GameNews Headlines October 2006

* Game Connect: Asia Pacific, Brisbane, 30 Nov-2 Dec [30 Oct 06]
* X360 Locally Hits 100,000 Sales Mark [30 Oct 06]
* [NG] The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning [29 Oct 06]
* [NG] Track Mania United [29 Oct 06]
* [NG] Anarchy Online Free Offer to 2008 [29 Oct 06]
* Top Ten Games Week Ending 26 Oct 06 Now Up [27 Oct 06]
* [NG] D&D Online Expands with The Demon Sands [27 Oct 06]
* [NG] Bots in TC's Splinter Cell Double Agent [27 Oct 06]
* [NG] Just Flight Scenery Demo for Flight Sim-X [27 Oct 06]
* [NG] Guild Wars Nightfall Starting Up [27 Oct 06]
* Nintendo Going for American Oldies [26 Oct 06]
* Bet and Compete Website Out There [25 Oct 06]
* Casual Games Network Boonty Buys Gamehub [25 Oct 06]
* [NG] On Games Podcast - Ep 2 [25 Oct 06]
* WCG 2006: Korea, Russia, Germany [25 Oct 06]
* Lik-Sang.com Bites Dust, Blames Sony [25 Oct 06]
* [NG] The Burning Crusade - Now Jan 07 [24 Oct 06]
* [NG] Tony Hawk's Project 8 [24 Oct 06]
* Aussie Broadband vs Game Demos (Part 1) [24 Oct 06]
GameNews Weekly enewsletter Issue 58 24 Oct 06 now out: Aussie Broadband vs Game Demos (read this article online), with Editorial: Local Retail, Quote: DS, OFLC listings, and more.
* Pandemic Brisbane Studio Expanding [24 Oct 06]
* JumboPlay.com Download Portal Launched for Asia [24 Oct 06]
* Activision AU to Release Lost Planet? [24 Oct 06]
* WWE vs THQ and THQ/JAKKS [20 Oct 06]
* LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces Goes Gold [20 Oct 06]
* [NG] Expansion for SpellForce 2 [20 Oct 06]
* [NG] Call of Duty Website Relaunched [20 Oct 06]
* [NG] Scarface: The World is Yours Coming Early [20 Oct 06]
* [NG] Postal III Coming to X360 [20 Oct 06]
* Gametraders: A BRW Top 100 Fastest Growing Company [19 Oct 06]
* Game Audio Australia Announced [17 Oct 06]
* US: PS3 Pre-Orders in Short Supply [16 Oct 06]
* CNET CEO Resigns [16 Oct 06]
* September a Hot Game Sale Month [16 Oct 06]
* UK: Earliest Christmas Trading Ever [16 Oct 06]
* [NG] Show Us Your F.E.A.R. [16 Oct 06]
* [NG] Far Cry: Vengeance for Wii [16 Oct 06]
* [NG] Blue Dragon for X360 Japan [16 Oct 06]
* GAME Group PLC: CEO Change [11 Oct 06]
* CMP Acquires The Game Initiative [11 Oct 06]
* Tantalus: New Director of Development [11 Oct 06]
* Richmotion Live Released [11 Oct 06]
* [NG] Star Wars Galaxies 14-day trial [11 Oct 06]
* [NG] L.A. Noire Trailer Live [11 Oct 06]
* [NG] Star Wars Empire at War Expansion Demo [11 Oct 06]
* [NG] Archaeology Based Indie Game [7 Oct 06]
* [NG] Rainbow Six Vegas Demo - 23 Oct (X360) [7 Oct 06]
* [NG] Indie: Dirk Dashing [7 Oct 06]
* N3VRF41L Publishing: Digital Download Store [6 Oct 06]
* Game Dev Mag: EA is Top Publishing Company [6 Oct 06]
* [NG] Heatseeker for Wii, PSP, and PS2 [6 Oct 06]
* [NG] Demo: Battlefield 2142 Released Today* [5 Oct 06]
* [NG] Virtual Flyers: Relaunched Just Flight [5 Oct 06]
* [NG] Xbox Live Arcade: TotemBall Demo [5 Oct 06]
* [NG] Guitar Controller Industry Growing [5 Oct 06]
* [NG] Chili Con Carnage Announced for PSP [5 Oct 06]
GameNews Weekly enewsletter Issue 57 4 Oct 06 now out: Take 2 and Team Bondi,
Players Lounge, Editorial: Consolidation, lots of OFLC listings, and more.
* Warlords Battlecry III Now on Gamer's Gate [4 Oct 06]
* Xbox's McLean Talks Wingnut Interactive [4 Oct 06]
* Shiny Entertainment Moves from Atari to Foundation 9 [3 Oct 06]
* [NG] Indie: PixelShips Retro [3 Oct 06]
* EA Buys Sweden's Digital Illusions [3 Oct 06]
* Episodic Games [3 Oct 06]
* Qantm College Announces West Melbourne Campus [3 Oct 06]
* [NG] Star Trek By Bethesda Softworks [2 Oct 06]
* Teaching With Games, UK Report [2 Oct 06]
* NZ: Wingnut Interactive Ripple Effect [2 Oct 06]
* [NG] Gears of War finally coming to Xbox 360: Late Nov [1 Oct 06]

