 2:1. (February NPD
data)
· Xbox 360 has the top selling games
on its platform. According to February NPD, Xbox 360 sold $184 million in
games, with PS3 selling $97 million and Wii $130 million.
· Third party partners find more
success on Xbox 360. In February, Xbox 360 accounted for $159 million of
all third party game sales this generation, or 45 percent of share.
(February NPD data)
· Xbox 360 has more games available
than any other platform, and more than twice the games available on PS3.
(February NPD data)
Community:
· Xbox LIVE is the largest online
gaming community currently over 10 million strong worldwide, and growing.
The PS3 online network is only 2.9 million (U.S. data only) and the Wii
has only four million (this number includes North America and Japan).
(Microsoft internal estimates)
· Xbox LIVE is opening doors to help
turn its 10 million gamers into developers. Last month, Xbox 360 announced
community games for Xbox LIVE and will be widely available this fall.
· Today, we are announcing Xbox LIVE
experienced 750,000 downloads of seven new community games on Xbox LIVE.
They were made available for free, for less than a week. (Microsoft
internal estimates)
When you look at lifetime performance
of all three consoles, Xbox 360 continues to lead:
Lifetime Ecosystem Performance (US
NPD Data):
· To date, $9.0 billion have been
spent on Xbox 360 in the U.S, which is more than the competition’s
retail dollars combined. This is nearly $6 billion more than consumers
have spent on PS3 and approximately $4.5 billion more than Wii.
· Third party publishers make 60
percent of their revenue at retail on the Xbox 360 platform this
generation.
Xbox 360: Extending the Lead
· Xbox 360 has six of the top 10
best games, ranked by quality. (Metacritic)
· No other game platform delivers
downloadable digital entertainment, with family favorites like “Hannah
Montana” and “Lost.”
· No other platform delivers
interactive online experiences to more than 10 million members around the
globe.
Now that you’ve seen the gaming
ecosystem from a different perspective, we look forward to hearing your
thoughts.
Thanks.
p.s. In case you were wondering,
Microsoft is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Disc
Association regarding integrating Blu-ray in to the Xbox 360 experience.
Games are what are driving consumers to purchase game consoles and we
remain focused on providing the largest and best library of blockbuster
games available.
Sony's Take: (uncensored by The
Laser)
PlayStation by the Numbers February 2008
PS3 Sales Eclipse Xbox 360 for Second
Straight Month; Year-Over-Year Sales More Than Doubled
Total PlayStation Hardware Unit Sales
Top 875,969
PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) outsold Xbox
360 for the second straight month with 280,841 hardware units sold in
February, 10% higher than Microsoft (according to NPD February 2008 sales
data). Year-over-year this represents 120% sales growth.
· Wait, There’s More… Next month
will see the introductions of heavyweights Grand Theft Auto IV and
PS3-exclusive Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, and June will usher in the monster
2008 title Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. And let’s not
forget DUALSHOCK®3 rumbles to North American retailers in April. The
arsenal of 2008 blockbusters including LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2,
MotorStorm 2, and SingStar, combined with current momentum for Blu-ray,
will further PS3 enthusiasm throughout the year.
· PLAYSTATION®Network Is
Burgeoning: Currently in North America there are more than 3.3 million
registered PLAYSTATION Network accounts and more than 56 million total
downloads life-to-date from PLAYSTATION®Store. PLAYSTATION Network total
downloads exceeded 6.3 million in February 2008, compared to 6.6 million
at the peak of the holiday season in December 2007. Only on PLAYSTATION
Network can you find innovative games like Calling All Cars, Everyday
Shooter, fl0w, PAIN, Tekken 5, Warhawk and Super Stardust.
PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)
continued its trend of strong sales with 243,115 PSP hardware units sold
in February, representing a year-over-year increase of 38%.
· If You Think February Sales Were
Good… Rave reviews of God of War: Chains of Olympus, wipEout® PULSE and
Patapon are already pouring in, not to mention the highly anticipated
debut of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII on March 25, which are expected to
further PSP sales growth.
PlayStation®2 (PS2) continues to
surprise and delight mainstream audiences with hardware unit sales
reaching 351,787 units. Additionally, for the third consecutive month PS2
sold more software units than any other console on the market, not only a
testament to the staying power of PlayStation products, but also the
incredible PlayStation software library.
Power of the PlayStation Portfolio
The PlayStation brand generated the most U.S. retail dollars in the
industry for the second consecutive month with $511 million in sales, 52%
and 6% higher than Microsoft and Nintendo, respectively.
