Viva Piñata Fact sheet as game goes classic on XBox 360

"Viva Piñata"

Fact Sheet

Title: “Viva Piñata”

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Developer: Climax Group

Format: DVD for the Microsoft® Windows® XP and Microsoft Windows Vista® operating systems

ESRB Rating: “E” for Everyone

Product Overview: “Viva Piñata,” originally developed and released to critical acclaim for Xbox 360™, will now be available for the Windows XP and Windows Vista platforms. Developed by Climax Group, “Viva Piñata” invites gamers to create an immersive world where living piñatas inhabit an ever-changing environment. Beginning with a few basic tools, players build and take control of this environment, using their creativity and imagination to attract, protect and manage over 60 piñata species that can visit their world and make it their home.

Bringing a vibrant and engaging gaming experience to the Windows platform, “Viva Piñata” appeals to kids, adults, casual gamers and enthusiasts alike. This uniquely customizable and social game rewards and challenges all players regardless of their skill level and presents a customizable, social and spontaneous experience in which gamers play an absolutely crucial role. The “Viva Piñata” world is an evolving paradise teeming with fantastic living piñata creatures and vibrant plant life, all determined by the player’s choices and actions.

“Viva Piñata” offers easy installation, reliability standards and support for key features of Windows Vista, including the Games Explorer and Parental Controls.

Features:
Features of “Viva Piñata” include the following:

• Bring your imagination to life. “Viva Piñata” allows players’ creativity to run wild by providing them with expansive freedom and choice:
– Your world. Your choice of contents will determine which of the piñata species are attracted to your world because they all have individual requirements. Sowing grass, digging ponds, planting flowers and growing trees all affect which of the unique piñatas you will see. It’s not just about plants, either; there is a whole range of ornaments and structures that could be decisive. Your reward for creating an appealing paradise is to watch the piñatas visit and eventually reside there, which is where the fun really starts.
– Your piñatas. Once you have resident piñatas, you can begin to personalize your loyal community. Piñatas can be individually named and given their own personally designed tag to put on display as a declaration of their home turf, and the customization doesn’t end there. You can make the colorful critters more distinctive by customizing them with all kinds of costumes and accessories.

• Connect with friends around the world. The “Viva Piñata” community is a rewarding place to be, whether you remain within the boundaries of your own world or venture out into the real world or your friend’s piñata world via Games for Windows — LIVE:
– Interact with the piñatas. Getting to know and understand the personalities and requirements of your piñatas is essential if you want them to stay happy and thrive. Make your world their ideal paradise, and they’ll want to raise a family and expand your community.
– Interact with the characters. Players decide how much help they want from the local guides, shopkeepers and work force. Go it alone or get them involved — you choose.
– Interact with other players online. Via the Games for Windows — LIVE online community, players can contact other gamers to lend a hand or trade items.

• Never experience a dull moment. “Viva Piñata” is a constantly changing world where anything can and does happen:
– It’s happening outside. It’s not just new piñata species that are drawn to your world; untamed sour piñatas with bad attitudes and troublemaking ruffians do their worst to spoil your creation and must be dealt with.

Developer Information: Since its founding in 1988, Climax has rapidly grown into one of the world’s leading independent developers of interactive software. Constantly at the epicentre of technological development, Climax is built on a determination to create cutting-edge games that boast the most advanced technology and superior gameplay. This simple work ethic has inspired the creation of critically acclaimed games for major consoles, wireless devices and interactive television. Using its own proprietary technology, Climax has developed a string of both critically acclaimed and commercially successful hits for many of the major interactive software publishers. Among the company’s high-profile and high-scoring games are “MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 1,” “MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 2” and “MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3” for Xbox®, Xbox LIVE® and PC, and “Sudeki™” for Xbox.

