The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS), the professional organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of interactive arts, announced today that Trip Hawkins will be awarded the AIAS Hall of Fame Award, joining an elite group of interactive entertainment industry legends. Hawkins will be given the award at the 8th Annual Interactive Achievements Awards ceremony, being held at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas on February 1, the second evening of the 2005 D.I.C.E. Summit. "Trip Hawkins is one of the interactive entertainment industry's true pioneers, with credentials that are unparalleled," said Joseph Olin, President of … Continue reading Trip Hawkins Makes Hall Of Fame →

Microsoft Game Studios today announced the release date for BioWare's upcoming martial arts masterpiece, Jade Empire. The epic action-RPG game, exclusively for Xbox, is set in a world inspired by the myths and legends of ancient China and will leap into stores across North America starting on April 14, with worldwide distribution occurring shortly thereafter. Microsoft Game Studios also confirmed that it will release a Limited Edition of Jade Empire that will feature a bonus character, a bonus fighting style and a behind-the-scenes "making of " video feature on DVD produced by G4 – video game television. The bonus character, … Continue reading Jade Empire To Ship April 14 →

Ubisoft, one of the world's largest videogame publishers, today announced it will publish Puzzle Pirates, the first pirate-themed online game. In Puzzle Pirates, players play fun puzzle games to earn status and prestige. Developed by Three Rings Design, Inc., Puzzle Pirates is playable on PC, Mac and Linux. Puzzle Pirates is slated for release in April with a suggested retail price of $19.99, which includes a free month of playing time, exclusive in-game items, and special single-player, offline versions of the more popular puzzles in the game. After the first free month a monthly subscription fee of $9.95 will apply. … Continue reading UBI To Publish Puzzle Pirates →

Global video games publisher, Namco Hometek Inc. announced today that Prema Toy Co., Inc. has awarded Namco the exclusive interactive entertainment publishing rights to the classic children's entertainment property, Gumby. The deal allows Namco to create video games for all game systems, featuring Gumby and all related characters, such as Pokey, Prickle, Goo and the infamous Blockheads. Namco also has the unique opportunity for Gumby to make cameo appearances in other upcoming Namco games. "Gumby and his friends have delighted generations of kids and adults on the small screen and through traditional toys," said Jeff Lujan, Business Director, Namco Hometek … Continue reading Gumby To Get First Game →

Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced plans to publish Death, Jr., one of the most highly anticipated titles for the forthcoming PSP handheld entertainment system. Already creating a buzz in the video game industry for its surprising amount of visual effects, including a unique particle-effect system and sophisticated 3D engine which provide some of the best graphics on the PSP handheld system, Death, Jr. is emerging as a must-have title for SCEA'S new portable gaming system. "Death, Jr. is a groundbreaking title for the new PSP handheld system and a perfect compliment … Continue reading Death Jr. Coming To PSP →

Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc., today announced that cumulative sales in 2004 of its groundbreaking music game, Dance Dance Revolution (DDR), reached a staggering 1.2 million units in North America. This brings the total sales of all DDR products in North America to more than 2.5 million since the product was first introduced to home video game consoles in 2001. Dance Dance Revolution is an interactive game that is sweeping living rooms and arcades across the nation. The brand has received tremendous acclaim from a wide variety of sources due to its simple … Continue reading Dance Game Tops A Million Sales →

IGN Entertainment, a leading Internet media company serving the video game and entertainment enthusiast markets, and Prima Games, the world’s leading publisher of official game guides for computer and console games, have signed an agreement for IGN's Direct2Drive digital retail store to offer downloadable versions of Prima Guides for computer and console games. "Partnering with Direct2Drive enables us to reach an even larger customer base," said Debra Kempker, president, Prima Games. "IGN has a large, built-in audience for our game strategy guides, with web sites that attract more than 20 million game enthusiasts each month. Gamers will now have the … Continue reading Prima Strategy Guides Available Online →

Computer and video game software sales set a new record in 2004, reaching $7.3 billion, according to final data compiled by the NPD Group and announced today by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The industry's impact is illustrated further through other data showing that Halo 2®, one of the best-selling titles of 2004, took in more revenue in its first day of sales than any movie has ever taken in its opening day. In addition, according to industry data, Nintendo sold over 1 million units of its new handheld game system, Nintendo DS, in North America by the end of … Continue reading Game Sales Reach 7.3 Billion →

Today, Ubisoft, one of the world's largest videogame publishers, announced an exclusive multi-title licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) to develop and publish games based on "Open Season" and "Surf's Up," the first two feature-length animated films from Sony Pictures Animation. This collaboration represents Ubisoft's first venture into adapting CGI films for the videogame market and the beginning of a long-term collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation and SPCP. Furthermore, it reinforces Ubisoft's efforts to maintain a diverse portfolio that appeals to gamers of all ages. In the action-adventure comedy "Open Season," Boog (Martin Lawrence), a happily domesticated grizzly … Continue reading Sony, Ubisoft Ink Multi-title Deal →

Rustle up some "live" ammo and head out to Dead Hen’s Pass for some serious bounty hunting!…Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS), the world’s leading interactive entertainment software company today announced that "Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath," the latest chapter in the critically acclaimed Oddworld series, has begun to ship to retail outlets for the Xbox video game system from Microsoft. One of the most anticipated titles of 2005, "Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath" takes the series in a new direction, combining first and third person gameplay with signature Oddworld humor and storytelling. "Oddworld Stranger’s Wrath" challenges players to step into the role of the Stranger, … Continue reading New Oddworld Game Ships →