Dissecta Events: Check the Next Event Here

Events
Game Connect: Asia Pacific, Brisbane, 30 Nov-2 Dec
Early bird registrations are fast closing for the Game Developers of Australia inaugural conference, Game Connect: Asia Pacific. The conference will be held 30 November to 2 December in Brisbane, and early bird registrations close 1 November. The GDAA says Game Connect: Asia Pacific will be the first conference staged in Australia for Australian and Asia Pacific game developers, and will focus on best practice, learning, discussion, growth of game development and sharing of knowledge. Organisers anticipate over 300 delegates from across Australia and the Asia Pacific, including developers from Australia and the Asia Pacific region, publishers of game software from international and local companies as well as telephone carriers and game distributors. International speakers include Chris Avellone, Creative Lead and Co-owner of Obsidian Entertainment, Clinton Keith, Chief Technology Office, High Moon Studios, and local speakers will be drawn from Auran, Firelight Technologies, Game Audio Australia, IR Gurus, Tantalus, Krome Studios, and from New Zealand, Sidhe Interactive. The conference will also include the GDAA Annual Game Awards, with nominations fast closing as well. Click here for the conference website. [30 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
X360 Locally Hits 100,000 Sales Mark
Microsoft says that in just 7 months since launch, the X360 has sold over 100,000 consoles in Australia. According to Microsoft this means the X360 is the fastest non-handheld videogame console in Australian history to reach the hundred thousand mark. Software wise, 400,000 games have been sold locally in the same period. The Australian sales figures are based on research from GfK, the German owned supplier of retail based interactive entertainment market data. "The top selling games for the system to date include Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (Take 2 Interactive), Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Ubisoft), Call of Duty 2 (Activision) and Saints Row (THQ)" comments Microsoft. For the announcement, click here. [30 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning
Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment says that The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning has started shipping around the world, it will be released locally start of November. Read the full news item here. [29 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Track Mania United
Local distributor QV Software will release Track Mania United for PC when it's ready, which is expected to be February 2007. Read the full news item here. [29 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Anarchy Online Free Offer to 2008
Norway's Funcom says the "completely free and play-all-you-want offer in Anarchy Online" has been extended until January 2008. Read the full news item here. [29 Oct 2006] [top]