· Year to date (Jan-Feb), the
PlayStation brand generated nearly $1 billion in the U.S. market, 56% and
15% higher than Microsoft and Nintendo, respectively.
· PlayStation total hardware revenue
was $204 million in February, 125% and 11% higher than Microsoft and
Nintendo, respectively.
· PlayStation total software revenue
in February was $247 million, 32% and 5% higher than Microsoft and
Nintendo respectively.
CEO Perspective
“Consumers are recognizing the
tremendous value of PS3 and we believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def
format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers. With monster
titles like Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Grand Theft Auto IV launching in
April and Metal Gear Solid 4 in June, we’re demonstrating this is the
year for PS3.”
- Jack Tretton, president and CEO,
Sony Computer Entertainment America
2K Sports’ NBA® 2K8 Prepares
for Playoff Push with New Roster Updates Now Available For Free Download
As NBA teams continue to jockey for
playoff position in the Western and Eastern Conference, a busy trade
deadline resulted in a flurry of blockbuster trades and transactions this
past month. To reflect the commitment of providing fans with the most fun
and authentic NBA® experience available, updated team rosters for the
top-rated basketball franchise, NBA 2K8, are now available to download for
free through Xbox LIVE® Marketplace and PLAYSTATION®Network.
Some of the notable players who swapped
teams in recent weeks include Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns, Pau
Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers, Jason Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks, Mike
Bibby to the Atlanta Hawks, Ben Wallace to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and
Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat.
The following is a full list of updates
to team rosters for NBA 2K8:
Team Description
Atlanta Hawks Mike Bibby (traded from
Sacramento Kings)
Boston Celtics Brandon Wallace (waived)
Charlotte Bobcats Earl Boykins (signed)
Charlotte Bobcats Nazr Mohammed (traded
from Detroit Pistons)
Chicago Bulls Larry Hughes (traded from
Cleveland Cavaliers)
Chicago Bulls Drew Gooden (traded from
Cleveland Cavaliers)
Chicago Bulls Shannon Brown (traded from
Cleveland Cavaliers)
Chicago Bulls Cedric Simmons (traded
from Cleveland Cavaliers)
Chicago Bulls Viktor Khryapa (waived)
Cleveland Cavaliers Ben Wallace (traded
from Chicago Bulls)
Cleveland Cavaliers Joe Smith (traded
from Chicago Bulls)
Cleveland Cavaliers Wally Szczerbiak
(traded from Seattle Supersonics)
Cleveland Cavaliers Delonte West (traded
from Seattle Supersonics)
Cleveland Cavaliers Anderson Varejao
(signed)
Dallas Mavericks Jason Kidd (traded from
New Jersey Nets)
Dallas Mavericks Malik Allen (traded
from New Jersey Nets)
Dallas Mavericks Antoine Wright (traded
from New Jersey Nets)
Dallas Mavericks Nick Fazekas (waived)
Denver Nuggets Bobby Jones (waived)
Detroit Pistons Ronald “Flip” Murray
(waived)
Detroit Pistons Juan Dixon (traded from
Toronto Raptors)
Detroit Pistons Walter Herrmann (traded
from Charlotte Bobcats)
Detroit Pistons Ronald Dupree (waived)
Golden State Warriors Chris Webber
(signed)
Golden State Warriors Troy Hudson
(waived)
Houston Rockets Gerald Green (traded
from Minnesota Timberwolves)
Houston Rockets Bobby Jackson (traded
from New Orleans Hornets)
Los Angeles Clippers Ruben Patterson
(waived)
Los Angeles Lakers Pau Gasol (traded
from Memphis Grizzlies)
Los Angeles Lakers DJ Mbenga (signed)
Los Angeles Lakers Trevor Ariza (traded
from Orlando Magic)
Memphis Grizzlies Kwame Brown (traded
from Los Angeles Lakers)
Memphis Grizzlies Javaris Crittenton
(traded from Los Angeles Lakers)
Memphis Grizzlies Aaron McKie (traded
from Los Angeles Lakers)
Memphis Grizzlies Jason Collins (traded
from New Jersey Nets)
Memphis Grizzlies Damon Stoudamire
(waived)
Memphis Grizzlies Tarence Kinsey
(waived)
