Hellgate Beta's In-Game Ads Raise Eyebrows

IGN.com has put up a post discussing the new EA/Flagship game Hellgate: London, and the in-game advertisements it includes to facilitate targeted marketing.

Though ads in games aren't exactly new, some Beta testers are objecting to their apparently off-putting presence. Users have also noted that accepting the game's EULA means you submit to the collection of 'technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware'."

The Software incorporates technology of Massive Incorporated ("Massive") that enables in-game advertising, and the display of other similar in-game objects, which are uploaded temporarily to your personal computer or game console and replaced during online game play.

As part of this process, Massive may collect your Internet protocol address and other basic anonymous information, and will use this information for the general purposes of transmitting and measuring in-game advertising. Massive does not store or use any of this information for the purpose of discovering your personal identity. For additional details regarding Massive’s in-game advertising practices, and to understand your options with respect to in-game advertising and data collection, please see Massive's privacy policy. The trademarks and copyrighted material contained in all in-game advertising are the property of the respective owners. Portions of this product are © 2007 Massive Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Consent to Use of Data. You agree that EA, its affiliates, and each Related Party may collect, use, store and transmit technical and related information that identifies your computer, including without limitation your Internet Protocol address, operating system, application software and peripheral hardware, that may be gathered periodically to facilitate the provision of software updates, dynamically served content, product support and other services to you, including online play.

EA and/or the Related Parties may also use this information in the aggregate and, in a form which does not personally identify you, to improve our products and services and we may share that aggregate data with our third party service providers.

VooDoo Extreme

Seniors urged to take up video games

Kids, go do your homework and hand over those PlayStation controls to your grandparents.

Playing such games helps keep the minds of senior citizens sharp and their hands active, reducing their risk of ending up with Alzheimer's Disease, said Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.

"Senior citizens should engage in mental activities. A good way is to use the PS3 (PlayStation3) or play other computer or video games as it would help to keep them alert and maintain the dexterity of their hands.

"They can also play bridge and mahjong as long as they are not gambling illegally," he told reporters after opening a public forum themed The Realities of Life with Dementia organised by the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia Penang AD Support Group at the Caring Society Complex here Sunday.

In his speech, Lee said it was important to disseminate information on the disease, which is associated with ageing, to the public as early as possible so that they would be prepared to face such situations.

"Patients would have a chance to plan together with their families and decide how they want to be cared for.

"Awareness about the disease also helps people to be more alert to the signs, and they can seek early treatment and help," he said.

Serious Games Institute shows applications for the real world

At a recent cocktail party, David Wortley set up a video camera to record images of the guests in the room. The video was streamed, live, into a computer-generated version of the party in Second Life, the online virtual world, where participants' "avatars" could watch them sipping their drinks. Then a video of the virtual version of the party was beamed back onto a screen in the real-world room.

"People were watching people watching people watching them," Wortley said, acknowledging, "It can be a little difficult to get your head around in the beginning."

But such scenarios may seem less surreal when you are director of the Serious Games Institute, a center for the development of "serious" applications of video game technologies and virtual worlds for businesses, security agencies and other users. The party took place during a conference that coincided with the recent opening of the center.

Much has been made of the potential of Second Life as an environment for entertainment, marketing or even terrorist financing. But the Serious Games Institute says that it is one of the first places dedicated to helping businesses enhance their own operations by harnessing virtual worlds for things like training, communication and emergency planning.

The institute, which is affiliated with Coventry University and funded in part by a regional economic development agency, has a handful of tenants set to take up residence in November. It plans to operate as an "incubator," helping these companies grow, as well as serving as a hub for networking and research.

More from the International Herald Tribune

New Pokemon title announced For Wii Ware Service

Nintendo are taking this Wii Ware business seriously. At their Fall Press Conference today they announced a new Pokemon title for the service, called Pokemon Bokujyou.

As in, Pokemon Farm. As in, the very raw essence of Pokemon.

The point is that Pokefans can transfer their Pokemans (from Diamond or Pearl) to the Wii, and once there they can tend to them. Raise them. Perhaps even snuggle them, all on their very own Pokemon farm. Sounds idyllic.

But looks a little...unsettling.

See video below...

Pleo - Big Game? dinosaur life like toy

Every Pleo is unique. Yes, each one begins life as a newly-hatched baby Camarasaurus, but that's where predictability ends and individuality begins. Pleo doesn't just do what he's told. He develops his own personality, moods, and habits—all shaped by the time he spends with you. In creating this Life Form, we merely set the wheels in motion. Making the magic is up to you and Pleo. Discover Pleo's emotions.

Pleo world

Look inside

Capcom's multinational development ambitions

Capcom's - Dead Rising

Bionic Commando marks "the next step in the evolution of the design process"

Capcom is finally realising its much talked about multinational development ambitions as it brings together teams from Japan, North America and Europe to develop games for global audiences.

The recently announced Bionic Commando is perhaps the company's most ambitious project to date; developed by Swedish studio Grin under the eye of American Ben Judd – the first foreign producer at Capcom Japan – with guidance by Onimusha and Dead Rising producer Keiji Inafune

With the proven success of Dead Rising and Lost Planet – where 90 per cent of sales were outside of Japan – the publisher is focused on catering specifically for American and European markets rather than just bringing Japanese content to the West.

