Codemasters and Sega Racing Studio

Codemasters today announced that it has reached an agreement with Sega that facilitates accelerated growth for Codemasters Studios. With immediate effect, Codemasters is to take over the Sega Racing Studio, based in Solihull, central England.

“In seizing this opportunity, we have created additional resources to escalate our plans in the racing segment,” said Rod Cousens, chief executive, Codemasters. “We hope to welcome more than 40 people to the company and we have enjoyed the full co-operation of our friends at Sega in making this happen. It is good business for Codemasters, an exciting prospect and there will be more to come as we are not content to stand still.”

Mad Catz Introduces Wii Fit Kit

Mad Catz, a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider announced today the release of an exciting new range of accessories compatible with the Nintendo Wii Fit system.

Currently featuring a range of four individual, unique and innovative accessories, each product has been thoughtfully designed to enhance and maximize exercise regimes.

The Wii Fit Rechargeable Battery Pack plugs quickly and simply into the Wii Fit balance board, eliminating the need to purchase expensive batteries. Providing up to 20 hours of game play from a single charge, the Rechargeable Battery Pack draws power from the Wii’s own USB output, removing the need for a separate power pack and keeping obtrusive wires to a bare minimum.

Fashioned from high quality weather-resistant materials, the Wii Fit Travel/Storage Case provides ample space for the balance board, software and accessories. Durable and practical, the Wii Fit Travel/Storage Case provides an ideal solution to housing and transporting your Wii Fit balance board when not in use.

Designed with comfort and safety in mind, the Wii Fit Exercise Mat adds increased stability and protection to any Wii Fit workout. Protecting the user when playing on a potentially slippery or hazardous surface, the Wii Fit Exercise Mat features a durable textured surface which improves traction whilst helping decrease impact during intensive workouts.

Keeping the hardware in premium working condition, the Wii Fit Protective Silicone Cover attaches instantly to the balance board, protecting the unit from outside elements and damage. Constructed from lightweight yet durable silicone, the Wii Fit Protective Silicone Cover provides stylish protection and helps ensure accurate operation of the Wii Fit balance board.

Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz commented, “Wii Fit is yet another example of how gaming continues to grow in an organic fashion, providing a compelling experience for the entire family. Mad Catz is delighted to further enhance this innovative release with a range of useful and eclectic accessories which we feel will prove enticing to consumers everywhere”.

The Mad Catz range of Wii Fit compatible accessories is expected to be available across Europe in April 2008 and the United States in May 2008.

NLGD Opens Call for Papers

The NLGD today announced that it has opened its call for papers for possible speakers at the NLGD Game Conference, June 18-20 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Potential speakers are invited to submit their ideas for lectures, workshops and roundtables over the next week. All lecture and session proposals should cover one or more of the Avenues of Exploration that the NLGD has set for the conference. The deadline for the call for papers is May 1, 2008.

The NLGD also confirmed the following speakers for its upcoming Game Conference: Heather Chandler (Executive Producer and founder of Media Sunshine, Inc.), Ben Sawyer (Co-Founder of Digitalmill), and Chris Swain (Professor, University of Southern California).

After several years in the trenches of video game production at Electronic Arts, Activision, and Ubisoft, Heather Chandler started her own development studio. During her eleven years on the front lines of the games industry, she has contributed to the production of over 35 games, including the first seven games in the Ghost Recon series.

Chandler will be leading a 2-hour work shop session focusing on the production cycle of a fictitious game, some of the problems it encountered, and how the production team solved them.

Ben Sawyer is the co-founder of Digitalmill. He has worked in, and covered game development, for over eight years.

Sawyer will talk about the serious games field, providing strong definitions and a well-built platform on what is needed to make serious games. He will also provide tools for attendees to better understand the serious games market.

Chris Swain is a game designer, educator, and co-author of the textbook Game Design Workshop. He co-directs the EA Game Innovation Lab at USC. His work has received many awards including Time Magazine's Best of the Web.

Swain will present best practices in game development processes. He will provide tools and metrics, in order to reveal different approaches to game development.

“When I was invited to speak at the NLGD Game Conference it did not take me long to say ‘Yes’,” said Swain. “It is an excellent opportunity to reach a new audience as I present Master Metrics 2.0 in Utrecht.”

GOLDEN TRAILER AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINEES FOR NINTH ANNUAL AWARDS SHOW

Hammer Creative garnered three of the five nominations from the 9th Annual Golden Trailer Awards for Best Video Game Trailer. This year's nominations for Hammer include ASSASSIN'S CREED (Ubisoft), MASS EFFECT (BioWare Corp. and Microsoft Game Studios), and THE SIMPSONS GAME: MEDAL OF HOMER (Electronic Arts). "These nominations are a real tribute to the entire Hammer video game group, spearheaded by Jim Botko and Scott Hayman," commented Hammer Creative founder Mark Pierce. “We value the opportunity to work with these top publishers and help launch their AAA games.”