Babo:Invasion Combines Ultra Fast Team-Based Action with Competitive In-Game Map Making

Babo:Invasion Combines Ultra Fast Team-Based Action with Competitive In-Game Map Making

HeadGames (www.playheadgames.com), a game development outsourcing company, previewed a new multiplayer shooter game, called Babo:Invasion, at the Game Developers Conference today in San Francisco. Babo:Invasion is based on the original IP of the popular freeware multiplayer combat game Babo Violent 2 (www.rndlabs.ca), considered by tens of thousands of players worldwide as one of the most fun, fastest-paced games in the multiplayer top-down shooter category. It has as been called "carnage on a stick" by Maximum PC Magazine and "a great game, originality, blisteringly quick firefights, and very fun gameplay" by GameHippo.

The new Babo:Invasion is a fast-paced multiplayer game where armed ball-like "Babos" navigate maze-like worlds in a free-for-all firefight or team-based combat. Its unique format is easy-to-learn, allows new players to jump into existing firefights for a quick hit any time, and provides fun, mayhem-filled action. The game offers an arcade-style single-player mode and the optional depth of multiplayer team and class-based gameplay. The new version also features top-down and chase cam views, new weapons, and lush 3-D environments. Multi-player Competitive Mapping, a first-of-its-kind game feature, supports the “Invasion” game mode, adding a major strategic and competitive element to gameplay.

Babo Violent 2 proved very popular because of its unique combination of easy-to-learn mechanics; fun, multiplayer mayhem; and the depth of team-based play options," states Scott Simpson, HeadGames Studio Director. "Players love the ability to jump into the action whenever they have a few minutes to get a quick hit of fun and adrenaline. Babo: Invasion takes those strengths to a new level."

The new Babo:Invasion will be released for PCs and consoles in 2008 through Playbrains and can be previewed at www.playbrains.com.

Will Sony let Microsoft use Blu-ray in the XBox 360?

What now for High definition DVDs in the XBox 360?

With Toshiba pulling out of the race all these questions remain un-answered.

With Sony now the only player, with it's Blu-ray format, high definition DVD will Microsoft be allowed to use this format in it's new drives?

Will Sony refuse? Can Sony refuse to licence Blu-ray to Microsoft? Will they charge a fortune?

Microsoft and Sony are not exactly friends... Will this tip the balance in favour of Sony's PlayStation 3 with it's built in Blu-ray drive.

The battle between Microsofts XBox 360 with it's better games line up and Sony's PlayStation 3 with it's Blu-ray drive can only heat up over the next few months.

We can only sit back and watch.

Disney say no to THQ Toy Story 3 Game offer

Say you're in movies, your growth model's frittered away to
break-even, and an industry pretty much symbolized by a butt-stomping
plumber is effectively cleaning your clock -- what's a corporate
dinosaur to do?

Easy: If you can't (sufficiently) milk 'em, depose 'em.

The Wall Street Journal reports that's essentially what Disney did
when longtime Pixar partner THQ came pitching license rights to a Toy
Story 3 game tie-in. Thanks but no thanks, said Disney and Pixar,
opting instead to handle creation of the game (due in 2010) in-house.

You've heard plenty recently about how game sales were up 43 percent
in 2007. Weigh that against box office revenues -- up a paltry 4
percent over the same period, and even then by way of ticket price
inflation, not viewer growth. Home video sales -- still bigger bucks
than gaming, but not by much -- were actually down 3.2 percent.

So when the authors of the WSJ piece suggest that "it isn't clear yet
whether the media companies have the stamina to become serious
competitors to heavyweight game publishers," I'd probably swap
"stamina" for "inclination." Companies like Disney have oceans of
stamina for substantial year-over-year revenue growth, and nothing
suggests gaming won't be nailing that metric for years if not decades
to come.

Source: PCWorld

SEGA say iPod is flawless for video game distribution...

hat most people often forget is that the device can also act as a video game device.

Last December, Sega unleashed their fiery blue mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, on the iPod family tree. Sega remarked that the device is a "flawless" device for developers to sell their video games in.

This comment wasn't directed at the device as a platform, though, but rather at its payment system and its ability to provide media to consumers at large with just a couple of clicks. Hopefully this means we'll be able to see more video games arrive for the device in the future.

