Rise of the Video Game: Discovery Channel Special

Here in the US the Discovery channel has been running a fascinating documentary series about the rise (and fall) of the video game world.

On the first documentary it is shown how many ICONS of the video world were born
in the first wave of the video game boom (70's early 80's) and how thanks to limited resources, creativity was king (PacMan,Defender, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Space Invaders, The Atari 2600, Pong )

...until the inevitable take over by the corporate world.
Creators were fired from the companies they created, an a more business mentality took over the whole industry.

After this there was a period of market over kill that drove quality to the ground.
And a lot creators and developers (the one who brought the boom in the first place) where left on the street.

One infamous example shiining example of games of this era is "ET the game" .
12 million copies of the games were produced at a time that ONLY 10 million users of the Atari 2600 existed. And to make matter worst the game was REALLY BAD.
So bad that most of them ended up used as landfill in New Mexico (true story) .
The result of this fiasco, and more like it, was the first video game market crash of the 80's.

For more information check out their site:
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/video-game/video-game.html

Ben 10 Skins A Blast Down Under for DS video games

Wrapstar has teamed up with D3P to produce Ben 10 skins for a promotional campaign in Australia.

The Ben 10 skins were used as a promotional giveaway with copies of the new Nintendo DS Ben 10 game in an exclusive deal with Australian retail giant Toys ‘R’ Us.

The campaign has been so popular that over 600 units were sold in the game’s first week of release, more than any other format or retailer down under.

Wrapstar has much previous success with producing promotional skins. Past pre-order campaigns have included skins for EA’s My Sims title as well as Atari’s Arthur and The Invisibles and Tamagotchi.

Wrapstar skins are a distinctive way to customise, refresh and protect gaming machines and iPods. Made of unique high-quality cast vinyl, the skins are designed to maintain a vibrant, glossy finish and to resist general wear and tear. Wrapstar’s top-secret special adhesive also ensures that no sticky goo is left behind on your device upon removal of the skin.

The range now includes many new and existing designs as well as promotional skins and licensed designs, such as Wrapstar’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) skins.

Wrapstar Managing Director Max Haddow says, “Wrapstar’s Promotional skins allow publishers and developers to brand gaming machines with their titles. These act as a constant reminder to the user as well as having the added benefit of continual advertisement of their brands to a wider audience. The benefits of using our skins as an added value, pre-order campaign or bundle deal has seen huge uplifts in sales of the software, particularly with Ben 10”.

The full range of designs can be viewed on the website at www.wrapstar-skins.com

Wrapstar skins are available online via Amazon and GAME and the RFU range can be purchased in-store at Twickenham or online via RFU.

Atari UK unaffected by US shake-up

Atari Inc stock drops further but UK reaffirms its own positive business position

The share price of US-based Atari Inc dropped further in the past 24 hours - another 5 per cent to USD 1.69, continuing the fall since the beginning of the week that's seen 15 per cent wiped off the value and a declaration of an uncertain future for the company.

That contrasts with Atari UK, who today stressed that the problems in the US do not affect it in any way.

Atari UK's head of PR Lee Kirton told GamesIndustry.biz that work on key titles, such as Alone in the Dark, was continuing as planned and that the company was pleased with the sales to date of The Witcher.

The action RPG based on the novels by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski has sold 11,000 copies and remains in the PC top ten four weeks since launch.

"We are pleased that the game has sold consistently, and feel that it has made good progress for a new IP and we continue to support and focus on the product brand.

"We have some very exciting titles being released with My Horse and Me and Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation which are released today - plus later there's Jenga and Legendary: The Box on Xbox 360, as well as some new titles to be announced soon."

Alone in the Dark is one of the company's highest-profile titles, set for release on multiple platforms, although a specific date has not yet been disclosed.

NEW PAINT BY DS ARTWORK AND VIDEO RELEASE

See the professional's artwork before you try it yourself in Paint by DS

Mercury Games today released new artwork from the Paint by DS game and a new video showing the game in action.

Paint by DS is a digital colouring book which enables the player to recreate masterpieces by renowned artists such as Hokusai, Cezanne and Van Gogh, in their own artistic style. The player uses the DS stylus to mix oil and water-based paints to create colours and consistencies and then paint the artwork.

The game is published by Mercury Games and distributed by Atari in the UK. The game will be released in December 2007, priced at £19.99/€24.99.