"We're seeing larger growth in the US and European markets and a shrinking in the Japanese market," said Judd, speaking at the company's recent Gamers Day, held for the first time in Europe.

"This is the next step in the evolution of trying to mix up the design process so that Capcom has titles that will appeal throughout the world. There are some people who think that only Capcom Japan can create a good title but that's not the case.

"This is the sort of risk that most other Japanese games companies, who are pretty conservative, wouldn't do. So to take a chance on this and on an American producer shows just how willing it is to try new things," he added.

Capcom admits that this multinational development philosophy isn't easy, although all team members are learning from the experience.

"Trying to sync up the different design styles between Grin and the Capcom design teams is not easy because they are truly 180 degrees different in a lot of areas," revealed Judd. "But fortunately Grin's style and Capcom's style are both very creative-based and they are willing to try new things."

And the Bionic Commando IP itself wasn't something that Capcom Japan had faith in initially, as the original game wasn't a success in the local market.

"Trying to get this game through the development channels was not easy because it's very unique in that has cult status in the US and to some extent in Europe, but in Japan very few people know of it," said Judd.

"That's one of the purposes that I serve internally, I can look at things and see titles that may stand out and have potential in the US and European market where Capcom Japan may not even realise it because they only see the Japanese market."

Judd is in a unique position himself. From working with the company as an interpretor and translator, he's now the first foreign producer at Capcom Japan, something that he acknowledges as a privileged appointment but further evidence of taking risks and experimenting.

"It's a thing I totally respect about Capcom, they have given me this great chance. I know a lot of foreigners that work at Japanese gaming companies and there is glass ceiling. Capcom is one of the few that is going to give foreigners the chances to develop."

WAL-MART TO CUT VIDEO GAME PRICES

Wal-Mart Canada Corp. has pulled the trigger in what is shaping up as a holiday-season price war in video games, preparing to cut prices to U.S. levels on new releases and some current games.

It's just one reflection of the growing pressure from consumers to bring down retail prices on this side of the border, in line with the rising value of the Canadian dollar.

Shoppers have been annoyed about spreads on items such as books, video games and DVDs, either because U.S. and Canadian prices are displayed side by side on the product, or U.S. pricing is readily available online.

"It is confusing and I'm sure it's frustrating - some consumers are angry when they see some old books at very high prices," said Steve Budnarchuk, co-owner of Audreys Books in Edmonton and past president of the Canadian Booksellers Association.

"I think consumers are starting to make decisions to purchase less until the pricing improves. I'm seeing evidence of that. Or they're choosing books where the pricing is better."

Wal-Mart decided to pinpoint the video-game sector for U.S. parity pricing because it is such a high profile category, said Jim Thompson, senior vice-president of merchandise. It will price at parity "hundreds" of new releases, including Guitar Hero 3 leading into the busiest shopping season. Already it priced Halo 3 at $59.83 for an XBox console, about $10 less than at other Canadian retailers. Other merchants, including HMV Canada and Best Buy Canada, said they are also starting to get price breaks from suppliers and will pass on savings to consumers.

But achieving price parity in books or music isn't possible at the moment, although the company is lowering some prices, Mr. Thompson said. "We're not happy with our prices on our books now," he added.

Mr. Budnarchuk said publishers are reducing their prices, but not enough to allow for big changes on the store shelf. Older books can be as much as 50 per cent more expensive than their U.S. equivalents, while prices here are now about 25 per cent higher than the U.S. rates, he estimated.

Humphrey Kadaner, president of HMV Canada, said CD and DVD prices are generally not dropping because those products are made in Canada, so the dollar's value isn't a factor in the pricing.

The 2007 Into the Pixel Art Exhibition

While the main focus of this week’s E for All Expo in Los Angeles is to let gamers get their hands on hot new console and PC games, there’s a different exhibit on the show floor that appeals to art fans. Called Into the Pixel, the exhibit features fine art created by artists who work in game design.

Into the Pixel — an annual fixture at past E3 Expo events — is here at E for All, featuring 16 inductees selected by a panel of jurors. It’s already been shown at the E3 Media & Business Summit in Santa Monica earlier this year as well as the Toronto International Film Festival.

The artwork runs the gamut from Half-Life 2 Episode 2 to 300: March to Glory, Rayman’s Raving Rabbids to EVE Online. For the most part, these aren’t screenshots — this is fine art created by the same game designers who create the environments and characters that populate popular video games. In some cases the work was generated using computer-based tools like Photoshop and Maya; in other cases, the work was painted by hand.

Visitors to E for All can find the Into the Pixel winning creations at booths 901 and 2013. If you’re not at the show, you can see the winners at the Into the Pixel Web site.

Sony's new Blu-Ray Christmas ad

Pokemon Farm Footage

You know, there are people who will see this and just freeze. Maybe drool a little, maybe grin toothlessly, maybe even drop to their knees and thank the appropriate deity. I mean, recreating an avatar of yourself that can walk freely amongst a paddock full of Pokemon? You can say what you want about the shitty graphics, the limited "gameplay" (if there even is any), the endless trips Nintendo make to the Pokemon well...and none of it will matter. This thing is going to sell like cakes that have been heated until they're just right.