Here's what Simon Jeffrey, head honcho of Sega of America, said about developing Sonic the Hedgehog for the iPod:

The iPod is arguably the most pervasive cross-demographic piece of consumer electronics today. There are no age or fashion barriers to iPod adoption, and making Sonic available to tens of millions of iPod owners really is a fantastic opportunity for us

.

iTunes and Apple's whole banking/payment system is flawless. They have to be one of the smartest companies in the world. Being able to buy a game and have it on your iPod with a couple of clicks is just brilliant.

From: MVC

Future of video game industry taking shape at Games Developers Conference

If ever there was a time for a famous futurist to be giving a keynote address at the Game Developers Conference, this is it.

When Ray Kurzweil, the author of The Singularity is Near and one of the most noted futurists around, takes the stage at GDC 2008 in San Francisco on Thursday to talk about "the next 20 years of gaming," he'll be weighing in at a moment in the industry's existence when the lines between games and Hollywood and advertising are blurring, when the term "gamer" encompasses 75-year-old grandmothers and when the barrier to entry to being a developer has never been smaller.

"I think the Kurzweil keynote should be very interesting," said Ron Meiners, community manager for the virtual world platform developer, Multiverse Network. "He's a very original thinker, and I'm curious as to his take on the gaming industry, how games fit into people's lives, (and) how games are changing people's lives."

One thing that strikes me about how video games are intersecting with people's lives in 2008, and it was made abundantly clear over the Christmas holidays, when it was simply impossible to find a Nintendo Wii for sale anywhere, is that finally, the medium is truly mainstream.

And while there will always be a significant segment of the industry that caters to and is serviced by hard-core gamers, what's becoming evident is that there's almost no one who is left out of what video gaming is today. And for those who are left out, that may not be true as the years progress. I suspect that that is something Kurzweil will touch on, at least briefly.

More from: CNet

"It's a very exciting time in the game industry, in that we have this growing recognition of the important of casual and family-oriented content," said Jamil Moledina, the director of GDC. "You're seeing it in the $60 packaged (games) and in the $10 downloads. It's a perfect storm of factors poised to really expand the game industry."

One example of that, Moledina suggested, is the explosion of gamer-created content and social networking in online gamer communities like Microsoft's Xbox Live.

That rationale may well be why GDC's first keynote speaker, on Wednesday, will be Microsoft corporate vice president John Schappert, who will give a talk titled, "A future wide open: Unleashing the creative community."

For Moledina, organizing what is almost certain to be the biggest GDC ever--last year's event drew 16,000 people, he said, and it is expected to grow this year--is a huge job. There are hundreds of panel discussions scheduled, a huge trade show and, as always, GDC will actually be made up of several different events that are linked together throughout the week.

On Monday and Tuesday, the events will include several "summits," such as those on casual games, independent games, game outsourcing, and virtual worlds. As well, there's GDC Mobile, which focuses on games for mobile devices.

Quazal Debuts Online Tech for MacOS X

Quazal, makers of the award-winning Net-Z, Rendez-Vous and Spark! online multiplayer middleware today announced that they have added MacOS X to their list of supported platforms.

With the release of the Mac version of Net-Z, Rendez-Vous and Spark!, Quazal makes available all of the features and flexibility that they’ve become known for on PC and consoles. Developers can even allow for PC/Mac cross-platform play, with very little added effort.

“With the growth of the Mac audience, the quality of the OS X platform, and the increasing interest of game publishers catering to that audience, Quazal has seen the need for a version of their technologies and services on Mac,” says Sylvain Beaudry, president at Quazal.

“It’s often a challenge to find proven game development technologies on the Mac, and this will definitely help to bring more games with rich online experiences to the platform”, says Justin D’Onofrio, Producer at game developer Freeverse. “We are really happy to be early adopters and help Quazal provide their product to the Mac development community.”

Interested parties can contact Quazal for more information at info@quazal.com, or can visit us at the San Francisco Game Developers’ Conference in West Hall, booth ES668 from Wednesday, February 20th to Friday, February 22nd.

