Gamenews Weekly
Production Pages
Every month in Gamenews Weekly: Production Pages - games in development in Australia. To get the next issue, and lots more, subscribe to Gamenews Weekly today!

Dissecta Events: Check the Next Event Here

Next Gen
Aussie Based Xbox 360 Q&A
Aussiexbox.com.au has a lengthy user based Q&A with Microsoft on the Xbox 360 and related issues. For the article, click here. "How many launch titles will there be for the Australian release? Too early to tell but we’re guessing around 30 titles. The US went with 18, which made it one of the largest lineups on launch, and we expect developers to come out with new titles between now and then." [30 November 2005] [top]

Events
Australian Game Developers Conference 2005
The annual Australian Game Developers Conference starts tomorrow, running until 3rd December in Melbourne. This year, apart from the keynote speakers which include Ian Livingston of Eidos (UK), and Greg Borrud of Pandemic Studios (USA and Brisbane), there are many potential highlights including Machiko Kusahara (Waseda University) who will speak on Japanese game culture, Brian Jacobson (Valve) who will speak on the games business and design, and Halo and Halo 2 creators Bungie Studios represented by Aaron Lieberman. The Australian Game Developers Conference will be held at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and while the conference can be pricey, this year the organisers have a free presentation running Friday 2 December lunchtime, called Original IP - How to Get it Out There (12:40pm – 1:40pm, BMW Edge). Click here for the website. [30 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Report from Melbourne IGDA Show 'n' Tell Night
The Melbourne Chapter of the International Game Developers' Association had a project 'show n tell' night 16th November. They have now put a report online here, explaining the projects presented. Several projects are included in the report including a side scrolling shooter called Renegade RX: A Jake Granite Adventure Project from Acheron Design (their own engine is available for use free), and a GBA game called Project Esmay from four students who started their own business Revenge Interactive in which to place themselves for work experience requirements. [29 November 2005] [top]

Media
Updated Site for Local Jumpbutton Magazine
The team at Melbourne's own game culture and art magazine Jumpbutton have updated their site as they prepare Issue 2 of the mag. Click here for the website. [29 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Perth Independent Game Maker's Initiative
The Perth Independent Game Maker's Initiative is a new group who's focus is on developing games in Perth. The first meeting is scheduled for February 2006, and is relevant to designers, writers, composers, students, teachers, graphics gurus, or programmers interested or involved in game creation. They have a mailing list and a whacky logo, see the PIGMI website here. The group is keen to know from people who want to show a demo of their game/game art/technology at the first meeting in February. Also, you can find out about the Game Maker's Initiative at Massive 2005 on 8th December 2005, an annual event that pulls together the Perth content creation neighbourhood. For the Massive 2005 website, click here. [28 November 2005] [top]

Development
Article on Local Game Development and Financing Issues
The Age online article "Games makers seek local hero" provides an interesting overview of current issues affecting game development financing in Australia, and in particular, the role of and interaction with publishers: Trevor Nuridin, Tantalus Interactive, reportedly said "It may seem strange in an era of email and data transfers, but the biggest problem we face is that publishers want to feel they have easier control... They like to have a producer be able to jump in a car, go down to the studio and kick a few heads." Bill McIntosh, MD of Torus Games, reportedly said "I find it very difficult to compete with chequebooks the size of THQ in terms of retaining your staff and so on... These guys have the capacity to clean everybody out and that's a shame, 'cause every company that gets bought out diminishes the local industry. Essentially, you've got an island in the middle of Melbourne that belongs to the US." For the article, click here. [28 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Update: Bet On Soldier
The developer of the first person shooter Bet On Soldier says it has terminated its deal with UK publisher Digital Jesters. On the 14th November developer Kylotonn Entertainment announced "Digital Jesters has committed a series of breaches of contract and that Kylotonn has terminated the distributing and publishing agreement with Digital Jesters with immediate effect." Kylotonn indicated non-payment was one of the issues. The developer went on to state "The ownership of game "Bet on Soldier" remains firmly with the creators Kylotonn and Kylotonn will shortly arrange a new agreement with another publisher for this title in the UK and in the US." For the developer's website, click here. For background see Greek Publisher Secures Bet On Soldier, 31 May 2005. [28 November 2005] [top]