Miami Heat Shawn Marion (traded from
Phoenix Suns)
Miami Heat Marcus Banks (traded from
Phoenix Suns)
Miami Heat Penny Hardaway (waived)
Minnesota Timberwolves Kirk Snyder
(traded from Houston Rockets)
New Jersey Nets Devin Harris (traded
from Dallas Mavericks)
New Jersey Nets DeSagana Diop (traded
from Dallas Mavericks)
New Jersey Nets Maurice Ager (traded
from Dallas Mavericks)
New Jersey Nets Trenton Hassell (traded
from Dallas Mavericks)
New Jersey Nets Stromile Swift (traded
from Memphis Grizzlies)
New Jersey Nets Jamaal Magloire (waived)
New Orleans Hornets Mike James (traded
from Houston Rockets)
New Orleans Hornets Bonzi Wells (traded
from Houston Rockets)
Orlando Magic Maurice Evans (traded from
Los Angeles Lakers)
Orlando Magic Brian Cook (traded from
Los Angeles Lakers)
Philadelphia 76ers Gordan Giricek
(traded from Utah Jazz)
Phoenix Suns Shaquille O'Neal (traded
from Miami Heat)
Sacramento Kings Shelden Williams
(traded from Atlanta Hawks)
Sacramento Kings Anthony Johnson (traded
from Atlanta Hawks)
Sacramento Kings Lorenzen Wright (traded
from Atlanta Hawks)
Sacramento Kings Tyronn Lue (traded from
Atlanta Hawks)
Sacramento Kings Justin Williams
(waived)
Sacramento Kings Beno Udrih (signed)
Sacramento Kings Orien Greene (waived)
San Antonio Spurs Kurt Thomas (traded
from Seattle Supersonics)
San Antonio Spurs Damon Stoudamire
(signed)
Seattle Supersonics Ira Newble (traded
from Cleveland Cavaliers)
Seattle Supersonics Donyell Marshall
(traded from Cleveland Cavaliers)
Seattle Supersonics Adrian Griffin
(traded from Chicago Bulls)
Seattle Supersonics Francisco Elson
(traded from Chicago Bulls)
Seattle Supersonics Brent Barry (traded
from San Antonio Spurs, then waived)
Toronto Raptors Primoz Brezec (traded
from Detroit Pistons)
Utah Jazz Kyle Korver (traded from
Philadelphia 76ers)
NBA 2K8, the #1 rated NBA video game for
five consecutive years, provides the most exciting and realistic
basketball simulation experience available. NBA 2K8 features all-new
gameplay modes including a radically improved franchise mode The
Association, Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, Rookie Challenge, 3-Point
Challenge, along with other added improvements such as lock-on D, all-new
post play moves, more signature player styles, defensive mechanics, and
off-ball controls. For more information about NBA 2K8, please visit
www.2Ksports.com.
MATTEL, MTV NETWORKS, IBM AND
ELECTRIC SHEEP COMPANY EXECUTIVES TO KEYNOTE VIRTUAL WORLDS 2008 IN NEW
YORK ON APRIL 3-4, 2008
NEW YORK, New York - March 13, 2008 -
Virtual Worlds Management, the leading virtual worlds media company,
announced the keynotes for the second annual Virtual Worlds Conference
taking place April 3 - 4, 2008, at the Javits Convention Center in New
York City.
Keynote addresses will be given by: -
Charles Scothon, General Manager & SVP, Girls Mattel Brands, Mattel,
Inc. - Rosie O'Neill, Senior Brand Manager, Barbie Tech, Mattel, Inc. -
Jeffrey B. Yapp, Executive Vice President, MTV Networks Music & Logo
Enterprise Group - Sibley Verbeck, CEO, The Electric Sheep Company - Kyra
E. Reppen, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Neopets - Steve
Mortinger, VP & Associate General Counsel, Systems and Technology
Group, IBM.
"Virtual worlds are rapidly
reshaping the toy, media, and entertainment industries," said
Christopher Sherman, Executive Director of the Virtual Worlds Management.
"This year's Virtual Worlds Conference keynoters are individuals who
are leading the charge, leveraging existing content, brands and
intellectual property to create new, high-margin virtual worlds that
excite, entertain and engage audiences."
The two day conference agenda covers the
business, operations and legal issues for companies seeking to monetize
their intellectual property with virtual worlds. Thirty three companies
will also be exhibiting new products and services. The full speaker roster
and agenda can be found online at http://www.VirtualWorlds2008.com.
