Perpetual Entertainment, developer of the upcoming massively multi-player online game Star Trek Online under license from Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, announced that Michael Okuda has joined the Star Trek Online development team as design consultant, at this past weekend's Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. Well known as the creator of the unique graphic user interface for the Star Trek computer system LCARS (Library Computer Access and Retrieval System), Okuda will be working with Perpetual to integrate the same look-and-feel into the game’s own interface, as well as to help visualize the future of the Star Trek universe. Taking … Continue reading Star Trek Staffer Joins Game Developer →

Emergent Game Technologies, a venture capital funded developer of the Emergent Platform, a suite of video game tools and online infrastructure, and NDL, a leading developer of 3D graphics technology for the computer and video game industry, have merged. The combined company, Emergent Game Technologies, will deliver the most comprehensive and innovative tools and technologies that game developers need to create better games on time and on budget. "Through licensing of the Gamebryo graphics engine and tools since 1997, NDL has developed a reputation of delivering solid and flexible technology while providing superior customer support. We will build on that … Continue reading NDL, Emergent Merge →

Bethesda Game Studios announced today that actress Lynda Carter will lend her voice talents to the award-winning videogame, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Developed for both the Xbox 360 videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PC platforms, Oblivion is one of the year's most highly-anticipated games and sequel to the best-selling role playing game of 2002, Morrowind. Already receiving accolades in the games industry, Oblivion was recently voted "RPG of Show" by the Best of E3 Game Critics Awards, and Xbox.com called the game "one of the best-looking games ever seen." Created by Bethesda Softworks, Oblivion will launch this … Continue reading Lynda Carter Joins Elder Scrolls Cast →

Microsoft announced today that there will be two different Xbox systems set to go at launch. A supped up model will cost $399 while the basic one, called the Core System, will go on sale for $299. The Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System-along with an impressive lineup of high-definition game titles from the world’s best publishers and developers-will make their debut in North America, Europe, and Japan in time for this holiday season, several months ahead of the competition. Although details for the Japan launch will be addressed at the Tokyo Game Show in September, the unprecedented three-region … Continue reading Microsoft To Launch Two Xbox Versions →

Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) has inked award-winning film and television composer Graeme Revell to score the soundtracks for its holiday blockbuster releases Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One. Revell, whose credits include such feature films as Sin City, Chronicles of Riddick, The Insider and The Saint will make his videogame debut using a live orchestra to capture the emotion and intensity of being on the battlefields of some of World War II’s most explosive conflicts. Graeme Revell is a New Zealand native whose highly sought-after work is recognizable by its mixture of traditional cultural … Continue reading Game Revell To Score Call Of Duty 2 →

A Sex Special Interest Group (Sex SIG) has formed within the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) to address the challenges and possibilities for adult content within games. The Sex SIG, which has been in the making since the 2005 Game Developers Conference last March, will provide an outlet where information can be shared among developers and those who wish to enter the field. "The Sex SIG will serve as an arena for developers to address the issues and challenges facing the use of adult sexual content in video games," said Brenda Brathwaite, Sex SIG Chair/Founder and Lead Designer on Playboy: … Continue reading Developers Form Special Sex Group →

Women In Games International, a newly-formed organization in the interactive entertainment industry, announced today their debut conference in a series, the Women in Games International Conference-Seattle at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington. Titled "Advancing Your Career in Game Development: The Women’s Perspective," the conference is scheduled 1 pm to 6 pm on Saturday, September 10. The inaugural Women in Games International Conference has been created as a forum to discuss a wide range of issues related to women in games. This free-to-attend seminar will provide useful information for women and men, as well as new and veteran game developers, with topics … Continue reading Women In Games Conference Announced →

Celeris Inc., a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced the release of its critically acclaimed simulation software Virtual Pool Mobile for Palm PDAs using the Palm OS 5. Now available for $19.95 on the web at http://celeris.com/games/VPMobile, the company also announced that Virtual Pool Mobile would soon be available for the Dell X50v and Nokia Series 60 PDAs. Virtual Pool Mobile was recently nominated by Pocket PC magazine for the 2005 Best Software Award in the "Simulations" category for both the Pocket PC and the Smartphone. "For over a decade, Virtual Pool has been the standard by … Continue reading Virtual Pool Jumps To PDA →

Gizmondo Europe Ltd subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc (other OTC, TGTL), has rescheduled the launch of the Gizmondo multi-entertainment handheld in North America from its original 11th August street date in favor of targeting the more active fourth quarter sales period commencing in October. Two USA-specific pieces of software in development had originally prompted a summer launch. A much anticipated satellite navigation package utilizing the unique GPS functionality, and, an as yet unannounced highly significant game title for the North American market, have been subject to short delays. Consultation with US retailers has influenced the move to a … Continue reading Gizmondo Launch Delayed →

Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer, announced today that it has acquired Ratbag Holdings Pty Ltd., a game development studio based in Adelaide, South Australia. Midway acquired the privately-held developer in a primarily stock transaction for 418,570 Midway shares. The studio is currently working on several unannounced Midway products for both current- and next-generation systems. The studio will be renamed Midway Studios – Australia. Midway’s President and Chief Executive Officer David F. Zucker commented, "This transaction is consistent with our strategy of adding depth to our internal product development organization and strengthening our ability to … Continue reading Midway Gets Ratbag →