Retail
Update: Local Blockbuster Operations
The Business Section of yesterday's Age newspaper contained a small article on Blockbuster, stating in its full disclosure section that "Tough times in the traditional movie rental game have forced Blockbuster Australia to cull almost a third of staff from its Melbourne head office." Blockbuster also rents games (see Blockbuster's Woes Continue, 18 Nov 2005). 15 staff are affected, and were given one hour to pack up and leave on Tuesday this week the paper reports, commenting a further 10 positions are expected to be made redundant before Christmas. [25 November 2005] [top]

Development
New Version of Torque Game Engine
Oregon US based GarageGames has launched Version 1.4 of its five year old Torque Game Engine. Current enthusiasts and commercial users can upgrade for free. "With more than 200 new feature enhancements, version 1.4 represents a significant evolution in Torque's power as a game development tool," said Ben Garney, Torque technologies director for GarageGames. For their website, click here. [25 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Tokyo Access 2005 DVD Released by NextGen Videos
Gold Coast based NextGen Videos, in co-operation with the Computer Entertainment Software Association (CESA) of Japan, this week released Tokyo Access 2005, a comprehensive look at the next generation of videogames as seen at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show held at the Nippon Convention Centre in Tokyo in September. The DVD will retail at the extremely reasonable price of US$12.95, and contains 3 hours of content including an interview with Peter Moore, XBOX Corporate Vice President WW Marketing & Publishing, giving a personal in-depth demonstration of the Xbox 360's user interface, real-time demonstration of Metal Gear Solid 4 for Playstation 3, and the unveiling of Nintendo's controller for the 'Revolution' console. See their website here. [25 November 2005] [top]

Industry
MTV Further Aligns with Game Generation
With MTV currently running a week of gamer related content, coinciding with the launch of the Xbox 360 in the US, the media company has strengthened its game content with the purchase of GameTrailers.com, and other assets from GameTrailers LLC. According to GameDaily.com, GameTrailers.com is a popular site, and adds to a stable of entertainment related destination websites that include Neopets and SpikeTV.com (hosts of the recent Spike TV video game awards). For the GameDaily article click here. MTV's week of gamer related content is called GameORZ Week, and normal shows will include game content, such as coverage of the launch of the Xbox 360, reviews of recent games, short documentaries on gamers and professional gamers, social issues related to game playing, and on Saturday, coverage of the Cyberathlete Professional League's world tour. For an article on MTV's GameORZ week, click here. MTV is a Viacom Inc subsidiary, so too is Midway Games; the subsidiaries recently announced they were developing games together, with the recently released LA Rush a product of their collaboration (see Already Connected MTV and Midway Work Together on 3 Games, 29 June 2005). [24 November 2005] [top]

Next Gen
Xbox 360: March 2 Release in Oz
The Xbox 360 will be released 12:01am Thursday 2nd of March 2006 in Australia. Consumers will be able to choose from the Xbox 360 at RRP $649.95 and the Xbox 360 Core System (cut down package, no harddrive, wired controller) at RRP $499.95. Both packages come with a complimentary Silver subscription to Xbox Live. For the press release, click here. [23 November 2005] [top]

Next Gen
GameNews Weekly: Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility
The latest issue of our weekly enewsletter has a feature on the Xbox 360 and backwards compatibility: "Whether or not gamers have deeps pockets or time for new games, at some stage they will want to play their favourite original Xbox titles. And gamers always expect new consoles to be backwards compatible with the old software. But the Xbox 360 has broken with the norm and provided gamers with a lot of angst over the past months. Since announcing most of the details of the console in May, Microsoft has been dispassionate on the issue of backwards compatibility. Gamers have wanted to know whether their original Xbox game collection will be compatible with the new Xbox 360 and Microsoft has said maybe, depends on the game." The enewsletter comes out every week, and includes our weekly Game Japan news item (this week: Japanese developer Genki), industry sourced quote, editorial, and events list amongst other items. [23 November 2005] [top]