About the Keynote Speakers
Charles (Chuck) Scothon, General Manager
& SVP, Girls Mattel Brands, Mattel, Inc. Conference Keynote: Thursday,
April 3rd, 9:00am - 10:30pm Charles Scothon oversees all aspects of
marketing and design for the Girls portfolio of industry-leading brands
including Barbie, My Scene, Polly Pocket, Pixel Chix, Little Mommy, Disney
Princesses, and several other popular girls brands. In 2006, under Chuck's
leadership, the Barbie brand experienced its first full year of growth in
six years, remaining the No. 1 fashion-themed doll in the U.S. and
worldwide.
Rosie O'Neill, Senior Brand Manager,
Barbie Tech, Mattel, Inc. Conference Keynote: Thursday, April 3rd, 9:00am
- 10:30pm Rosie O'Neill leads Mattel's Barbie Tech initiatives, which
include the Barbie Girls' platform, Barbie® i-Design gaming system and
more. In April 2007, O'Neill launched the Barbie Girls' platform, a hybrid
online-offline play experience that blends a doll-inspired music player
with a virtual world designed exclusively for girls.
Sibley Verbeck, CEO, The Electric Sheep
Company Conference Keynote: Thursday, April 3rd, 4:00pm - 5:00pm T. Sibley
Verbeck is founder of The Electric Sheep Company, and is responsible for
business development and overall company strategy. As a former Chief
Scientist of StreamSage, Inc. and Comcast Online, Sibley has been a
leading researcher in advanced computational linguistic and statistical
techniques for analyzing audio, video, and text.
Jeffrey B. Yapp, Executive Vice
President, MTV Networks Music And Logo Enterprise Group Conference
Keynote: Friday, April 4th, 9:00am - 10:30pm Jeffrey B. Yapp leads the
business development team in extending the MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo brands
into new businesses and platforms. Yapp oversees several development
groups responsible for an extensive array of ventures and new content
opportunities including: console and portable video games and virtual
world platforms, among others.
Kyra E. Reppen, Senior Vice President
& General Manager, Neopets Conference Keynote: Friday, April 4th,
9:00am - 10:30pm Kyra Reppen leads and manages all day-to-day operations,
creative direction and business strategy for Neopets, which is based in
Los Angeles, Calif. Prior to her tenure at Neopets, Reppen was Vice
President and General Manager of Nickjr.com, a division of Nickelodeon and
MTVN Kids and Family Digital Group, where she oversaw strategy, creative
and editorial.
Steve Mortinger, VP & Associate
General Counsel, Systems and Technology Group, IBM Virtual Law Keynote:
Thursday, April 3rd, 11:00am - 12:00pm Steve Mortinger has responsibility
for IBM's virtual worlds policies and is co-chair of the ABA IP section's
Special Committee on Computer Gaming and Virtual Worlds. Steve headed up
the IBM cross- functional team that created IBM's Virtual Worlds
Guidelines for employees.
Registration Information
Online registration is open. Attendees
can save $400 by registering online at the event web site. Registration is
only $895 until March 31, 2008. Onsite registration beginning April 3rd at
7:30am is $1,295. Complete details are available at
http://www.VirtualWorlds2008.com.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Virtual Worlds 2008 is sponsored by The
Electric Sheep Company, Slippcat, There.com, Millions of Us, Electrotank,
Cisco, IBM, Second Life, Mycosm, Metaversatility, Multiverse, Habbo,
VastPark and Aria.
Companies exhibiting new technologies
and services include: ActiveWorlds, Avatar Reality, Inc., Avatrian, LLC,
CyberExtruder, Dinokids / Avocado Entertainment, Inc., DSCI, Electrotank,
Freggers.com, GlobalCollect, IBM, Icarus Studios, Linden Lab / Second
Life, Makena Technologies Inc. / There.com, MASA Group, Metaversatility,
Millions of Us, Multiverse, Mycosm, Parature, PayByCash, Rivers Run Red,
SceneCaster, Slippcat, Sulake Corporation, The Electric Sheep Company,
VastPark Pty Ltd., Wyndstorm Corporation, xtranormal Inc.
About Virtual Worlds Management
The Virtual Worlds Conference is
produced by Virtual Worlds Management, the leading virtual worlds media
company. Virtual Worlds Management provides comprehensive media and events
including Virtual Worlds Conference (April 3-4, 2008 in New York), Virtual
Worlds Expo (September 4-5, 2008 in Los Angeles), Virtual Worlds London
(Fall 2008), Virtual Worlds Weekly email newsletter and the
VirtualWorldsNews.com trade news blog. More information about Virtual
Worlds Management can be found at http://www.VirtualWorldsManagement.com.
