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.

Paramount Pictures Signs To Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store

Paramount Pictures added to the momentum of Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store in the UK, by confirming today that it is extending its partnership with Microsoft Corp. to bring its catalogue of current and library films to the UK as well. This means that all Xbox 360 owners connected to Xbox LIVE can now download-to-rent both high definition and standard definition Paramount Pictures movies direct to their console via Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store. With this latest partnership, Xbox 360 aims to place itself at the centre of digital entertainment in the living room, giving consumers the best in high definition games, movies and music videos along with access to friends, digital music and pictures.

From Tuesday 19th February, ‘Transformers’, those robots in disguise, will get a LIVE action outing as the war between the evil Decepticons and the heroic Autobots erupts on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store along with other Paramount blockbusters. Available in SD and/or HD formats, download-to-rent films will cost from as little as 250 Microsoft Points (*ERP £2) for standard definition movies and from 380 Microsoft Points (*ERP £3.20) for high definition movies.

Robin Burrowes, Xbox LIVE Marketing Manager UK, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division commented: “We are really happy to be able to welcome Paramount to Xbox LIVE Marketplace in UK. This announcement gives our Video Store customers in the UK an even greater choice of entertainment with a great level of HD movie quality, as always.”

Alex Carloss, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Worldwide Digital Distribution, Paramount Digital Entertainment - one of the key studio partners when Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store launched in the US - commented on the expansion into Europe : “We’re excited to be involved in the acceleration phase of the European launch of Xbox LIVE’s Video Store and look forward to watching this service grow. To deliver Paramount’s top films to people in their living room via a games console fits perfectly with our global digital distribution strategy.”

Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks movies coming to Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store this Spring include:

· Transformers (available in SD and HD)
· Goodbye Bafana (available in SD and HD)
· Intersection (available in SD)
· Primal Fear (available in SD)
· Clear and Present Danger (available in SD)
· Naked Gun 2 & 1/2: The Smell of Fear (available in SD)
· Naked Gun 33 & 1/3 (available in SD)
· Top Secret! (available in SD)
· Bug (available in SD)
· Hardball (available in SD)
· The Phantom (available in SD)
· Orange County (available in SD)
· 1408 (available in SD and HD)
· Disturbia (available in SD and HD)
· Hot Rod (available in SD and HD)
· A Mighty Heart (available in SD and HD)
· Heartbreak Kid (available in SD and HD)
· Stardust (available in SD and HD)
· In to the Wild (available in SD and HD)

Additional movies from Warner Bros will also be added to the service this Spring. Many films will be available in high definition. They include:

· The Assassination of Jesse James (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)
· Beowulf (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)
· License to Wed (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)
· No Reservations (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)
· The December Boys (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)
· Nancy Drew (Warner Bros, available in SD and HD)

The diverse list of new content means there are even more incredible entertainment choices on Xbox LIVE for everyone in the family. All gamers in the UK, France, Germany and Ireland need to access this service with both an Xbox Live Silver or Gold membership and a broadband connection. More information about the content available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store can be found at: www.xbox.com

2nd Year, Twice As Big, The Elan Awards Deliver The Winners

Last night the Video Game, Animation Industry and Digital Art Students turned out in full force to celebrate Canadian supremacy in the fastest growing entertainment industry in the world. Canadian video game developers and publishers, animators and studio heads and the brightest students and top academia gathered at 2nd Annual Elan Awards held at The Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts in eager anticipation to learn the winning names behind some of the biggest games and shows in North America.

This year’s show also saw the Elan Awards open up to include International Award Categories attracting companies such as Microsoft, DreamWorks SKG, Insomniac Games, EA USA, VIZ Media and, of course, Fuzzy Door Productions that is the brain child of this year’s Host, Seth MacFarlane. MacFarlane lived up to his enormous reputation as one of the Industry’s top talents and rewarded the room full of top Video Game and Animation Talent/Execs with a hilarious “classic Seth” performance including a singing “Stewie” final act to close the show. The night went on to see MacFarlane win his first Elan in the category of “Best International Animated Television Production” for FAMILY GUY.