Atari restructure

Atari, Inc. to Realign Cost Structure - - Atari, Inc. to Grant the Test Drive License to Infogrames for Future Development
Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), an interactive entertainment company, today announced the company will re-focus its operations on publishing and distribution in North America, completing its withdrawal from the production business. Atari also announced that it has licensed its Test Drive franchise to Infogrames Entertainment, S.A. ("IESA") under an agreement which includes a $5 million advance royalty.

Restructuring Initiative

Atari has determined to focus its resources on the publishing and distribution segments of the rapidly growing video game business. The Company's operations will involve title acquisition, sales and marketing, and physical distribution of products from IESA, its 51% shareholder, and other selected partners.

In line with that goal, Atari has agreed in principle with IESA to terminate its Production Services Agreement in the near future. As a result, Atari will no longer provide production and quality assurances services to IESA. Rather, Atari plans to transfer certain employees and contract other staff on a project basis for a limited period of time.

As part of the company restructuring, Atari, Inc. will reduce its current workforce in order to re-align the Company's cost structure with its on-going business base.

Atari Announces Departure of Chief Executive Officer
Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR), an interactive entertainment company, today announced that David Pierce has resigned his position as Atari's Chief Executive Officer under the terms of his employment agreement. Curtis G. Solsvig III, Chief Restructuring Officer, will assume Mr. Pierce's responsibilities on an interim basis. An executive search has been initiated to find Mr. Pierce's successor.

"We appreciate David's support and commitment through a difficult period in the Company's history and wish him well in his future endeavors." said Gene Davis, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Heart-Stopping Action Of 'Alone In The Dark' Comes To Wii And PlayStation 2

Atari's Apocalyptic Action Blockbuster Coming to Five Platforms, Gameplay Uniquely Adapted to Wii Control System

Atari today announced that its forthcoming apocalyptic action blockbuster Alone in the Dark will launch for Wii and Playstation®2 in addition to Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3, and Windows. Alone in the Dark will continue the legacy of innovation started by the first Alone in the Dark game with state-of-the-art technology driving a captivating and entertaining original gameplay experience.

Developed by Hydravision, Alone in the Dark for Wii and PS2 follows the same story as the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC version, where over the course of one apocalyptic night, hero Edward Carnby must uncover the earth-shattering secret hidden in New York’s iconic Central Park.

Hydravision has tackled the innovative and highly advanced technology driving Alone in the Dark on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC head-on, using the company’s wealth of experience and proven technology. The versions for Wii and PS2 have been developed in parallel specifically to take full advantage of each console’s capabilities. Both games push the hardware hard, incorporating many of the gameplay features found in the Xbox 360 version. On the Wii, the control system is specially adapted to make full use of the Remote and Nunchuck to manipulate objects in real-time, a key gameplay feature of Alone in the Dark, enhancing the player’s immersion in the experience.

“Realising the enormous ambition of Alone in the Dark is a huge technological challenge, which becomes even more demanding on Wii and PlayStation 2,” said Mathias Hautefort, Executive Vice President of publishing and production, Atari. “However, we’re certain players will be impressed with what Hydravision have achieved on the two consoles, not least with the Wii game which is perfectly adapted to the gameplay thanks to the console’s unique controllers.”

Designed in the spirit of blockbuster entertainment and inspired by the gripping style of contemporary TV dramas, Alone in the Dark delivers a new level of narrative intensity, packed with action, plot twists and nail-biting cliff-hangers. With a story written by Eden Games and scripted by New York Times best-selling writer Lorenzo Carcaterra, Alone in the Dark sees one of video gaming’s original innovators return to deliver an outstanding action gaming experience.

ASTERIX AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES - OUT NOW!

Video Game of the Film Available Now Across Europe for PlayStation 2, Nintendo DSTM, Wii and PC, Featuring Unique Blend of Live Action, CGI and Gameplay Animation

Atari today announced that the video game Asterix at the Olympic Games for PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™, Wii and PC is available now at retailers across Europe. The game of the forthcoming live action feature film of the same name, Asterix at the Olympic Games combines live action elements from the film with high-end computer generated and video game animation to deliver fans an original and highly entertaining Asterix experience.

Join Asterix, Obelix and his faithful hound Dogmatix on the road to Greece as they run to the aid of love stricken friend Alafolix. Much fun and madcap adventuring follows as Asterix and his friends enter the fray in their own inimitable style, coming head to head with Brutus, his muscle-bound champion, and of course their ultimate archenemy, the mighty Julius Caesar.