D2C GAMES REVEALS NEW SCREENSHOTS, DEFINITION OF SPOGS RACING

D2C Games, Inc. a premier developer and publisher of mass-market downloadable interactive entertainment, today revealed a new batch of screenshots from its upcoming WiiWare title, SPOGS Racing.

In addition, the company has decided to clear up a question that numerous gamers have raised since the game's announcement: What, exactly, is a SPOG?!

First, to dispel the rumors, here are several examples of what 'SPOGS' does not stand for:

•Schizophrenic Psychotics Owning Guns and Shooting: The Game (a delightful World War II romp)
•Some People Often Golf Sloshed: The Game (this one already came out - it's called golf)
•Spelunking Pays Off Great . . . Sometimes: The Game (a spiritual successor to Pitfall)

In reality, SPOGS stands for 'Sports Player Object Gyros.' This name was deliberately chosen because there is - scientifically - no other way to describe the unique characters in the high-speed arcade racer. There is no relation to British candy. Please do not attempt to eat SPOGS Racing.

For more information, visit www.spogsracing.com.

Free2Play Server for Bounty Bay Online PC Video game

Frogster launches Free2Play Server for Bounty Bay Online

Free version of nautical MMOG with integrated item shop available

German publisher Frogster Interactive has just launched a free2play Bounty Bay Online server. This new alternative to the existing subscription based server will allow players to join the nautical MMOG free of charge. The game client is free to download at http://bountybayonline.com.

The new free2play server called “Mary Read” features an integrated online shop where players can buy precious ingame items such as potions, figureheads, treasure maps or level boosts. Depending on their value, the price of these items range from 3 cents upwards. The new server model for Bounty Bay Online allows players with limited playing time to achieve more - in less time. Frogster has thoroughly revamped the website to better serve the players. The website has been restructured to be more clear and easier to navigate and now includes new features such the new items shop.

The new free2play server will not affect the established subscription server. All current subscribers will be able to access Bounty Bay Online the way they are used to. Yusho will be providing regular updates for both servers and the support team will be expanded, thus raising the service standards for both servers. An FAQ for the new free2play server is available on http://www.bountybayonline.com/FAQEn.

NEW PLAYABLE CHARACTER FOR ZOMBIE BBQ - MOMOTARO JOINS THE ZOMBIE PARTY!

Gammick Entertainment and Enjoy Up present the second playable character of Zombie BBQ - Momotaro.

Storyland is infested with zombies! Little Red Riding Hood has whipped out her weapon and is locked and loaded, ready to end the threat of the undead. But she will not be alone: Momotaro, the peach boy who’s recently arrived from Japanese folklore, will join her on this dangerous crusade. But… what powers and secrets does this legendary character hold?

Momotaro is the second selectable character in Zombie BBQ. He can access the arsenal of weapons in the game, and shoot their enemies… whenever he has snatched enough weapons from his enemies' cold dead hands! From a lethal laser rifle to a sawed-off shotgun and moving up to an incredibly powerful flame thrower or 'Zombie BBQer', Momotaro will have at his disposal plenty of firepower to take on enemies such as the ferocious Granny, the undead Gretel and Pinocchio, the puppet who wanted to be a zombie boy. Not only that, while Red Riding Hood uses her trusty machine gun as a weapon by default, Momotaro launches sharp ninja stars that will spell certain doom for many of the classic characters that will rise from the grave.

You must choose: Will you control the devastating power of Little Red Riding Hood and her firearms? Or master the deadly precision of a classic Japanese legend like Momotaro? See it at www.gammickentertainment.com

Zombie BBQ will be released on Q4 2008.

GTR Evolution on PC Screenshots

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Build-A-Bear Workshop Game on Nintendo Wii

First Build-A-Bear Workshop Game For The Nintendo Wii System Scheduled For Global Release In October 2008

The Game Factory Extends Licensing Agreement With Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.

The Game Factory, an international publisher of family-friendly and casual videogames, is extending its worldwide licensing agreement with Build-A-Bear Workshop, the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The Game Factory will be publishing the first Build-A-Bear Workshop video game for Wii, entitled Build-A-Bear Workshop A Friend Fur All Seasons, which will be available in the fourth quarter 2008.

The Build-A-Bear Workshop brand entertains millions of children and families throughout the world. Since 1997, over 60 million furry friends have been made at more than 370 stores worldwide. With the launch of the Build-A-Bear Workshop Game for the Nintendo DS system in November 2007, the game has sold more than 180,000 units.

“We’re thrilled to extend our licensing agreement with Build-A-Bear Workshop to create a Wii game that the whole family can enjoy,” said Henrik Mathiasen, president of The Game Factory. “In 2007, we introduced a way for parents to share with their children the interactive Build-A-Bear Workshop experience using the Nintendo DS system. We look forward to the release of the new Build-A-Bear Workshop Wii game this holiday season, to extend the family play experience.”