Development
Article on Long Term PlayStation Developer in Colorado
Starting out with a development deal in hand in 1997, development studio Idol Minds has become a successful developer working from Colorado USA, and specialising in PlayStation games. The studio is featured in the article "Louisville company tries to leave mark in video game world" in the Denver Business Journal. "The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that software publishing, of which video game design is a part, will expand by nearly 68 percent between 2002 and 2012, making it the fastest-growing industry across all sectors" reports the American article. Further, "typically, Sony developers start drawing a royalty after 300,000 units of a particular game are sold. Idol Minds has managed to draw royalties from five of its seven titles -- an impressive track record." For the article, click here. [22 November 2005] [top]

Events
First Person: Digital Storytelling Conference, Melbourne, February 2005
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image will presents First Person: International Digital Storytelling Conference, Friday 3 - 5 February 2006, with speakers Chris Crawford from the USA, veteran games designer and leading thinker and author of the seminal text, 'The Art of Computer Games Design', and Brenda Laurel also from the USA, writer and pioneer of designer games for girls. Cost: $165 full and $95 student/concession. For the conference webpage, click here. [22 November 2005] [top]

Events
World Cyber Games: Australia 1 Bronze
The World Cyber Games finals have now finished with Australia's Legionnaire (Peter Neate) taking a bronze in StarCraft: Brood War. Full results are below. Australia ranked 12 in the world rankings; USA came out on top followed by Korea, and then Brazil. For the national ranking list click here, for the StarCraft: Brood War results click here. [21 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Software Fights Hardware These Holidays
An article on Investors.com provides a good overview of the issues facing major game publishers when new console generations are introduced; "Microsoft's new Xbox 360 video game console might get all the press this holiday season. But it's the existing consoles with big installed bases, such as Sony's PlayStation 2, that will generate the most revenue for game publishers" starts the article. "Retailers are being conservative with the number of games they stock this year, and that bodes well for the industry's largest players, Electronic Arts and Activision, analysts say" reports the article. The release of new hardware this year, such as the PSP and the upcoming Xbox 360, will mean gamers have less money for software, and also that software will be competing with hardware for prime shelf space. For the article, click here. [21 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Activision and Dreamworks Animation Deal
US publisher Activision has obtained the rights to the next four upcoming feature films from DreamWorks Animation, includin

g “Bee Movie” and “Kung Fu Panda." Films currently in development include “Rex Havoc” and “How to Train Your Dragon” and the deal also extends rights to any future “Shrek” films. The rights are extensive, covering all platforms, the right to games based on their sequel, and to develop additional games based on the properties during non-film years. The deal comes on the back of an extension to the Activision/Marvel deal announced recently, and puts the game publisher in a very strong position given the current capability of the company to create popular and enduring games from the rights it holds. Activision is currently developing games based on “Over the Hedge,” which will be released in mid 2006, and “Shrek 3,” which is slated for release in 2007, and it holds the right to develop games based on the recently announced film “Madagascar 2,” which is slated for release in 2008. Activision’s “Shrek 2” video game was the #1 best-selling new release video game in Australia for calendar 2004, according to retail stats firm GfK. [21 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Take 2 Revels in Firaxis Deal
After working with US developer Firaxis Games since start of this year, Take 2 Interactive has bought the studio in a deal estimated to be worth up to US$50 million. Firaxis was founded in 1996 by Jeff Briggs and is home of veteran designer Sid Meier. Now that Civilization IV has been released, Meier is on tour, and will go to the UK 25 November to meet fans and sign stuff, at HMV, Oxford Street, London. Meier has been creating innovative and entertaining games since the early '80s, and has been the driving force behind a wide range of critically acclaimed series and games including Civilization, Pirates!, Railroad Tycoon and Alpha Centauri. For the Take 2 website, click here; for the Firaxis site click here. [21 November 2005] [top]

