Category Archives: News and Industry Happenings

EA Adds Features To Fantasy Football

EA SPORTS Fantasy Football from Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), kicked off the first fantasy football service that gives team owners the EA SPORTSâ„¢ Edge, a sliding analyzer tool, to optimize their lineups and offers fantasy updates in Madden NFL 06. EA SPORTS Fantasy Football is the only online fantasy football service that gives an optimal level of team management capabilities, player insights and enhanced must-have fantasy features such as live scoring, in-depth analysis, online drafts, real time injury reports, and more. Plus the EA SPORTS Fantasy Football Commissioner service offers the highest caliber Commissioner tools for half the price of … Continue reading EA Adds Features To Fantasy Football

Hi Hi Puffy AniYumi To Get Game

D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, today announced a licensing agreement with Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) for the video game rights to the new hit animated series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi. D3PA will produce its first title under the agreement for Nintendo’s Game Boy Advance platform. "D3PA is delighted to announce Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi as our first major licensing contract with Cartoon Network Enterprises," said Careen Yapp, vice president of licensing and business development for D3PA. "We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with such a creative, entertaining, animated property and … Continue reading Hi Hi Puffy AniYumi To Get Game

SAG Reaches Tentative Deal With Game Firms

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) today announced they have reached tentative agreements with video game companies on new contracts. The new three-and-a-half year agreements — reached after three months of bargaining, the break-off of talks on May 13, and right before the results of a strike authorization vote by both unions was to be announced — include a 36 percent increase in minimum pay over the term, with 25 percent to be immediately implemented. In addition, the pacts contain significant increases in benefit contributions, as well as greater protections for … Continue reading SAG Reaches Tentative Deal With Game Firms

Ratings Officers Asked For Retail Stores

The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) today requested each of its member retailers to designate one of their employees as the "Ratings Compliance Officer" for the company. The Ratings Compliance Officer will be responsible for promoting adherence to the retailer’s policies regarding motion picture and video game ratings education, enforcement, and advertising and will serve as a contact person with VSDA on ratings issues. "While the best control of entertainment is parental control, home video retailers do have a role to play in helping parents ensure that their children do not gain access to movies and video games the parents … Continue reading Ratings Officers Asked For Retail Stores

Conker Goes Gold

The most popular (and lethal) squirrel in the world, Conker, is readying his plans to invade gamers’ homes as Microsoft Game Studios announced today that Conker: Live and Reloaded for Xbox has gone gold. Set to ship to retail on June 21 for a suggested retail price of $49.99 (U.S.), Conker: Live and Reloaded, developed by the award-winning team at Rare, will drop gamers onto the front lines of an epic battle between the noble Squirrels and the vicious Tediz. Gaming's notoriously naughty squirrel - Conker - arrives on Xbox with a bang in an all-new Xbox Liveâ„¢-enabled team-based shooter, … Continue reading Conker Goes Gold

Restricted Area Ships To US

Whiptail Interactive, a leading publisher of PC games, today announced that Restricted Area, its critically acclaimed action/RPG, has shipped to retail stores nationwide. Restricted Area has been a highly anticipated game in the U.S. since its release last year in Germany. Developed by Master Creating, Restricted Area shipped in Germany last year where it received accolades from consumers and critics alike. The game, which has been compared to the likes of the Fallout and Diablo series', was nominated in five categories at the 2004 German Developer Awards, including Best PC Game, Best Game Characters and Best Story/Gameworld. "We expect Restricted … Continue reading Restricted Area Ships To US

ER Ships For PC

Legacy Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment are pleased to announce the ER video game based on the acclaimed television series has shipped to retail outlets nationwide with an SRP of $29.95. Available for PC/CD-ROM, ER is rated T for Teen and is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, published by Legacy Interactive, and distributed by Vivendi Universal Games. ER captures the intensity and unpredictability of the award-winning television series for gamers. With celebrities Noah Wyle, Mekhi Phifer and Sherry Stringfield lending their voice and likeness to the game, fans will get a chance to interact with their favorite characters … Continue reading ER Ships For PC

UBI Opens Canada Studio

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's leading video game publishers, officially opens its door in the provincial capital where it intends to invest 75 M$ CAD and create 200 jobs within five years. Ubisoft will start with 75 jobs in Quebec City this year. The new production studio will be located in the heart of the Saint-Roch district at 390, Charest East. "We are in Quebec City for its talent and its dynamic nature. Our objective is to build a studio where creativity and technological know how will come together to create world class games,'' said Martin Tremblay, president and … Continue reading UBI Opens Canada Studio

Medal Of Honor European Assault Goes Gold

Electronic Arts announced today that Medal of Honor European Assault, the latest video game from EA’s acclaimed Medal of Honor franchise, has gone gold. In Medal of Honor European Assault, the story line is the star. Europe 1942. These are desperate hours for Allied forces as the Nazi war machine rages across a devastated European landscape. You are US Army Lieutenant William Holt, hand-picked by William "Wild Bill" Donovan to be the first field agent of the newly formed Office of Strategic Services-the OSS. Medal of Honor European Assault makes you the driving force in the struggle to liberate Europe. … Continue reading Medal Of Honor European Assault Goes Gold

Game Fitness System Sold For Father's Day

Nix the necktie, toss the tools, even forget the flatscreen Powergrid Fitness has made gift selection easy this Father's Day. The Company is offering, until mid-night on June 19, a HUGE Father's Day savings on the purchase of the world¹s most fun fitness machine: the Kilowatt. Powergrid Fitness is offering $500 off on the purchase of a pair and $200 off the purchase of one Kilowatt Home Edition. The resulting prices are $599.95 for one and two for only $1,099.90 so Dad can satisfy his need for speed, play with the kids, and get a workout all at the same … Continue reading Game Fitness System Sold For Father's Day