Game Stars, the UK’s nationwide Network TV annual awards show which celebrates great video and computer games as entertainment, is to be rolled out as a major new TV series in 2005. In planning for a late Summer/Autumn broadcast, the program is expected to include 10 episodes and a special from the major consumer games exhibition that takes place at London’s ExCeL. The series will culminate in an hour-long special Game Stars awards program. Game Stars, which has been broadcast on ITV 1 and ITV 2 at Easter as a one-off special, gives the nation and its gamers the chance … Continue reading Game Stars Coming To UK TV →

The first publicly-available version of The Universal is here! The Universal is a free, massively-multiplayer online game set in a virtual 3d universe of worlds owned and run by other players. Created by Games For May, an independent team of volunteers from the games industry, The Universal brings a totally unique approach to the popular massively-multiplayer gaming genre. "The Universal is completely free to play, unlike other titles that charge players to maintain their alternative virtual lives," said Mitchell Goodwin, creator and lead programmer. "What's more, The Universal gives players a unique chance to participate in game design and development … Continue reading The Universal, Free MMRPG Launches →

THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), today announced that it has entered a multi-year agreement with Lucasfilm Ltd., which grants THQ Wireless the worldwide rights to develop and distribute a comprehensive offering of Star Wars branded content for mobile phones. With THQ Wireless¹ unique combination of game, personalization, information services and messaging expertise, the suite of products is expected to span almost every genre of wireless entertainment and include a wide range of content from the entire Star Wars saga, including the massively popular Star Wars Trilogy and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith–the … Continue reading The Force Goes Mobile →

Chinese students interested in working in the burgeoning fields of video game development and animation now have a new opportunity to further their education in the San Francisco Bay Area, home to some of the world's leading companies in gaming and animation. The Art Institute of California – San Francisco ( http://www.aicasf.aii.edu ) today announced it has signed an international articulation agreement with Xi'an International University ( http://www.xaiu.com ) in the Shaan Xi Province of The Peoples Republic of China. The agreement acknowledges transfer credits to students who have completed certain courses at the Chinese university and are interested in … Continue reading Chinese Students Studying Game Design →

Konami Digital Entertainment – America, a division of Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc, today announced the signing of U.S. National Team defensive star player Eddie Pope as the official cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8. The game will be released this spring on the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, PC DVD-ROM and, for the first time, on the Xbox video game system. "As one of the greatest defenders in the history of U.S. Soccer, Eddie Pope has redefined his position and is truly the perfect cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8," said Rob Goff, Product Manager at Konami Digital Entertainment – … Continue reading Eddie Pope Gets Winning Eleven 8 Cover →

Puppy Games today announced the release of Super Dudester, their new action title for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. Super Dudester is the first-prize winning entry from Sun Microsystems Java Games Competition earlier this year (then called "Super Elvis"). "Our latest game is an accessible hardcore shooter, with fun for all abilities," said Caspian Rychlik-Prince, MD at PUPPY GAMES. "This time our aim was to produce an action game that can be played inside just ten minutes from start to finish, and which gives a different experience every time for unlimited replayability." Super Dudester is a mixture of exploring, … Continue reading Puppy Releases Super Duster →

Strategy games publisher Paradox Interactive announced today, that the much-awaited sequel to the multiple award-winning Hearts of Iron, has gone gold. The game will be released in North America, Scandinavia, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Poland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Portugal and Mexico and available in stores in the beginning of 2005. In Hearts of Iron 2, you are the supreme leader of a country of your choosing during the tumultuous struggle of World War II, with the goal of winning the War through warfare and diplomacy. To achieve your goals you need to guide your … Continue reading Hearts Of Iron 2 Goes Gold →

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) today announced that the companies have been collaborating on bringing advanced graphics technology and computer entertainment technology to SCEI's highly anticipated next-generation computer entertainment system. Both companies are jointly developing a custom graphics processing unit (GPU) incorporating NVIDIA's next-generation GeForce and SCEI's system solutions for next-generation computer entertainment systems featuring the Cell* processor. This collaboration is made under a broad, multi-year, royalty-bearing agreement. The powerful custom GPU will be the graphics and image processing foundation for a broad range of applications from computer entertainment to broadband applications. The agreement will … Continue reading Sony, Nvidia, Working On New Console →

Get ready for the ultimate knockdown! Electronic Arts (Nasdaq: ERTS) announced today that Bernard Hopkins, the Middleweight Champion of the World, will serve as the official spokesman and cover athlete for EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 2. The sequel to this year's hit boxing video game will be released in March 2005 under the EA SPORTS brand for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox video game system from Microsoft and the Nintendo GameCube. Nicknamed "the Executioner," Hopkins is hailed as one of the world's best fighters after defeating Oscar De La Hoya in September 2004 to claim the belt for … Continue reading Bernard Hopkins makes Fight Night Cover →

LucasArts is pleased to announce today the release of the highly anticipated Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords for the Xbox. The PC version will release in February 2005. The Sith Lords, the next chapter to the award winning game of 2003, picks up five years after the events of the original KOTOR and features an all-new perilous storyline, as well as new characters, classes, locations and force powers. The Jedi, nearly brought to an end by the Sith, are on the brink of extinction. The galaxy is in turmoil and the Republic no longer … Continue reading Knights of the Old Republic II Ships →