> March 12, 2008
Rondo of Swords screened
Sega names Marketing VP
Seven Kingdoms hits stores
Carnival Games returns on Wii, DS
R-Type back in Command
ATLUS PUBLISHES NEW R-TYPE COMMAND
SCREENSHOTS
Atlus has released a squadron of new
screenshots for R-Type Command, the upcoming turn-based tactics game for
the PSP, set in the iconic R-Type universe. Ten new screens are now
available to give players a new glimpse of the battle against the Bydo.
R-Type Command is scheduled to release on 5/6/08.
About Atlus U.S.A., Inc. Located in
Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is a publisher
of compelling video games for a variety of platforms, including Nintendo
DS(TM), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Wii(TM), Xbox 360(TM), and
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The Atlus library of
critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center
series, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, and the award-winning Shin Megami
Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.
SEGA APPOINTS SEAN RATCLIFFE VICE
PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
SAN FRANCISCO (March 12, 2008) –
SEGA® of America, Inc. announced today that it has named Sean Ratcliffe
vice president of marketing effective March 3, 2008. Mr. Ratcliffe brings
to SEGA more than 15 years of experience in successfully building
mass-market brands and growing video game businesses for major global
entertainment companies including Disney Interactive Studios, LEGO
Interactive and EA SPORTS.
A seasoned executive, Mr. Ratcliffe will
serve as a key member of SEGA of America’s senior management team and
will oversee product marketing, advertising and public relations.
Reporting directly to Simon Jeffery, president and COO of SEGA of America,
Mr. Ratcliffe will manage SEGA of America’s marketing group, continuing
the company’s strategy of developing the right games for the right
platforms. SEGA’s approach of publishing a balanced mix of original IP
and licensed properties, as well as tapping its own IP vault of enduring
brands, has created successful titles such as Mario & Sonic at the
Olympic Games, which has sold more than five million copies worldwide.
“Sean’s impressive accomplishments
include managing the worldwide launch of hit titles like Harry Potter
& The Sorcerer’s Stone, the multi-million unit-seller, as well as
playing a key role in Disney Interactive’s impressive market share
growth,” said Jeffery. “These achievements, coupled with his proven
ability to work on a worldwide scale, make Sean a fantastic asset at a
global company like SEGA.”
“The video game space is growing at an
astounding rate, and SEGA is a company with positive momentum and some of
the most enduring brands in the industry,” said Ratcliffe. “I look
forward to helping SEGA’s dynamic and innovative teams in delivering
great games to wide audiences.”
Mr. Ratcliffe most recently was the
marketing director for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region of
Disney Interactive Studios, where he successfully launched such titles as
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Pirates
of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the hit original IP Spectrobes, and
most recently Turok published by Touchstone. Previously, Mr. Ratcliffe
spent eight years with Electronic Arts Europe which included serving as
the European marketing director and as the worldwide franchise director
for Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone.
About SEGA of America, Inc.: SEGA® of
America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation,
a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside
the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive
entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms
including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo,
Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
About SEGA Europe Limited.: SEGA®
Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA
Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both
inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes
interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware
platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by
Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s
web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.
Step Right Up! 2K Play Expands Its
Carnival Games Franchise With Carnival Games™ For Nintendo DS™ And
Carnival Games: Mini-Golf™ Exclusively For Wii™
Original Wii Version of Carnival Games
Ships More Than One Million Copies
New York, NY – March 11, 2008 – 2K
Play, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:
TTWO), today announced two new titles as a part of its brand extension
strategy for its highly popular Carnival Games series. The new titles
include Carnival Games for Nintendo DS, which is scheduled to ship this
summer, and Carnival Games: Mini-Golf, an all-new game exclusive to the
Wii home video game system, which will debut this fall. 2K Play is also
announcing that its flagship Carnival Games title has reached a milestone
of shipping more than one million units worldwide, while remaining a
top-selling game with a number 5 ranking on the January 2008 NPD Wii
chart.
“The success of Carnival Games is
proof that the casual game market continues to grow,” said Christoph
Hartmann, president of 2K. “We are actively working to expand the 2K
Play label and are committed to producing fun, quality games for the mass
market with the Carnival Games franchise paving the way.”
“The consumer response to Carnival
Games has been extraordinary,” said Steve Lux, vice president of
business development for 2K Play. “The game resonates with every
demographic and the feedback we have received from moms, dads, kids and
grandparents shows Carnival Games as one of the drivers of family game
time. Our new games build on the strength of the first title and will
promote this growing trend.”