“Atari has a highly successful history of publishing high quality video games based on the universally popular Asterix brand, with over three million games sold in Europe to date,” said Mathias Hautefort, Executive Vice President of publishing and production, Atari. “With this game we’re assuring the continuation of that success by delivering something highly original, of excellent quality, and great fun in a way that only Asterix can be.”

The Wii, PS2 and PC versions of the game feature two gameplay modes: the adventure mode follows the story playing as either Asterix or Obelix, switching characters on the fly and unlocking sporting challenges along the way, while the antique mode lets players play as any one of 12 characters and go head to head with either the computer or a friend in a host of riotous contests. In the Nintendo DS game players take the role of either Asterix or Obelix through more than 120 sporting challenges to become the ultimate victor.

Asterix at the Olympic Games is developed by Etranges Libellules in close collaboration with Asterix licensor Les Editions Albert René and with film production company La Petite Reine. The live action feature film has the biggest production budget of any film in European cinema history and is scheduled for release across Europe in early 2008. For more information about Atari’s entire product line up, visit www.atari.com.

Atari: Hanging On By A Thread

Pretty soon, it's likely that we won't have Atari to kick around anymore.

The embattled videogame publisher, having already sold off most of its major game franchises and in danger of losing its flagship Dragon Ball titles, has filed a quarterly earnings report with the SEC that paints a bleak picture of a company on the rocks.

Reporting an $11.9 million quarterly loss, Atari said outright in the statement that the company has "substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern."

A going concern is a company that will "continue to operate indefinitely, and will not go out of business and liquidate assets."
Atari notes that its only current line of credit is in real danger of being canceled by the lenders "if, as is likely, we fail to meet financial covenants."

Atari's hottest property right now is the fact that it produces games based on the Dragon Ball Z animated series, but it notes in the SEC report that license holder FUNimation is currently pursuing a breach of contract notice and is attempting to pull the games from Atari.

Atari's plans to save itself, such as they are, have been to sell off its internal studios* and divest itself of valuable properties like Stuntman, which it sold to THQ for $9 million last year.
But this can't go on forever, of course, if Atari plans to release any video games at all: " Further significant asset sales may not be practical if we are going to continue to engage in our current activities," reads the report.

Thus, the one concrete (if one can call it that) proposal that Atari offers by way of bettering itself is the following:
The "Atari" name (which we license) has been an important part of our branding strategy, and we believe it provides us with an important competitive advantage in dealing with video game developers and in distributing products. Further, our management has been working on a strategic plan to replace part of the revenues we lost in recent years by expanding into new emerging aspects of the video game industry, including casual games, on-line sites, and digital downloading. In addition, we are considering licensing the "Atari" name for use in products other than video games. However, our ability to do at least some of those things will require expansion and extension of our rights to use and sublicense others to use the "Atari" name. We have no agreements or understandings that assure us that we will be able to expand the purposes for which we can use the "Atari" name or extend the period during which we will be able to use it.

In other words, Atari realizes that its name could be much better used to sell casual games, toys, T-shirts, and electric cake mixers branded with the stylized Mount Fuji. But it isn't quite sure if it has the right to even do that, because they are, technically, licensing the Atari name from their majority stockholder company Infogrames.

Infogrames became owner of the Atari brand name (and the company's back catalog of legendary games like Pong, Asteroids and Centipede) for a song in 2001, when it acquired Hasbro Interactive for $95 million in Infogrames stock and $5 million in cash.

Infogrames' American subsidiary changed its name to Atari in 2003.

*That post made me laugh when I read it again.

Source: WIRED

Atari may lose DragonBall game license

It looks like Atari is in trouble as they are in a dispute with FUNimation. FUNi terminated their partnership with Atari claiming that they voilated their contract. I did not think this would come so soon, especially since Dragonball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 is finished and due out in stores very soon. If they don't get things worked out in time, Namco Bandai is around to take the license, since they publish Dragonball Z games in Japan. I hope they do, because they do a good job in promoting the Naruto video games, in my opinion. Plus, Namco is my third favorite game publisher in the world, with Sega being the first, and Square-Enix second.

DRAGON BALL Z BUDOKAI TENKAICHI 3 PLAYSTATION 2 COLLECTOR'S EDITION

Exclusive Content Accompanies the Ultimate DBZ Fighting Experience

Atari today announced the forthcoming PlayStation 2 Collector’s Edition of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 containing great exclusive content. Developed by NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. / Spike, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for PlayStation 2 is scheduled for European release on 9 November in both standard and Collector’s editions.

