The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) called on the Malaysian government to increase its level of intellectual property protection after it was included in a "Watch List" of countries announced today by Peter Allgeier, the Acting United States Trade Representative (USTR). The ESA applauded the USTR's action in placing Malaysia and other countries involved in widespread game piracy on the list. "Malaysia is the primary source of pirated optical disc entertainment software in the world," said Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the trade association representing U.S. computer and video game publishers. "The prevalence of pirated products and their export from … Continue reading ESA Blasts Malaysian Piracy →

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that it is partnering with the University of Southern California – School of Cinema Television to offer game players and aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to participate in a cinema contest. The Sims 2 Student Life Movie Contest invites ambitious movie creators to use The Sims 2, the No.1 selling PC game of 2004, to create short films with its in-game movie making feature. With its award winning game play, The Sims 2 allows players to control their Sims from the cradle to the grave while fulfilling Sims' life goals and aspirations. This is the … Continue reading EA Hosts Sims 2 Cinema Contest →

Today iGames, North America’s leading game center organization, announced a Game Center License (GCL) agreement with Ubisoft, one of the world’s largest videogame publishers. Under the terms of the agreement, Ubisoft will license its games to iGames as part of its GCL program in North America. As part of the GCL program, iGames will negotiate licensing agreements exclusively for its rapidly expanding network of more than 600 game centers and provide guidelines to them throughout the execution process. Under this agreement, game centers will purchase legal game copies directly through iGames, allowing Ubisoft to ensure that their games are used … Continue reading IGames Partners With UbiSoft →

Topware Interactive Inc. has officially entered the North American market as both a publisher and distributor of PC and console entertainment software. All three principals of Topware Interactive Inc.: Alexandra Constandache -owner, Dirk Hassinger – CEO, and James Seaman – Managing Director, are part of the prominent European game producers, Zuxxez AG of Germany. Headquartered in Las Vegas, it is the mission of Topware Interactive Inc., to not only release new and back catalog Zuxxez titles, but to provide a well founded and ethical means of distribution for all third party developers. "We have thought about publishing in the United … Continue reading Topware Enters North America →

Board gaming has taken on monstrous proportions with the release of Monsters Menace America, the newest title from iconic strategy board game brand AVALON HILL, published by Seattle-based hobby game leader Wizards of the Coast (NYSE: HAS). In the game, players control campy, B-movie monsters who stomp, crush, burn, and battle their way across North America en route to becoming the biggest, baddest giant monster on the continent. The object of the game? Stomp cities, grow in power and infamy, defeat the National Guard and make yours the last monster standing! "Monsters Menace America lets players crush their least favorite … Continue reading Monsters Menace America Board Game Ships →

Midway Games Inc., a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, announced today that AREA 51 the story-driven, first-person action thriller has shipped to retail outlets nationwide for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. AREA 51 will also be available for PC and is scheduled to ship on May 23, 2005. Midway has created an action-thriller that features an intense storyline packed with scripted events, an arsenal of both human and alien weapons, and powerful multiplayer modes that allow up to 16 players to battle it out online. Midway is a … Continue reading Midway Launches Area 51 →

Evil has a new face in video games as Majesco Entertainment (NASDAQ: COOL), an innovative provider of diversified products and content for digital entertainment platforms, today announced Raze's Hell has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Available exclusively for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft for a suggested retail price of $19.99, Raze's Hell is a fiendishly fun action-shooter set in a fantasy world overrun by monstrously cute creatures. Raze's Hell puts players in the role of Raze, a hideous-looking hero, whose purpose is to stop an invasion of adorable characters (known as Kewletts) and restore his planet to its … Continue reading Raze's Hell Ships →

You might think that Everquest or World of Warcraft are the most popular online games. Well, they could be in their category, but the much simpler flash or java based internet games attract millions of secretaries and managers in order to utilize their empty minutes for throwing penguins, or playing online Snooker. Online Snooker, as during the first four days of the Snooker World Championship in Sheffield 98 600 players have registered on the www.flyordie.com website, in order to play one of the best online Snooker game. Thus the Hungarian game developer has recorded the 4 millionth registration recently. A … Continue reading Online Players Snooker For Champ →

NCsoft Europe can today confirm its attendance at Britain’s newest comic exhibition, Comic Expo. A major new comic event in the UK, Comic Expo runs from May 14th to 15th at the British Empire & Commonwealth Exhibition Hall and the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Bristol. Comic Expo will be attended by a host of prestigious comic creators, including J. Michael Straczynski (Babylon 5, Rising Stars, Midnight Nation), Michael Avon Oeming (Powers), Gary Frank (Supreme Power), Dave Gibbons (Watchmen), Alan Davis (JLA: The Nail, Excalibur) Brian Bolland (Judge Dredd) and many more. With two days of talks, workshops, events and a … Continue reading NC Soft Heads To Comic Convention →

The new JAAKS Mortal Kombat TV Game has joined the Game Industry News prize pool, courtesy of the fine folks at JAKKS Pacific. The game features all the great Mortal Kombat arcade action, yet is housed in a controller that plugs directly into your TV. It has a great number of features, including Reptile as a hidden character. Nate Wooley, publisher of Game Industry News said, "Every week we love to give away something great to one of the readers of our free weekly newsletter. And this prize really takes the cake because it's really fun to play and simple … Continue reading Mortal Kombat TV Game Joins Prize Pool →