Development
Scoring NCSoft's AION
An online paper in Korea has an interesting article on scoring music for games, focussing on musician Yang Bang Ean. For the article, click here. [21 November 2005] [top]

Events
Casuality Europe, Feb 06; Casuality Seattle, Aug 06
The Casual Games Association, set up to explore issues surrounding casual games, has announced Casuality Seattle: A Conference for Game Developers, Publishers and Distributors, to be held in Seattle at the end of August 2006. The focus of the conference is on the business and art of creating and marketing fun games for a diverse world-wide audience; specifically casual games and what the entire gaming industry can learn from these games. A similarly themed conference Casuality Europe will be held in Amsterdam February 2006. For their website, click here. [18 November 2005] [top]

Retail
Blockbuster's Woes Continue
US movie and game rental chain Blockbuster recently released a Q3 loss of just under half a billion US according to MCVUK.com, continuing a downward decline in its fortunes. The company appears to be in crisis mode, with the MCVUK.com report stating the company is "warning that it would be forced into bankruptcy protection if a new credit agreement with lenders is not settled." Blockbusters UK specialist game retail chain Gamestation may be put on the block, bought by the company 2 years ago. For the article, click here. It is not known how this will impact the local operations of Blockbuster (and GameRush stores) but if a reader does have any news or comment please contact us using this form. [18 November 2005] [top]

Events
Heroes of the Pacific, 22 November
Game developer IR Gurus will discuss their latest video game, Heroes of the Pacific, at Dissecta's last event for 2005, to be held Tuesday 22 November at ACMI, Federation Square. Heroes of the Pacific producers Ben Palmer and Justin Halliday will be the key guests and discuss how they made the game. Heroes of the Pacific, for Xbox, PlayStation 2, and PC, has been receiving excellent reviews since release late this year. Game Informer, North America's largest paid circulation games publication said in its review here: "Heroes of the Pacific focuses on the aerial component of that war [WW2], and pulls it off with such finesse that it deserves a spot alongside such great WWII titles as the Call of Duty and Brothers in Arms franchises. Although Heroes is far from the first WWII flight sim, it soars high above other games thanks to its incredible attention to detail. (8.75 out of 10)." Independently produced by Melbourne based IR Gurus Interactive, Heroes of the Pacific has also been lauded by the game industry as a star example of project finance. Veteran US game designer and commentator Greg Costikyan recently put forward Heroes of the Pacific as an example of how game developers can find their own funding for new games, in a recent article entitled "Death to the Games Industry, Long Live Games Part II" published by The Escapist, the online game culture magazine; it is notable that Heroes was the only project finance example put forward by Costikyan. For the Dissecta website, click here. [17 November 2005] [top]

Society
Microsoft's Local Game Info Site for Parents
Microsoft has a new website targetting Australian parents, providing information on games and classification, and at the same time promoting Xbox consoles and games. Click here for the site. [17 November 2005] [top]

Next Gen
Revolution To Have Game Rating Access Control
Nintendo has announced it will include a rating based access control system in its upcoming 'Revolution' (code name) console: "by using a password-controlled setting, adults can decide what flexibility they'll allow younger players to have in playing video games rated 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+ or 18+." The system will also allow dedicated adult gamers to play without limitations. Revolution game software will include code that states the game's rating, and the feature will be standard across all Revolution consoles, a big call given there are a number of rating classification systems across the globe. It is similar to the parental control system announced by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 in July (see Xbox 360 to have Game Classification Monitor, 27 July 2005). [17 November 2005] [top]

Industry
THQ Actually Releases DAH! Soundtrack
As part of THQ's launch promotion for Destroy All Humans!, developed by Pandemic Studio's Brisbane Australia studio, a promotional Destroy All Humans! soundtrack was released. It now appears that this soundtrack has found a commercial release in the US, through independent label Lakeshore Records. THQ announced the commercial release this week. [16 November 2005] [top]

Next Gen
Xbox 360 Launch: More Accessories than Games?
Our sister-site NewGames.com.au takes a look at the launch details for the Xbox 360 in the US and UK, stating "In any event, the list of games for the European release only just outnumbers the list of Xbox 360 accessories." For the article, click here. [16 November 2005] [top]