Available in a specially designed retail box, the Collector’s Edition contains the game, plus an exclusive digital art book and giant wall poster. The 50-page art book includes imagery from the development team detailing how the game’s characters and environments were created, plus a personal message from the team at Spike. The poster features a dazzling array of DBZ characters, making the Collector’s Edition something no fan should be without.

Improving upon last year’s hit 3D fighting experience, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 offers more than 150 playable characters, more than 30 battle stages, and upgraded shading techniques providing enhanced and devastating effects. The exclusive ‘Disc Fusion System’ featured in the PlayStation 2 version of Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 lets players insert either Budokai Tenkaichi 1 or Budokai Tenkaichi 2 into the console to unlock brand new gameplay modes. Each game in the series will provide a different and exciting new gameplay mode.

The immensely popular Dragon Ball Z series is the gold standard of anime-based video games, with more than 25 different games and over 10 million units sold since May 2002.

Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for PlayStation 2 is scheduled for release on 9 November. Featuring online play for the first time in a DBZ game, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 for Wii is scheduled for European release in January 2008. For more information on Dragon Ball Z video games, please visit www.dbz-videogames.com.

The Top 4: Worst video games

TURKEYS: Remember some of these? They were a waste of time.

1. "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" (Atari 2600): Rush-released for the holidays to capitalize on the success of Steven Spielberg's magical movie, this jaw-dropping stinker isn't just the worst game ever; it defines what a bad game truly is.

The slow, choppy gameplay consists mostly of a green, pixilated E.T. climbing out of pits, dodging an awkwardly programmed detective, and ... getting out of more pits. E.T. himself would trade in stashes of Reese's Pieces to ensure no curious gamer touches this monstrosity.

2. "Survival Arts" (Arcade): When "Mortal Kombat" revolutionized fighting games, piles of imitators followed, but none as bad as this.

From the cheap, garish costumes and overly dramatic death cries to the horrible controls and character actors, "Survival Arts" will make one burst into fits of laughter with its ineptitude. Did I mention the old guy with a limitless supply of weapons and the boss who looks like Richard Simmons?

3. "Superman 64" (Nintendo 64): People love Superman because he represents absolute good and can do no wrong -- except when he flies on your home console. This N64 turkey defaces the good name of Superman in every way, forcing the Man of Steel to fly through hoops as a mission.


The gameplay is extremely buggy, with unresponsive controls and limited superpowers. You may find yourself giving up when Lex Luthor challenges, "Solve my maze." Difficult, as there is no maze.

4. "Gods and Generals" (PC): A tie-in for a hated Civil War movie that can't get basic game programming right.

The low artificial intelligence has soldiers shooting randomly and running through fire until they die; the landscaping has more polygons than a geometry book; there are hardly any game physics; and nearly every troop looks exactly the same. Had the Civil War itself been like this game, it'd probably be known as the Clone Wars long before George Lucas made movies -- if either side even won.

Atari may borrow up to $10 million

But is it enough?

Atari announced that it has secured $10 million in credit.

Funds affiliated with BlueBay Asset Management plc purchased Atari's outstanding loans totalling USD 3 million under the company's credit facility with Guggenheim Corporate Funding, LLC.

Atari has now entered into a senior secured credit facility with BlueBay High Yield Investments S.A.R.L., as the successor administrative agent. BlueBay is a significant shareholder of Infogrames, Atari's majority stockholder.

The new senior secured credit facility increases the availability of credit to USD 10 million and extends the maturity of the outstanding borrowings two years, to December of 2009.

"This revised Credit Facility is a major step in addressing Atari's liquidity needs and providing financing to support its near term business plan," said Curt G. Solsvig III, Atari's chief restructuring officer.

Atari also said that the USD 10 million does not fully satisfy the company's funding requirements and it is therefore seeking additional financing.

My Horse And Me - Website launched

Atari Launches Feature-Packed New Website for the Ultimate Equestrian Sports and Lifestyle Game

Atari today announced the launch of the official website for My Horse and Me at www.atari.com/myhorseandme. Published worldwide by Atari, My Horse and Me captures the essence and excitement of equestrian sport in a unique video game experience for PC, Wii and Nintendo DS. The only game with the exclusive worldwide license from the FEI (International Equestrian Federation), My Horse and Me is scheduled for European release in autumn 2007.

