When Europa Universalis II was released in 2001 it conquered the world and became a global bestseller. Paradox Interactive is now working with Pocket PC Studios to adapt the critically acclaimed title to handheld platforms like Palm OS, Nintendo DS and Windows CE. "Europa Universalis II is one of our most appreciated titles. As a leading force in the pocket PC entertainment business, Pocket PC Studios are the perfect partners to continue its legacy on a new platform. This additional accessibility is something that will suit the current fan base as well as attract new curious gamers", says Fredrik Lindgren, … Continue reading Paradox Takes Europa To Handhelds →

Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE), a worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online (MMO) gaming, announced today that it has expanded operations with the formation of a development studio in Seattle, Washington. SOE-Seattle will further increase Sony Online Entertainment's global market share and will strengthen the overall planning and production of premium games. Matt Wilson will serve as Executive Producer of SOE-Seattle. Wilson had been with Microsoft for over 10 years, leaving to form FireAnt, Inc. with John Smith, Alex Pfaffe, Craig Link and Ed Fries in order to create cutting-edge massively multiplayer online games. All the members of FireAnt will … Continue reading Sony Online Opens Seattle Studio →

The video game industry singled out Malaysia and China as among the worst havens for piracy in the 2005 "Special 301" filing submitted to the U.S. Trade Representative by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and other copyright-based industries. The purpose of the report is to underscore areas of concern about market access and high piracy rates, which exist in some countries at levels at or in excess of 90%. "Despite efforts by the U.S. Government over the years, it's déjÃ

Microsoft is providing new power cords at no charge to replace the cords that originally came with some Xbox consoles after some people reported a failure in that component that could become a fire hazard. According to Microsoft "Fewer than one in 10,000 consoles have experienced these component failures. In almost all instances, any damage caused by these failures was contained within the console itself or limited to the tip of the power cord at the back of the console." The Xbox Cord will need replaced if it was manufactured before October 23, 2003, except for consoles purchased in Continental … Continue reading Microsoft Recalls Fire Hazard Xboxes →

Eidos (NASDAQ:EIDSY), one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces their first title for SCEI’s PSP handheld entertainment system, with Smart Bomb. Developed by Core Design, Smart Bomb will be released in conjunction with the European PSP handheld hardware launch. Smart Bomb delivers a tense gameplay experience as players are faced with a series of fast paced, challenging 3D puzzles based around diffusing sophisticated AI bombs. Gamers are faced with a series of bomb modules split into tiers and each tier must be disabled to unlock the next. As a tier is disabled the player moves … Continue reading Eidos Making PSP Title →

The Matrix Online Launches March 22, 2005 in the United States and April 8, 2005 in Europe. The highly anticipated continuation to the Matrix film trilogy, The Matrix Online will begin unveiling a story full of twists and action when the game is released in March in United States and April in Europe. The massively multi-player online game co-published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and SEGA has been in beta testing for months and features many of the original talent from the films – Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus), Monica Bellucci (Persephone), Mary Alice (The Oracle), Lambert Wilson (The Merovingian), Harold Perrineau … Continue reading The Matrix Launches In March →

Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today they have secured an all-star cast for the Batman Begins video game. The game will feature the voices and likenesses of Christian Bale (Bruce Wayne/Batman), Michael Caine (Alfred Pennyworth), Liam Neeson (Henri Ducard), Katie Holmes (Rachel Dawes), Cillian Murphy (Dr. Jonathan Crane), Tom Wilkinson (Carmine Falcone) and Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), all reprising their roles from the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures film directed by Christopher Nolan. Launching day-and-date with the film on June 17, 2005, the Batman Begins video game challenges gamers to step into the shadows of Gotham City's perilous … Continue reading Batman Game Cast Lines Up →

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment software publisher and developer, announced today that it has named David Sears a creative director at Midway’s internal studio Surreal, based in Seattle, WA. An industry veteran with more than 10 years of experience in game design and development, Sears will report directly to Alan Patmore, head of Surreal Software. Mr. Sears joins Midway from Zipper Interactive, where he served as both creative director and lead designer on the multi-million unit selling SOCOM series. At Surreal, Mr. Sears will be the creative director for one of Midway’s next generation development projects. … Continue reading David Sears Named Creative Director Of Surreal →

Capitalizing on the explosive growth of mobile, Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) announced today at 3 GSM World Congress that it has entered into a worldwide, multi-year partnership with Sorrent Inc., a leading creator and global publisher of mobile entertainment, to develop and publish a suite of creative mobile content based on the Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure. The agreement expands Atari's platform mix for the game, which was developed in partnership with Marc Ecko Enterprises, to leverage the portability and connectivity of the mobile platform. Sorrent will launch its products this September simultaneously with Atari's PlayStation 2 computer … Continue reading Atari To Enter Mobile Game Market →

For super-powered heroes in the massively-multiplayer online game City of Heroes, NCsoft and Cryptic Studios are providing the perfect gift to give that special non-City of Heroes playing friend — 14 free days of game play that can be given only as a gift to a would-be crime fighter buddy. This week, City of Heroes subscribers will receive an e-mail with a unique serial code that they can give to that special non-City of Heroes player which gives 14 days of free online play. Current players whose referred friend later becomes a regular City of Heroes subscriber after the 14 … Continue reading City Of Heroes Gives V Day Gift →