The 19th annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) kicks off today at The Moscone Center West. More than 10,000 game industry professionals from around the world are expected to attend the gathering, which is exclusively devoted to the art, technology and business of game creation. The conference will run through March 11, 2005. GDC provides a forum for game developers to explore new techniques for next generation game design. Attendees will get a chance to hear powerhouse executives from Microsoft, Nintendo and other industry leaders paint the future of the game business. Conference-goers can also participate in more than 300 lectures, … Continue reading GDC Opens →

Sammy Studios, Inc. today announced that it has completed a management buyout from parent company Sammy Corporation of Tokyo, Japan. The private investment group led by John Rowe, president and chief operating officer of Sammy Studios, purchased all shares of the company as well as the rights to original video game properties being developed at the studio, including the upcoming console title "Darkwatch." The acquisition takes place in advance of Sammy’s integration of video game operations with Sega as the two Japanese companies merge into Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc. Sammy Studios also announced today that the company has changed its … Continue reading Sammy Studios Goes Independent; Forms High Noon Studios →

Disney Interactive, a publishing label of Buena Vista Games, Inc., today announced new details about its upcoming action/adventure title, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PSP (TM) handheld entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and PC. Inspired by the upcoming highly anticipated motion picture from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the games will launch this Holiday season, in conjunction with film's release. Prominent UK software developer Traveller's Tales is currently creating the console and PSP titles, while Griptonite … Continue reading The Chronicles of Narnia To Become Game →

The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and its members are mourning the passing of George Atkinson, who is generally considered to have been the "inventor" of video rental. Atkinson died Thursday in Los Angeles. "From George Atkinson's innovation, a tremendous industry has developed," said Bo Andersen, President of VSDA. There are now more than 24,000 video stores in the U.S. In 2004, there were 2.6 billion DVDs and VHS cassettes were rented, generating more than $8 billion in revenue. In the Fall of 1977, George Atkinson bought one Betamax and one VHS copy of each of the first 50 movie … Continue reading Game Rental Pioneer Dies →

The Entertainment Software Ratings Board unveiled a new game ranking that will fit between the E for everyone and the T for teen rank on the ratings ladder. The board had taken from heat recently about putting too lax ratings on certain games, but also from developers who felt their Everyone-aimed games were going into the Teen category. The E10+ rating will fill that void. "We found we were putting games we thought were preteen in the teen category," said Patricia Vance, president of the board. "And with the levels of sophistication in game play and graphics now, we felt … Continue reading ESRB Reveals New E10+ Rating →

Today, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest interactive game publishers, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire MC2-Microids' (Microids Canada) Canadian development operations and integrate them into its Montreal studio. The closing of this agreement is subject to requirements to be met by the two parties. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Following this agreement, Microids Canada's fifty employees will be integrated into Ubisoft's Montreal studio operations. This agreement does not cover any of MC2-Microids' intellectual property or projects currently under development.

DreamCatcher Games today announced Domination, a strategy game for Windows®, is now available in North America. Domination features a renewed global conflict between the Free Nations Union and the Phantom League on distant planets, including sci-fi land, sea and air warfare at a grand-strategy level. The game inherits all of the remarkable features of the original game and deepens the Massive Assault player experience through increased gameplay options and new strategic challenges. "With hundreds of hours of game play and thousands of units to control, this game will keep you occupied until sometime this summer," said Byron Gaum, Product Manager … Continue reading DreamCatcher's Domination Ships →

Ubisoft, one of the world's largest video game publishers, announced that its highly anticipated submarine simulation, Silent Hunter III, for PC DVD, has gone gold. The game is set to launch March 15 at the manufacturer's suggested retail price of $39.99 – rated "T" for Teen. The latest title in the Silent Hunter franchise will add new dimensions to the simulation experience, where players will assume the role of U-boat commander, become immersed in a dynamic ocean environment and experience the intensity of WWII submarine warfare. The all-new 3D engine features impressive details such as historically accurate U-boat models that … Continue reading Silent Hunter III Goes Gold →

Video gamers aren’t going to have to travel any further than their local Scion dealership to compete for cash and a 2005 Scion xB in the National VGL Video Gaming Tournament, which begins this spring. The local tournaments will be held in twenty-eight metro markets throughout the United States. Scion has signed a one-year sponsorship agreement as a top level VGL tournament sponsor. Janet Catinna, Vice President of Turn-Key Marketing Services, brokered the sponsorship. The tour, which is made up of two tournament seasons, is produced and managed by the Video Gamers League (VGL) of Dallas, TX and Turn-Key Marketing … Continue reading Scion Dealers To Host VGL Tournaments →

RedOctane announced today that it has established a new division of the company dedicated to publishing software. Their first title for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system will be announced in Spring 2005. "Launching into a new business segment with the publishing of video games is a natural evolution for us," said Kai Huang, president of RedOctane. " We are committed to delivering the same high quality and fun found in our peripherals with the upcoming RedOctane software line." The game will join a prestigious line of award winning RedOctane video game accessories.