Visitors to the site can learn everything about what makes My Horse and Me the most realistic and immersive video game representation of the world of equestrian sports, with detailed game information, videos and screenshots showing the rich variety of gameplay modes, competitive environments and fun mini-games. Fans of the game can customize their own PC with a selection of downloadable screensavers and wallpapers exclusive to the site.

My Horse and Me is a highly authentic and involving video game representation of the world of equestrian sports. Published by Atari and developed by W!Games for Wii and PC and by Mistic for NDS, My Horse and Me, is scheduled for release this autumn 2007. For more information about the FEI please visit www.horsesport.org. Visit the official My Horse and Me website at www.atari.com/myhorseandme.

Atari founder calls today’s video games “trash”

Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, “father of electronic games,” called today’s video games “pure, unadulterated trash.”

Bushnell told Electronic Design in an interview published on Friday that "Video games today are a race to the bottom.”

He says that a lot of the games today are too isolating and missing the important social element. Bushnell, the creator of Pong, now focuses on social games that involve the whole family just as they once did instead of the single player games he helped pioneer.

He also recently criticized Sony, calling the company “arrogant” and “difficult to deal with from a developer standpoint.”

Atari buys Spark developers

Teams with Gamecock for Legendary: The Box

Atari is teaming up with publisher Gamecock to bring first-person shooter Legendary: The Box to PAL territories.

Developed by Call of Duty: Finest Hour studio Spark Unlimited, the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 title is due for release next summer.

"Gamecock have already established themselves as a serious new force to be reckoned with in video games, and we’re proud and excited to be entering into this agreement with them to co-publish such an original and excellent quality product as Legendary: The Box," offered Mathias Hautefort, executive VP of publishing and production for Atari.

"The agreement marks another positive step forward for Atari in bringing original and high quality interactive entertainment to the market."

Atari - Legendary: The Box

IGN.com

Atari Announces Agreement With Gamecock to Co-Publish Original First-Person Shooter

Atari today announced an agreement with Gamecock Media Group to co-publish the stunningly original forthcoming first-person shooter Legendary: The Box in PAL territories. Coming to PC and next-generation consoles, Legendary: The Box is scheduled to launch in summer 2008.

Developed by Spark Unlimited, Legendary: The Box tells the story of a thief – Charles Deckard – who is duped into stealing the mythical Pandora’s Box. Like Pandora before him, he cannot resist the temptation of finding out what’s inside. By opening the fabled device, he unleashes hordes of creatures thought to be merely the imaginings of our ancestors. However, murderous werewolves, unstoppable gryphons and other creatures of ancient lore prove all too real as they wreak havoc across an unprepared modern world.

“Gamecock have already established themselves as a serious new force to be reckoned with in video games, and we’re proud and excited to be entering into this agreement with them to co-publish such an original and excellent quality product as Legendary: The Box™,” said Mathias Hautefort, Executive Vice President of publishing and production, Atari. “The agreement marks another positive step forward for Atari in bringing original and high quality interactive entertainment to the market.”

"Gamecock is very proud to be working with Atari on this project, utilizing their massive distribution network in the PAL territories to make this game as big a hit outside the US as it will be inside," said Harry Miller, El Presidente and Head of Development, Gamecock Media Group.

Developer Spark Unlimited was founded by 27 of the individuals who developed titles in the award-winning Medal of Honor™ series. The critically acclaimed and multi-million unit selling Call of Duty™: Finest Hour™ was the result of the company's first efforts and the team is excited to bring their proven talent and experience in creating compelling first person action games to this project.

“Our goal at Spark has been to create high-quality innovative titles that deliver uniquely realistic and cinematic gaming experiences,” said Craig Allen, Chief Executive Officer of Spark Unlimited. “We are excited to welcome Atari as a co-publisher in order to insure Legendary: The Box™ becomes a global success.”

Legendary: The Box is a breath-taking blockbuster experience where man and machine take on the beasts of legend in the war to end all wars, all set against a backdrop of total social disintegration. High calibre ordnance meets beak, talon, fang and claw in awe-inspiring fire fights the like of which have never before been realised in a video game. Living, breathing dynamic environments are spectacularly torn apart in the battle to stay alive, with the devastation of New York and London realised on an unprecedented scale.

For more information about the game please visit www.legendarythebox.com. Gamecock Media Group can be found at www.gamecockmedia.com, with more information about Atari’s entire product line up at www.atari.com.