Flashman Studios Goes Mobile Gaming with Codeglue

Flashman Studios Inc. announces it has signed a representation agreement with Dutch mobile game studio, Codeglue. With this new alliance Codeglue has begun actively developing original intellectual projects available for mobile and XBLA, including the fast paced bazooka blasting arcade game – Jetpack Junkies. This particular game is in development and primed for mobile and Xbox Live Arcade publishers to secure.

“Codeglue is very excited about tapping Flashman’s experience and comprehensive industry knowledge to bring our passion for gaming and our unique technical capabilities to the next generation of gaming,” said Peter de Jong, President and Creative Director of Codeglue. “We were quite struck by their enthusiasm for and confidence in our ability to grow beyond mobile, and leverage our development and design onto other platforms.”



Their services are available with original intellectual properties, licenses that Flashman currently represents, and on an outsource basis for publishers with their own licenses. Codeglue has successfully launched connected mobile games that empower mobile communities with elements like highscores, customizable user profiles, ghost racing, and chats. They are a proven mobile player, and are now emerging as a console group that is Nintendo DS approved.

Brad Young, CEO of Flashman Studios, is eager for the opportunity to collaborate with Codeglue, “Our business model consistently matches up the perfect combination of publisher and developer. Codeglue’s successful track record, with such hits as Worms World Party and Love a Lemming, demonstrates to us that they’re perfectly positioned for us to take their great game development to the next level.” Young added, “With Codeglue we have a full package to present to publishers.”

Codeglue www.codeglue.com
The Netherlands team behind Codeglue has been delivering signature games since 2000. Besides working with licensed properties, Codeglue also develops high quality, original home grown games with devotion towards playability, multiplayer interaction, and creating communities. Codeglue offers premium game development with a specialty focus in pick-up-and-play, and addictive arcade games for mobile and handheld devices, and emerging console platforms. Codeglue has a profound knowledge of mobile phone platforms and has vast experience working with many of the leading multiplayer middleware providers. Some examples of Codeglue’s work are the high quality conversion of Worms World Party for the Nokia N-Gage, and well-known franchise mobile games like Monkeyball, Lemmings, and Spongebob.

Flashman Studios www.flashmanstudios.com
Flashman Studios is a unique, full-service business management firm representing developers, intellectual property and game-services companies to the interactive entertainment industry, with a primary focus on video games. Flashman works with clients on corporate strategy, marketing, branding, business development, negotiation, investment, and mergers and acquisitions. With offices in San Francisco, CA and Vancouver, BC, Flashman works with many of the interactive industry’s most innovative and exciting companies to create long-term value in their business. Flashman Studio’s leadership and specialized knowledge has delivered some of today’s most exciting gaming experiences. Flashman has been instrumental in constructing projects for their clients, that include: Cars Mobile (Disney/Pixar); Flipper Critters (Ignition); Happy Feet Mobile (Warner Brothers); WizKids Pirates (SOE-Denver); Mushroom Men (publisher unannounced); Happy Tree Friends (publisher unannounced); War World (publisher unannounced).

Diddy Kong Racing DS Drives Fans Wils

Custom Vehicles and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Reinvent a Racing Classic

An array of cute monkeys, tigers, turtles and crocodiles (who were somehow granted licenses to drive) populate Nintendo's newest Wi-Fi-enabled game for Nintendo DS™ Lite, Diddy Kong® Racing DS. The racing adventure further revs the engines of Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, which already has connected more than 3.5 million unique users worldwide for more than 100 million online game-play connections. Diddy Kong Racing DS adds another classic to this portable wireless community, complete with new tracks, upgradeable vehicles and a course-design mode.



Racing games have always been a popular choice for competitive gamers, particularly for Nintendo fans. From Mario Kart® DS, which has sold more than 1.5 million units in the United States to date, to the original Diddy Kong® Racing for Nintendo® 64, which was one of the best-selling racing video games for N64, Nintendo's racing games are ranked among the top. The newest addition to this genre of games, Diddy Kong Racing DS, available Feb. 7, is expected to race to the top of the charts as well. With its new characters, gamer tags and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection capabilities, this DS version will re-energize fans who remember the original, while attracting new ones to join in.

"Nintendo does mass-appeal racing games better than anyone," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Diddy Kong Racing's irresistible combination of characters, vehicles and adventures is sure to drive fans wild."



Diddy Kong Racing DS takes place on Timber's Island, which has been invaded by an evil space pig. Unlike traditional racing-only games, the game is a true adventure. Players explore the island and complete a series of racing challenges while piloting cars, hovercrafts and planes. The game features 38 different tracks and upgradeable vehicles with improvements in speed, durability and looks. Players can even create their own tracks using touch-screen controls and share them with others wirelessly. Up to six players can compete online via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and eight can race via local DS Download Play, even if only one player has a game card.

Diddy Kong Racing DS, Rated E for Everyone, is available Feb. 7. For more information about the game, visit DiddyKongRacing.com.

Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2, PSP, and Wii

Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is proud to announce Manhunt 2 for the PlayStation 2 system, PSP system, and Nintendo’s Wii™. Manhunt 2 is the debut title from the newly formed Rockstar London studio, which is developing the game in conjunction with series creator Rockstar North. The Wii™ version is being developed by Rockstar Toronto. Manhunt 2 will be available this summer.



"With Manhunt 2 we have tried to create a game that stays close to the original concept of chilling suspense and stealth, whilst pushing the game design and storytelling forward," said Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games. "We are also excited to have our newest development team, Rockstar London, working on the title alongside our two established UK studios, Rockstar North and Leeds."

Four Wii units sold for every PlayStation 3 in Japan

PS2 also outselling Sony's next-gen console

Enterbrain's Hirokazu Hamamura has predicted a price cut for PlayStation 3 after new figures revealed that the console is being outsold by both Nintendo Wii and PS2 in Japan.

According to Media Create, more than 80,000 Wii units were sold in the territory between January 22 and 28. During the same period Sony sold 21,000 PS2 consoles and 20,000 PS3s. Just 7000 Xbox 360 units were shifted as Microsoft continues its struggle to secure a foothold in the Japanese market.



Wii sales for the entire month of January stood at 400,000 units, while 150,000 PlayStation 3 consoles were sold.

The PS3 launched in Japan on November 11, followed by the Wii on December 2. Since then Sony has sold 614,000 consoles while Wii sales have topped 1.4 million.

According to Hamamura, who is president of Famitsu publisher Enterbrain, "There could be a price cut for PS3 by the end of the year, and more software titles will hit the market."

He said he expected PS3 "to be doing better after a while," but added, "Of course, the Wii will keep running ahead."

New casual games studio opens doors

Two industry veterans have established a new development studio in New York City which will specialise in producing casual games.

Operating under the name of Rebel Monkey, the new studio has been co-founded by Margaret Wallace. She formerly helped to set up and run San Francisco-based casual games studio Skunk Studios and will take on the role of CEO at RM.



Wallace has established the company together with Nicholas Fortugno, whose design credits include Diner Dash and Plantasia.

"Rebel Monkey came about as a meeting of like-minds - with a common goal of taking casual games to the next level," said Wallace.

"Both Nicholas Fortugno and I have been involved in casual games since the beginning, so we are bringing a lot of experience to the table."

Rebel Monkey has yet to announce details of its first project.