Carnival Games for DS brings the fun of
the original to the world’s best-selling portable system during the
summer vacation and travel season. Each game is designed from the ground
up to take full advantage of the DS control mechanism. A frenzied
combination of tapping, blowing, speaking and stylus maneuvering brings
the now famous midway to life. Favorites such as Alley Ball, Frog Leap and
Dunk Tank are complemented with fresh games including RC Raceway and Clown
Hammer.
This fall, the all-new Carnival Games:
Mini-Golf comes exclusively to Wii. Featuring Carnival Bob™ and
characters made popular in the original, Carnival Games: Mini-Golf is home
to larger-than-life, theme park style miniature golf courses. Whether back
in time to the land of dinosaurs, keeping order in the Wild West or
searching for treasure on an island full of pirates, the game combines
traditional miniature golf fare with action-oriented game play utilizing
the unique capabilities of the Wii Remote™. It is designed for four
players and can best be described as “a hole in fun.”
“We work hand-in-hand with Nintendo on
the design of our Carnival Games titles to make sure they deliver the
best-possible gaming experience for their consoles,” said Harley Howe
and Patrick Wilkinson, studio heads of 2K Play’s Cat Daddy Games. “These
new titles in our growing Carnival Games franchise are fun, have
true-to-life physics and deliver on the promise of the original: you can
almost smell the cotton candy.”
For more information, log onto
www.2kgames.com/2kplay.
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two
Interactive Software, Inc., is a global developer, marketer, distributor
and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC,
PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable)
system, Xbox 360® and Xbox® video game and entertainment systems from
Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, Nintendo GameCube™ and Game Boy®
Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly
owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play, and
distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through
its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two’s common stock is publicly
traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product
information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
All trademarks and copyrights contained
herein are the property of their respective holders.
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of
Nintendo. © 2006 Nintendo.
NEW RONDO OF SWORDS SCREENS
RELEASED BY ATLUS
A collection of new screenshots from
Rondo of Swords, the upcoming strategy RPG for the Nintendo DS, has been
provided by Atlus for immediate download. The screens give players new
glimpses into the characters and combat from the fantasy title set to
deliver a deep, unique battle system and an engaging story with multiple
endings. Rondo of Swords is scheduled for release on the Nintendo DS on
4/15/08.
About Atlus U.S.A., Inc. Located in
Irvine, California and founded in 1991, Atlus U.S.A., Inc. is a publisher
of compelling video games for a variety of platforms, including Nintendo
DS(TM), PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) system, Wii(TM), Xbox 360(TM), and
PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. The Atlus library of
critically acclaimed video games includes Odin Sphere, Trauma Center
series, Magna Carta: Tears of Blood, and the award-winning Shin Megami
Tensei series. For more information, visit http://www.atlus.com.
JoWooD Productions Presents Seven
Kingdoms:Conquest On sale 14th March 2008.
Liezen, Austria, March 12th 2008; JoWooD
Productions are pleased to announce on Friday 14th March they will be
releasing ‘Seven Kingdoms: Conquest’ for PC, priced at £19.99 (SRP).
‘Seven Kingdoms: Conquest’ the third instalment of this successful
Real-Time-Strategy PC franchise developed by Enlight Software.
In 1997 Seven Kingdoms burst onto the
gaming scene and received universal accolades with its release. Gamespot
scored it 9/10 and said; ‘Seven Kingdoms is an outstanding game in every
way’. Two years later, EnLight Software excelled themselves again with
the follow up game Seven Kingdoms II Fryhtan Wars, which scored 8.6/10 in
IGN; ‘Seven Kingdoms II is a highly-enjoyable and highly-detailed
strategy game with seemingly limitless options and avenues for
replay-ability’.
‘Seven Kingdoms: Conquest’ builds on
the highly successful Seven Kingdoms Real-Time Strategy games. Join the
epic battle for dominance as the Demons advance in an effort to free their
Master Diablo and the mortal Humans try to push them back in campaigns
spanning over 4000 years. The time has come, the battlefields have been
set and all hell is about to break loose.
Release: March 14th 2008
About JoWooD Productions Software AG
JoWooD Productions Software AG (ATXPrime: JWD) is listed in the Prime
Market segment of the Vienna stock exchange. JoWooD is a leading publisher
of computer- and videogames, releasing international acclaimed,
high-quality titles for all existing and future gaming systems. JoWooD
games are distributed worldwide by an efficient net of distribution
partners. Visit http://corporate.jowood.com for more information.
