Free to play Battlefield heros one of five new games from DICE

Ben Cousins, executive producer at EA's DICE studio, has confirmed that the team is currently working on no less than five titles in its Battlefield franchise.

EA announced at the start of the year its first entry in the free-to-play market would be Battlefield Heroes, and the publisher is set to release Battlefield: Bad Company for home consoles this Friday.

But the team is also at work on three other games based on the series, including a traditional core game aimed at consoles, and a new collaboration with Neowiz specifically for the Korean market.

"Since the start of this year I've been working as executive producer for the entire Battlefield franchise - we've got five titles in development at the moment, which is probably more than you expect," Cousins told the GDC Paris audience during his keynote presentation.

Source: Games Industry

Sony plots gaming phone with PlayStation branding

Sony is understood to be mooting the launch of a PlayStation-branded phone, calling into question its partnership with Swedish mobile company Ericsson.

It is thought the phone will incorporate elements of the PlayStation Portable (PSP).

It is understood the phone could hit the shelves in time for Christmas 2009.

Sony Ericsson currently uses Sony sub-brands Walkman and Cyber-Shot camera as key features of its phones.

More from Marketing Week

Xbox 360 users can transfer games between consoles...

...but only once a year!

Microsoft has released a new Xbox 360 licensed content transfer tool, that will allow consumers to transfer purchased downloaded content from one console to another.

The tool is designed for gamers to transfer old content they have already paid for to a new Xbox 360 console. It is available through the Xbox 360 website, and requires the use of a PC while the new console is turned on and connected to Xbox Live.

Console owners will have to log in to a Xbox's DRM website with their Live username and password - from there they'll be able to transfer the content to the target console.

Source: Games Industry

Kung Fu Panda Video Game - Free download

A unique blend of humor and action to gamers with the release of Kung Fu Panda, the video game based on DreamWorks Animation’s highly anticipated feature film. In order to become the Dragon Warrior and defeat the ultimate enemy, Tai Lung, players engage in kung fu moves and master the unique fighting style of unlikely hero Po the Panda and experience the legendary moves of Shifu, Po’s Teacher, and the Furious Five – Monkey, Tigress, Viper, Mantis and Crane.

“Kung Fu Panda gives kids the chance to experience first hand their favorite movie moments, as well as new levels and hilarious situations created specifically for the game,” said Kim Salzer, vice president of Global Brand Management, Activision Publishing. “The humor, lovable characters and non-stop action will deliver hours of fun that they can enjoy on their own or with parents and friends.”

Kung Fu Panda offers a distinct and exciting gameplay experience as players develop acrobatic kung fu combo attacks to defeat a number of villainous enemies, including the Great Gorilla, the Wu Sisters and the dark-hearted Tai Lung. Gamers will work to overcome dangerous obstacles and solve challenging puzzles as they navigate through diverse environments spanning air, water and land. By mastering the art of kung fu, players will utilize and upgrade the unique fighting skills of their favorite movie characters, unlocking new moves as well as a host of multiplayer characters and games. Additionally, players can team up or battle head-to-head in arena, puzzle or casual games, making the Kung Fu Panda video game an epic experience gamers of all ages will enjoy.

The console and Games for Windows versions are rated “PG” by the BBFC and the DS version is rated “7+” by PEGI.

For more information on Kung Fu Panda and to download the demo, please visit www.KungFuPandaGame.com.

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Sony confirm smaller Graphics Chips for PlayStation 3

Sony's Kaz Hirai confirmed this week that the PlayStation 3's cell processor is to use smaller chips this autumn.

He said "The Cell and RSX used in PlayStation3s at launch were manufactured using a 90nm process technology. And now all PlayStation 3 Cells have shifted to 65nm process technology since last holiday season,"



As part of the company's accelerated "cost down efforts," the PlayStation 3 will be getting smaller, cooler, cheaper, more efficient and generally awesomer RSX graphics chips starting this autumn, as the slide above shows.

Game Rating could increase UK prices - Microsoft

Not only could videogames see later release dates in the UK compared to the rest of Europe, but British gamers might have to start paying more as well.

That's according to Neil Thompson, Microsoft's senior regional director for EDD in the UK and Ireland, who has backed comments made earlier in the week by EA's Keith Ramsdale regarding the potential impact of the dual ratings system proposed by the Byron Review.

"We're in the business of providing great games to a broad audience of gamers, and we need to be able to fulfil that role by getting products to consumers quickly and at a good price," Thompson told GamesIndustry.biz exclusively.

More from Games Industry...

European Super Smash Bros Brawl Friend Codes - Nintendo Wii

Thousands of Super Smash Bros. Brawl Friendcodes for Europe. Find Europe Brawl Codes. SSBB Friend codes for Brawl in England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Greece, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom and more. European Wii Numbers too all on a map.

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Kid Icarus, Doom 4, Alan Wake, and HL Ep.3 Confirmed for E3

For those of you who've been wondering what games are going to be revealed at E3 this year, here are 4 that have been confirmed!

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Super Mario Marathon For Child's Play - Live

Three gamers, seven games, fifty-five hours, all for the sake of the children. The trio is broadcasting their Super Mario Marathon live all weekend via UStreamTV, kicking off at 3PM Eastern and going until all the games are completed or they go crazy and turn on each other.

read more | digg story

Garfield - Lasagna World Tour Video Game

Garfield is back, and he's bigger, funnier and wackier than ever. The PAWS TV channel is organizing a treasure hunt, "The Lasagna World Tour," and guess who's ready to compete? Garfield and his hungry stomach are up to the challenge, especially for the chance to win his weight in lasagna for life!

Key features include:

• Accompany Garfield through 10 vast levels of Lasagna munching action!
  


• Explore Mexico, Italy and Egypt to find those elusive clues
  


• Play, ride and give orders to Odie with hilarious results!
  


• Dress Garfield up as a soccer player, cowboy, a fakir or a chef and obtain hilarious super powers
  


• Switch to multiplayer mode to make the mini games into games for the family to play together
  
  

• Conspiracy Entertainment is pleased to announce the release of Garfield: Lasagna World Tour, a platforming game based on Garfield, the famous cartoon cat, to North American retail.


• Garfield: Lasagna World Tour for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system challenges players to jump into the world of the comic cat in a quest to win the Lasagna
  
  
  


• World Tour - dressing up Garfield in a variety of humorous costumes (each granting him special powers) while playing a variety of mini-games that everyone in the family can enjoy in single- and multiplayer modes.


• For more information about Garfield: Lasagna World Tour, please visit http://www.conspiracygames.com.
  

About Garfield: Lasagna World Tour