"The Game Factory has done a great job translating the core values of our brand into the Wii game format, creating another way for our Guests and their families to experience the furry fun of Build-A-Bear Workshop,” said Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder and chief executive bear. “After the success of our Nintendo DS game, we are beary excited to once again partner with The Game Factory and bring our interactive fun to the Wii system.”

About the Game
Build-A-Bear Workshop A Friend Fur All Seasons for Nintendo Wii is the ultimate family-friendly game. Like a party game, up to four players can participate by personalizing their own furry friend, playing the mini games for medals, experiencing adventure mode, and using the medals to ‘purchase’ more outfits and accessories. Players can use the revolutionary Wii remote to hop their way through a sack race using the motion control function, and use the pointer function to throw flying discs or jump on a trampoline using the Wii Remote buttons. In the end, all players attend the party hosted by Bearemy and Pawlette Coufur, huggable Build-A-Bear Workshop mascots.

Created by game developer Neko Entertainment, the characters and levels in the Build-A-Bear Workshop game will be rendered in 3D and a player's choice of a furry friend, outfits and accessories will trigger a variety of animations and behaviors. Neko will also incorporate full interaction between the player and his/her furry friend to unlock mini-games that will take full advantage of Wii system.

Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS systems and Bratz Ponyz 2 for the Nintendo DS

The Game Factory Renews Licensing Agreement With MGA Entertainment To Continue Publishing Bratz Video Games

Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo Wii and DS systems and Bratz Ponyz 2 for the Nintendo DS Scheduled for Global Release in 2008

The Game Factory, an international publisher of family-friendly videogames, announced today the renewal of its worldwide publishing agreement with MGA Entertainment to market Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo Wii and DS systems, and Bratz Ponyz 2 for Nintendo DS. Following the success of the first Bratz Ponyz game launched in July 2007, the Game Factory will add the three new Bratz interactive games to their catalogue in Q4 2008.

“We’re thrilled to expand our licensing agreement with MGA this year to publish the Bratz Kidz and Ponyz games,” said Henrik Mathiasen, president of The Game Factory. “The Bratz™ brand has been a leader in the toy business for girls ages six to 12 and continues to gain recognition amongst this age group.”

"We strive to promote individuality and creativity among Bratz fans in new and innovative ways,” said Isaac Larian, President and CEO of MGA Entertainment. “We’re excited to be working with The Game Factory again this year to bring these new videogames to Bratz fans worldwide and spark their imagination while they play with their favorite characters.”

About Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo Wii
Designed for girls ages six and older, Bratz Kidz™ Party for the Wii features a collection of mini-games set in a slumber party environment. Up to four players can choose and customize any of their favorite Bratz Kidz™ characters and dress them up using a selection of 350 fashion accessories and clothing items. Players can utilize the intuitive motion controls of the Nintendo Wii system to browse the party photo album and complete missions that test their speed, endurance, reflexes and precision abilities.

Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo Wii Quick Facts:
Release Date: Fall 2008
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Rating TBA
Developer: Neko Entertainment
Publisher: The Game Factory

About Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo DS
Bratz Kidz Party for the DS features 15 fashion and beauty mini-games set in a slumber party environment and is designed for girls ages six and older. Players can choose from and customize any of their favorite Bratz Kidz characters, as well as design their own bedroom. With multiplayer capabilities, Bratz Kidz Party for the DS allows players to compete against each other using the platform’s wireless connection.

Bratz Kidz Party for the Nintendo DS Quick Facts:
Release Date: Fall 2008
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating TBA
Developer: Neko Entertainment
Publisher: The Game Factory

About Bratz Ponyz 2 for the Nintendo DS
Designed for girls ages four and older, Bratz Ponyz 2 for the DS allows players to develop their ‘passion for fashion’ by participating in the Bratz Ponyz Town beauty pageant. Players can choose from four different Bratz Ponyz, which they can dress-up with accessories collected throughout the game’s fashion, beauty, music, dancing, and arts and crafts-themed adventures. Players can also guide their Bratz Ponyz through the tropical islands to meet and befriend other Bratz Ponyz characters, exchange pictures, race their friends and compete in a drawing contest using the platform’s wireless connection.

Bratz Ponyz 2 for the Nintendo DS Quick Facts:
Release Date: Summer 2008
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating TBA
Developer: Neko Entertainment
Publisher: The Game Factory

Kart N' Crazy Beta Approaching the Finish Line

Kart n’Crazy’s beta test is drawing to a close! There are only four days to test all the race-cars and game tracks from GOA.com’s free online kart racing extravaganza. To close this beta phase, the testers will have unlimited access to all the game items this week. The beta test will finish up on the 28th April.

In order to treat all players fairly and equally, all accounts will be reset at zero, the Nitros, experience and the collected items have been deleted from the servers. However, all those taking part in the beta will receive an exclusive reward as a special thank you present when the game is released!



Kart n’Crazy, the free PC karting game from Goa.com, will be on official release and can be played online from the 29th April by logging on to http://www.goa.com/#/kartncrazyhome/.