> March 11, 2008
> March 11, 2008
Ratchet & Clank return to
PlayStation®2 in Ratchet & Clank ®: Size Matters
Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)
today announced the launch of Ratchet & Clank®: Size Matters on
PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. This hugely successful
title, which originated on the PSP®(PlayStation®Portable), has been in
high demand by PlayStation 2 owners looking for a Ratchet & Clank game
to play on their systems. Featuring a remapped control scheme, re-worked
lighting and textures, and the addition of 2-player split-screen gaming,
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters has been remastered to take advantage of
the PlayStation 2 hardware.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters find
the pair on a much needed vacation, Ratchet and Clank’s rest and
relaxation time is suddenly cut short as they find themselves lured into a
mysterious quest. Following the trail of a kidnapped girl, Ratchet and
Clank rediscover a forgotten race of genius inventors known as the
Technomites. They soon uncover a plot more dangerous than they could have
imagined. With hallmark Ratchet & Clank gameplay, upgradable weapons
and customizable armor; players will shrink and enlarge to explore the
inside of Clanks head or fly through space as Giant Clank.
A new feature to the franchise is
head-to-head split-screen multiplayer games. Two players battle on one of
four different maps in Capture the Flag or the team based Iron Lombax game
mode, which finds players competing to accomplish unique tasks such as
collecting Martian cows to create meat crates and fill delivery trucks,
the first to fill their truck wins.
The multi-million unit selling franchise
originated on PlayStation 2 in 2002 and has produced five sequels spread
over PlayStation 2, PSP, and PLAYSTATION®3. With more than 47 million
PlayStation 2 owners in North America, PlayStation 2 remains the
best-selling gaming system on the market and continues to provide new and
original content seven years into its lifecycle. Ratchet & Clank: Size
Matters is a shining example of SCEA’s continued support of the system
and its loyal fans.
PlayStation(R)2 Continues to Bring
the Party Into Your Living Room With Buzz!(TM) the Hollywood Quiz and
Buzz!(TM) Jr.: Robo Jam
New Installments of the Buzz! Franchise
Deliver More Social Gaming Fun for the Entire Family
FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 11 /PRNewswire/
-- Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) announced today the
release of Buzz!(TM) The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz!(TM) Jr.: Robo Jam, the
latest installments in the Buzz!(TM) franchise, available exclusively for
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. As the follow-up to
this holiday's party hits, Buzz!(TM) The Mega Quiz and Buzz!(TM) Junior
Jungle Party, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam provide
accessible gameplay for people of all ages by utilizing the easy to use
pick-up and play Buzz! buzzer peripherals instead of DUALSHOCK(R)2 analog
controller.
For the celebrity-obsessed, movie buffs
and trivia fans, Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz brings a sophisticated, red
carpet event "live" in your living room as players are cast as
contestants in the ultimate Hollywood trivia event. Featuring over 5,000
questions on a number of topics including Hollywood's biggest box office
hits and the lifestyles of its most glamorous stars, Buzz! The Hollywood
Quiz is the perfect party starter that lets eight of your family and
friends relive moments of their favorite feature films. With a simple push
of the Buzz! buzzer, gamers and non-gamers alike can test their tinsel
town knowledge on new and improved round types including Rollover, Fact or
Fiction and Hollywood Stars, and also experience all the glitz and movie
magic through hundreds of celebrity images, film clips and more.
Ideal for the younger gamer in the
family, Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam will bring kids, parents and grandparents
together with its infectious and entertaining interactive gameplay.
Featuring 24 brand new mini-games, Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam places players in a
futuristic world where mischievous robots are sent to Robot Boot camp. Up
to four players can pick up the easy to use buzzers and compete in
hilarious far-out tasks to see who will become the top cadet. Buzz! The
Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam both require buzzers to play and
are available bundled with the buzzers or as a standalone version offered
at a lower price. "The Buzz! franchise brings players of all ages
together to test their skills as the fastest buzzer in the house,"
said Jeff Reese, director, software marketing, SCEA. "Setting the
stage for seemingly endless rounds of competitive fun, kids will be
jumping off the furniture to be the best robot in Robo Jam, while the
entertainment hounds get their trivia on with Buzz! The Hollywood
Quiz." SCEA will support Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz and Buzz! Jr.: Robo
Jam with a media advertising campaign, full promotional support including
in-store demonstrations retailer supported Social Gaming Area, dedicated
point-of-purchase displays and merchandising support, broad-based public
relations support, and an immersive and interactive Buzz! brand Web site
at http://www.buzz-games.com. The independent Entertainment Software
Rating Board (ESRB) has rated Buzz! The Hollywood Quiz "T" for
"Teen" and rated Buzz! Jr.: Robo Jam "E" for
"Everyone." For more information about the ESRB, please visit
http://www.esrb.org.