Development
Activision Gets Extended Rights to Marvel's Spider-Man/X-Men
Activision, Inc. and Marvel Entertainment, Inc. have announced an extension to 2017 of the existing rights Activision has to make games out of Marvel properties Spider-Man and X-Men. Originally set to expire in 2009, the agreements cover exclusive worldwide publishing rights to the two properties for interactive entertainment software products for console, PC and handheld platforms. Games based on the properties have already been extremely successful for Activision, altogether reportedly selling over 25 million copies. Mike Griffith, President and CEO, Activision Publishing said "Spider-Man and the X-Men are two of the most popular entertainment franchises today and some of the most coveted characters in interactive entertainment." The announcement helps define the rights that Microsoft announced it obtained for MMORPGs based on Marvel characters, made in July this year (see Xbox 360 Gains Exclusive Marvel Based MMORPGs, 15 July 2005). It suggests Microsoft may need to deal with Activision should it wish to include the key Spider-Man and X-Men properties in its upcoming Marvel world MMORPGS, or go without. [16 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Elevation Looking at UK's Lionhead Studios?
MCV magazine online suggests in this brief article that Elevation Partners, recently in the news for its investment in a merged BioWare/Pandemic mega independent game development studio, is looking at UK's Lionhead Studios (Black & White; The Movies; Fable). Elevation has sufficient funds for investment, reporting as part of the BioWare/Pandemic press release it had a US$1.9 billion fund. The money of course, is intended to be invested. In April this year Elevation Partners was an unsuccessful bidder for UK's Eidos studio, eventually taken over by SCi Entertainment (see Eidos Bail Out Update, 12 April 2005). [15 November 2005] [top]

Movies
Xbox 360's Kameo: Elements of Power Animated Feature
Microsoft announced last week that Californian based production company Maxmedia will develop an animated feature adaptation of the upcoming Rare Ltd UK developed Xbox 360 video game “Kameo: Elements of Power.” To be adapted and directed by Sunmin Park (directed Sky Blue HD animated short film, produced The Others, The Emperor and the Assassin) with pre-production beginning 2006. For the press release, click here. [15 November 2005] [top]

Development
Tactica Online Beta Client Launched
After recently opening their online forums for Tactica Online, Sydney based Imaginary Numbers' have now released details of the game's beta client testing program. Registration as a beta tester is now open, and successful testers will be playing the beta version of the game in a few weeks. Testers must be over 18 years of age and have a video card that support DirectX 8 (ATI Radeon 8500+, GeForce 4 Ti) or greater, according to the developer. For information on the registration process, click here. [14 November 2005] [top]

Movies
Resident Evil 3
Resident Evil: Afterlife, is in pre-production, the third Resident Evil film to date. The director of the first and second films, Paul W.S. Anderson, is writing the third film, produced by Constantin Film and Davis Films, and with US distribution from Sony (Screen Gems). See this brief news report on the film here. The films are based on the Resident Evil video game property developed by Capcom of Japan, with the first game released in 1996. The first Resident Evil movie was released in 2002 and the second, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, released in 2004; both starred Milla Jovovich as Alice. [14 November 2005] [top]

