Sony Online Entertainment's Platform Publishing, a cross-platform publishing, distribution and marketing label, and Disney Online in association with Buena Vista Games announced an agreement today that is scheduled to bring Disney's Toontown Online, the first massively multiplayer online (MMO) game designed for kids and families, to retail stores this Fall. The family-friendly online title will carry an MSRP of $19.99, which includes a two-month subscription to the game service. Additionally, Platform Publishing has secured a license to also create an online version of Toontown specifically for video game consoles. "Platform Publishing is working with Disney Online to make Toontown available … Continue reading Sony, Disney Cut Toontown Deal →

Games Market Europe has today revealed that Ubisoft will be showcasing its eagerly-awaited Peter Jackson’s King Kong at next week’s European trade event at the Business Design Centre in London. Games Market Europe, which runs on August 31st and September 1st, is the only UK trade show for the computer and video games business, and Ubisoft will pack out stands D52, D54 and D62 with a selection of its pre-Christmas line-up. The result of an unparalleled collaboration between Ubisoft’s Montpellier studio and triple Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson with visual-effects company Weta Ltd., Peter Jackson’s King Kong is set for … Continue reading Ubisoft to show titles at Game Market Europe Show →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) and Nintendo announced today a partnership that brings the Nintendo All-Stars – Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach – to the Nintendo GameCube version of SSX On Tour, scheduled to launch this fall under the EA SPORTS BIG brand. The game is being produced by Electronic Arts Canada in Vancouver, BC. This marks the second collaboration between EA and Nintendo to bring Mario, Luigi, and Princess Peach to the EA SPORTS BIG lineup of titles, with NBA Street V3 being the first iteration of the partnership. Building on the critically acclaimed gameplay of the SSX franchise, SSX … Continue reading Nintendo Characters Hit SSX Slopes →

The somewhat delayed Web browser addition which adds Web surfing capabilities to the Sony PSP, was finally made available today. The firmware 2.0 upgrade is designed to let users surf the Internet from hotspots using the device’s built-in Wi-Fi functions. In addition, the upgrade features Wi-Fi security, tools for photo sharing and enhanced video and audio playback. The software can be downloaded from the PSP Web site directly to the PSP via a wireless connection, or downloaded to a PC and transferred through a USB cable. The upgrade is available as a download from http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/. With the upgrade, the PSP … Continue reading PSP Web Browser Added →

NCsoft Europe has today announced that it is offering one lucky person the chance to meet the creator of the highly anticipated City of Villains. The lucky winner, who will be chosen from the existing City of Heroes community, will attend an elite party with the NCsoft team and Statesman himself, Jack Emmert, at the European unveiling of City of Villains on September 1st. The winner will be taken to a top-secret Arachnos lair in the City of London, where Jack Emmert himself will be waiting to give an exclusive demonstration of City of Villains. They will then gain VIP … Continue reading Europe Given A Chance To Meet Super Villain →

Capcom today announced the release of Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xboxâ video game system from Microsoftâ. Set in the seedy underbelly of Las Sombras, players are immersed in an urban setting ruled by a criminal underworld of power, greed and corruption. This intense, urban action game features a twisting storyline filled with betrayal, warring cartels and hard-hitting battles. Players must use their wits and depend on their fists above all else, as they seek vengeance against their enemies. Beat Down: Fists of Vengeance includes multiple modes, diverse gameplay and an … Continue reading Capcom Releases Fists Of Vengence →

MFORMA Group, Inc., the leading global publisher and distributor of mobile entertainment, has released California Games, a retro collection of fun, summer beach games to play on your mobile phone, based on the EPYX smash hit console game of the 80s. The original California Games introduced the "extreme games" genre and was named one of the 50 greatest video games of all time. MFORMA's mobile version of California Games captures and rekindles the original excitement and takes you back to the days when nothing was more important than getting air on the half-pipe or shredding waves in the California surf. … Continue reading MFORMA Releases California Games To Mobile →

A dozen future game developers were welcomed today as the inaugural class of the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy at the University of Central Florida began school in a state-of-the-art facility in downtown Orlando. The students will earn accredited master's degrees in interactive entertainment at the end of the 16-month program, which will prepare them to be producers, artists and programmers in the video-game industry. "I'm excited about the group of students we've got here," Executive Director Ben Noel said. "They all bring an abundance of talent and a passion for games that I think will make them leaders in the … Continue reading Game Development School Opens →

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced the release of Darkwatch for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. Developed by High Moon Studios, Inc., Darkwatch is an immersive FPS (first person shooter) that blends the lawless action of the Wild West with the thrilling horror of vampire movies. Darkwatch is now available at retailers across North America and carries an "M" rating for mature audiences by the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board). Darkwatch is a mysterious secret society that has protected humanity from evil since the dawn … Continue reading Capcom Releases The Darkwatch →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:ERTS), today announced that, based on internal data, Madden NFL 06 scored big at retail in its first week in stores and sold-thru more than 1.7 million copies, making it the biggest week one launch of a Madden NFL Football game in the franchise's sixteen-year history. "Gamers were demanding the best Madden NFL Football ever this year and the response at retail indicates that we delivered the game that everyone wanted," said EA Vice President of Marketing Todd Sitrin. "Consumers have voted with their dollars, and the vote is in – this is the best version of Madden … Continue reading EA Claims Huge Madden Launch →