About Sony Computer Entertainment
America Inc. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to
redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R)
game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld entertainment system, the
ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system
and its online and network services PLAYSTATION(R)Network and
PLAYSTATION(R)Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony
Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of
products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the
PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the
PS3 system and the PSP system for the North American market. Based in
Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as
headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Everyone's Invited to Experience
Xbox 360 as Microsoft Lowers Estimated Retail Price in Europe
With Estimated Retail Price Starting At €199.99/£159.99, Even More
European Consumers Can Enjoy The Definitive High-Definition Gaming and
Entertainment Experience
LONDON - Monday 10th March, 2008-
Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP)
for its Xbox 360™ family of consoles in Europe. Now with an entry-level
ERP of €199.99/£159.99, Xbox 360 is a mass market entertainment
proposition with something to offer for every interest and budget.
From Friday, 14th March, Xbox 360, which
includes a 20GB hard drive and one wireless controller, will have an ERP
of €269.99/£199.99 – a saving of €80/£50 on the current ERP. The
Xbox 360 Elite, which comes with a massive 120GB hard drive enabling
consumers to store huge quantities of content downloaded from Xbox LIVE™
Marketplace as well as their own music, will have an ERP of €369.99/£259.99
– a saving of €80/£40. The Xbox 360 Arcade console, perfect for those
wishing to make their first foray into the gaming and entertainment world
of Xbox, will have an ERP of €199.99/£159.99 – a saving of €80/£20.
Xbox 360 is the number one next-gen
console in EMEA, owning 42% of the market in terms of life-to-date
revenue. Xbox 360 continues to enjoy the highest software attach rate of
any game console in Europe with more than 7.0 games sold per console (PS3:
3.8; Wii 3.5) after 26 months on the market .
The new ERPs are part of Microsoft’s
ongoing strategy to open up the ultimate in high-definition gaming and
entertainment to an even wider audience, with an offering for everyone:
Best Choice for Families:
Xbox 360 grows as your family does, offering games and entertainment for
every member of the family – from movies to games to music videos.
With over 150 3+ rated games and
unparalleled parental controls, parents can feel good about their kids
playing Xbox 360
Most Diverse Entertainment:
Xbox 360 offers great choice in high-definition entertainment
Xbox Live Video Store offers a wide
variety of movies to download, both in HD and SD, enabling great
entertainment in the living room at the press of a button
It’s easy to view and enjoy video and
photos on Xbox 360 as well as connect wirelessly to share content with a
Windows Media Center PC
The Best Games:
There will be over 1,000 games available on Xbox 360 by the end of the
year, with something for every skill level, interest and taste.
New community games allow gamers to
sample the best of indie games, providing innovative new ways to play and
enjoy
Blockbuster franchises like Grand Theft
Auto IV, with exclusive downloadable episodes on Xbox LIVE, and Rock Band
make Xbox 360 the place to be this Spring
Xbox 360 exclusives for 2008 include
Fable 2, Gears of War 2 and Too Human, setting new standards for
next-generation gaming
“Xbox 360 is now mass market in
Europe,” said Chris Lewis, Vice President, Microsoft Interactive
Entertainment Business Europe. “We have reached and surpassed several
key milestones that form part of our long term strategic plan to achieve
critical mass in Europe; and our portfolio now offers the kind of
mainstream entertainment experiences that secure wider appeal for Xbox
360. These factors allow us to execute on our strategy to widen the market
for Xbox 360, as planned.
“We continue to offer intense,
immersive gaming experiences for gamers – but now we’re priced in a
way that will allow new consumers to find out for themselves why Xbox 360
is the ultimate in high-definition entertainment.” said Lewis. “History
shows that €199/£159 is the price point where a console’s audience
begins to expand, and with these new ERPs in place we’re ready to bring
more consumers into the Xbox 360 world.”
###
About Xbox 360™
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system,
delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox LIVE
online gaming network and unique digital entertainment experiences that
revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a catalogue of more than 160
high-definition games and is available in 37 countries. More information
can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE™
Xbox Live is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment
network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience,
making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment
they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox Live
connects millions of members across 25 countries to enjoy hundreds of
multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox Live Arcade, free and
premium playable game demos, music videos and TV shows as well as new game
levels, characters and vehicles for all their favourite retail games.
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