Leap, Sneak and Evade Your Way to Safety as the World's Most Elusive Ninja in "N+," An Innovative Platformer Launching on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednes

Become a gold-thirsty ninja battling homicidal robots with “N+” as it lands on Xbox LIVE Arcade this Wednesday 20th February at 09.00.

In the enhanced version of the original game “N,” players take on the persona of a ninja who must use agile acrobatic actions to battle robots in the futuristic world of “N+.” Play as a lone ninja or destroy the robots with a friend in Cooperative, Survival or Race modes using local or Internet co-op via Xbox LIVE. “N+” boasts 2-D Ragdoll physics with incredibly styled next-generation graphics for an intense visual experience. With unlimited lives, over 300 levels to master and a built-in level editor for when you crave more, the gold-searching and robot-smashing adventures are seemingly endless!

Where can I get this game from?
N+ is available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E10+ by the ESRB.

More information is available at:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/n/nplusxboxlivearcade

ZeniMax Media Opens London Office

ZeniMax Media Inc., the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, today announced it has begun direct publishing operations in Europe with the establishment of its London-based subsidiary, ZeniMax Europe Ltd. ZeniMax Europe will be publishing titles throughout UK/EMEA territories under the Bethesda Softworks brand.

Bethesda Softworks has a successful history as a developer and publisher of award-winning titles, most recently with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which won critical acclaim and countless Game of the Year awards. While continuing to work with strategic European distribution partners, ZeniMax Europe plans to deliver a range of compelling titles to the European market in the coming years, including the highly anticipated Fallout 3 in Fall 2008.

“This is an important step for us as we look to expand our presence in markets outside of North America,” said Robert Altman, CEO of ZeniMax Media Inc. “We want to establish direct relationships with retailers and distributors throughout Europe and the UK as we bring exciting titles like Fallout 3 and Rogue Warrior to gamers worldwide.”

The European operations of the Company will be headed by Sean Brennan, an industry veteran with over 20 years experience in the European markets. “We are happy to be part of the ZeniMax family,” said Sean “Building upon their great reputation and extending their direct reach throughout Europe and the UK is an exciting, new phase in the expansion of the company.”

Working alongside Brennan are Greg Baverstock, Director of Sales and Business Development, and Christina Camerota, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. With a wealth of industry experience, the team has recently settled into the Company’s new European offices which are located in the heart of London’s West end.

Two New Classic Games Added To Wii Shop Channel

Some gamers get skeptical when Roman numerals populate the title of a game. But make no mistake - this week's offerings are no mere sequels. They are some of the most highly regarded classic games around. So stock up on some Wii Points™ to battle the Dark Force or complete an action-packed trilogy.

Nintendo adds new games to the Wii Shop Channel at 9 a.m. Pacific time every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week's new games are:

Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom: (NES, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Violence, 500 Wii Points): Join master ninja Ryu Hayabusa, last member of the famous Dragon Clan, in the third and final chapter of the legendary Ninja Gaiden saga. Ryu is framed for FBI agent Irene Lew's murder, and it's up to him to clear his name. Defeating superior life-forms created out of "life energy" called BIO-NOIDs and avoiding enemy ambushes are among the many obstacles which Ryu faces in this unpredictable adventure of mystery, deceit and destruction. Noticeable changes to the game-play mechanics include Ryu's ability to grab on to horizontal surfaces, his reduced falling speed and altered jumping maneuvers, and visible power-ups. Help Ryu defeat the forces of evil once more and discover the real culprit behind Irene's death as one of the most loved trilogies in video-game history comes to a close.

Phantasy Star II: (Sega Genesis, 1 player, Rated E for Everyone - Mild Animated Violence, 800 Wii Points): Hailed as one of the greatest games of all time by fans and media alike, Phantasy Star II is an RPG that features an epic story line and turn-based battles. Play as Rolf, Nei, Rudo or several other characters as you navigate through the Algol star system battling the evil Dark Force. Build your characters, select the right weapons and armor, and take on the forces of evil through various missions as you find the right combination of characters to complete each objective. Experience the magic once again in this great sequel.

For more information about Wii, please visit wii.com.