Arcade
Sega USA Buys Arcade Business GameWorks
Sega Entertainment U.S.A. Inc announced early this month that it had completed its purchase of Californian company GameWorks L.L.C. GameWorks is a 17 venue arcade business with 14 venues in the US, and Sega says it has already started transforming the business by introducing new game products and "expanding its signature Arena Sports Bar & Grill concept across numerous locations." Sega comments "in just four months, SEUI [Sega] has installed more than 15 new game titles, totalling over 300 units in its properties nationwide" and indicates that it wants to lead the amusement and facilities market in the US. For the press release, click here. In recent years GameWorks entered financial difficulty. [14 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Mega Independent Developer Created
US based Pandemic Studios, which has a studio in Brisbane Australia, has got together with Canadian studio BioWare Corp, and US private equity firm Elevation Partners, to pool their resources and create a mega independent studio. The merger of the two studios into a new holding company BioWare/Pandemic Studios, supported by a cash injection from Elevation Partners, will create a development power house with the studios previously responsible for titles like Destroy All Humans! (Pandemic), Jade Empire (BioWare), Full Spectrum Warrior (Pandemic), and Baldur's Gate (BioWare). The studios each have two co-founders, and under the deal, all four will become shareholders and senior executives in BioWare/Pandemic Studios, with employees of both companies provided an ownership stake in the new business. Greg Zeschuk, joint CEO of BioWare Corp, said that the cash infusion will take pressure off both companies to rush games to market before their time. “Great video games don’t roll off the assembly line—they are an art form, as lovingly crafted as a film, musical score, or novel,” Zeschuk said. “That means taking the time to nurture top talent, then letting that talent work its magic." “BioWare and Pandemic will use our new alliance as a launch pad for exchanging creative ideas, cutting edge technologies and top talent while retaining our distinctive cultures,” said Ray Muzyka, joint CEO of BioWare Corp. “In a business where developers often must sell out to survive, this deal is refreshingly new: a partnership of equals.” The combined group, with current and available resources of the group valued at US $300 million by them, will immediately have more than 450 employees, with offices in Los Angeles, Edmonton Canada, and Brisbane Australia. Elevation Partners is a newly formed private equity firm with a $1.9 billion fund and six partners: Fred Anderson, former EVP and CFO of Apple Computer, Bret Pearlman, former senior managing director of The Blackstone Group, Marc Bodnick, a founding principal of Silver Lake Partners, John Riccitiello, the former president and COO of Electronic Arts, Roger McNamee, a co-founder of Silver Lake Partners and Integral Capital Partners and Bono, lead singer and co-founder of U2. For the joint website click here. [13 November 2005] [top]

Development
Developer's Tale: Call of Duty
The success of Californian developer Infinity Ward, established August 2001, is profiled in the very interesting Canadian article here. Bouyed by the incredible success of its first title Call of Duty for PC, the company tripled its development team and budget to make Call of Duty 2, just released through Activision. "The company made the first version of the game over 18 months for $4.5 million US with a staff of 25. The sequel cost $14.5 million and resulted in the studio tripling in size to a staff of 75 over two years." Infinity Ward President Grant Collier comments that once the development team gets to 50 people, it is impossible to keep a small company culture, in terms of having everyone know each other well. The studio did however, try and keep the culture positive. [12 November 2005] [top]

Genre
Stress Busting Game Doing Well
A computer game controlled by finger sensors is doing very well according to this Denver, US article. The game, called Wild Divine, seeks to lesson stress and has been developed to help people unwind. [12 November 2005] [top]

Development
By Crom: Conan Games from THQ
Publisher THQ, which has two devleopment studios in Australia, an internal studio in Brisbane and Bluetonge Entertainment in Melbourne, and Paradox Entertainment Inc. and Conan Properties International LLC have announced a worldwide, multi-year licensing agreement for THQ to develop interactive games based on Robert E. Howard's Conan the Cimmerian character, for all platforms although with a key focus on next gen consoles. Germaine Gioia, vice president of licensing at THQ said "combining the epic adventures and stunning environments found throughout the Conan Universe with next-gen video game technology will add a whole new chapter to Conan's rich history." (Paradox is not a developer, it works to unlock the value of properties like an agent). [12 November 2005] [top]

Industry
Game Developers Association of Australia Newsletter
The latest GDAA newsletter was issued this week, Issue 15 November 2005. There are a number of news items, including some pictures of the latest Tantalus game (their first for DS - Spongebob Squarepants) and the release of TY3 in North America. There are articles on the GDAA's work this year, and an interview with Firemint's Rob Murray. It will be up on the GDAA website shortly, in the meantime subscribe to the game development industry's newsletter on the details here. [11 November 2005] [top]

Classification
New Zealand: Chief Censor Reviewing Game Labels? </