Nick Fletcher, Producer of DreamWork’s the BEE MOVIE flew in from Los Angeles to accept the “Producer’s Choice for the Inaugural Best Animated Feature” and Don Mattrick, recipient of this year’s “Video Game Hall of Fame” sent a message of acceptance to the evening’s attendees: “I wanted to send a very sincere thank you for this Video Game Hall of Fame Award. I am truly honored to be selected, and sorry that I can’t be there to accept in person. Congratulations to all the other winners at the Canadian Awards for Electronic Arts & Animation! Thanks should also go to Holly Carinci and Jack Weatherell for putting all this together. Hope you all enjoy the evening”.

And on that note, the winners from last night’s 2nd Annual Elan Awards are:

ANIMATION CATEGORIES

1. BEST FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION

Barbie as the Island Princess Rainmaker Animation Jennifer Twiner Mccarron

2. THE SEVEN GROUP AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATED PRODUCTION (Television Series)

Edgar & Ellen Bardel Entertainment Delna Bhesania, Barry Ward, Trish Lindsay, Barbara Ferro

3. BEST ANIMATED SHORT SUBJECT

Yellow Sticky Notes Jeff Chiba Stearns

4. BEST DIRECTION in a FEATURE LENGTH ANIMATED PRODUCTION

Barbie as the Island Princess Rainmaker Animation Greg Richardson

5. BEST DIRECTION in an ANIMATED TELEVISION SERIES

Ruby Gloom: Venus de Gloomsville Nelvana LTD Robin Budd

6. BEST MALE VOICE OVER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Lee Tockar George of the Jungle Studio B

7. BEST FEMALE VOICE OVER IN AN ANIMATED FEATURE OR TELEVISION PRODUCTION

Marÿke Hendrikse Johnny Test Cookie Jar Entertainment

8. BEST ORIGINAL MUSICAL SCORE

Bruno and the Banana Bunch Cuppa Coffee Studios Adam Goddard

9. BEST STORYBOARDING

George of the Jungle: Naked Ape Man Studio B Dennis Crawford / Lyn Hart

10. BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN OR ART DIRECTION

Edgar & Ellen: Crushed Bardel Entertainment Greg Huculak and Zoe Evamy

11. BEST WRITING IN AN ANIMATED PRODUCTION

Storm Hawks Nerd Corps Entertainment Rob Hoegee

12. THE ELECTRONIC ART’S AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED PRODUCTION (Television Series)

Family Guy Fuzzy Door Productions Seth MacFarlane, David A. Goodman, Chris Sheridan, Danny Smith

13.THE INAUGURAL AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL ANIMATED PRODUCTION (Feature)

Bee Movie: Dreamworks Animation SKG

14. LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN ANIMATION

Kai Pindal

'Rhiannon' Back on Track for Summer '08 Release

Independent adventure game producer Arberth Studios has updated its Website with yet more details of its forthcoming title 'Rhiannon: Beyond the Mabinogion', including a range of screenshots giving some indication of the sheer scale of the game arena and clearly demonstrating the game's high production values. A video trailer is also available.

But wasn't 'Rhiannon' due to be out by now? Game engineer Noel Bruton admits, "we conducted a build of the game last September, and we found we weren't content with the graphics. So we started again at a larger screen size and more colour depth. It's meant we had to render everything again from the models, effectively starting from scratch. But the upside is that 'Rhiannon' is now even more atmospheric and importantly, we're on course to release the game in Summer 2008."

'Rhiannon' weaves classic Celtic legends of revenge into a modern-day setting in a run-down Welsh country house and grounds. The game is aimed squarely at the first-person point-and-click market. Although it is violence-free, it is decidedly not for young children. Its intricate plot deals with numerous grown-up themes from the ancient to the contemporary. It blends magic with technology, fact with myth, horror with compassion and classicism with metaphysics. It is a feast for lovers of ghost stories, mystery, legend and puzzles.

Further details at http://www.arberthstudios.com.