Charts
Top Ten Games Week Ending 26 Oct 06 Now Up
GameNews.com.au has updated its Top Ten Game Rentals Chart provided each week by Gameplay.com.au: Kingdom Hearts 2 for PS2 moves to the top position while AFL Premiership for PS2 from local studio IR Gurus continues to hold its own, down 1 to position 8, and now in the chart for is twelfth week. Call of Duty 2 has moved out of Top Ten for the second time after re-entering for a good eight weeks. The latest chart is for the week ending 26 October 2006. Link: Chart [27 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] D&D Online Expands with The Demon Sands
The developer of Dungeons and Dragons Online Stormreach, Turbine Inc (also making Lord of the Rings Online for Midway), has announced "the launch of a massive new DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ONLINE (DDO) module, The Demon Sands." Read the full news item here. [27 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Bots in TC's Splinter Cell Double Agent
The people who put together the bots in Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent multiplayer mode, French based SpirOps, have said that their bot AI "helps game developers bestow their virtual characters with realistic behavior, thanks to a new approach to Artificial Intelligence, called Drive Oriented. SpirOps AI allows virtual characters to learn independently how to live better and longer in their virtual world; adapting with evolutions in their virtual world and with the players' actions." Read the full news item here. [27 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Just Flight Scenery Demo for Flight Sim-X
Just bought MS Flight Simulator X? Just Flight have released a scenery demo that can be trialled in the game. Read the full news item here. [27 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Guild Wars Nightfall Starting Up
Korean developer and publisher NCSoft says servers for the latest in the Guild Wars series will be turned on today in support of the games release in the US and Europe, and then early next month, Australia. Read the full news item here. [27 Oct 2006] [top]

Growing Games
Nintendo Going for American Oldies
The LA Times reports on an expo being held in the US by AARP, the "leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in the United States." The AARP claims to have over 35 million members, and the LA Times reports "the chance to reach aging baby boomers has attracted some strange bedfellows to the event. On the convention floor, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will compete for attention with Dicker and Dicker furs. Anheuser-Busch will square off against Alcoholics Anonymous. Another quirky entry is Nintendo. A news release issued by the electronic game maker said, "Nintendo at AARP Convention in Anaheim … THIS IS NOT A TYPO."" For the article, click here. [26 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Bet and Compete Website Out There
Chicago based GorillaGamer Inc says its game competition networking website GorillaGamer.com "has successfully built a secure network of gamers who log on to challenge other gamers around the globe in head-to-head competitions for cash prizes." "Gamers are trading in their day jobs for their video game controllers, realizing the potential to earn more money playing video games online than working the 9 to 5 grind" claims the company. Members of the website are able to play against other members for an agreed pot of money, with the site merely acting as the network and transaction service. For their website, click here. [25 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Casual Games Network Boonty Buys Gamehub
Casual games company dba Boonty Inc is acquiring Beijing-based Gamehub, "a creator and publisher of multiplayer casual digital game titles with a strong reputation for high-quality casual games" reports Boonty. Boonty says it is one of the largest casual games platforms in the world, operating in more than 25 countries and that Gamehub provides Boonty with expanded capabilities for original high quality casual game development. For the press release, click here. [25 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] On Games Podcast - Ep 2
For an entertaining local video game podcast check out On Games Podcast from Charcoal and Makka, episode 2 is out now. Read the full news item here. [25 Oct 2006] [top]

Events
WCG 2006: Korea, Russia, Germany
The World Cyber Games 2006 grand final was held over the weekend in Monza, Italy, with 14 countries taking home medals. Korea topped the medal tally followed by Russia and then Germany. For the WCG website, click here. [25 Oct 2006] [top]

Retail
Lik-Sang.com Bites Dust, Blames Sony
Hong Kong based online retailer Lik-Sang.com says it is closing down, "due to multiple legal actions brought against it by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Limited and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc." Lik-Sang.com explains "Sony claimed that Lik-Sang infringed its trade marks, copyright and registered design rights by selling Sony PSP consoles from Asia to European customers, and have recently obtained a judgment in the High Court of London (England) rendering Lik-Sang's sales of PSP consoles unlawful." Lik-Sang.com commented Sony had said publicly indicated it was motivated by consumer safety, however this is disputed by the retailer. Pascal Clarysse, described as "formerly known as the Marketing Manager of Lik-Sang.com," commented "today is Sony Europe victory about PSP, tomorrow is Sony Europe's ongoing pressure about PlayStation 3. With this precedent set, next week could already be the stage for complaints from Sony America about the same thing, or from other console manufacturers about other consoles to other regions, or even from any publisher about any specific software title to any country they don't see fit. It's the beginning of the end of the World as we know it." For the Lik-Sand.com website, click here. [25 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] The Burning Crusade - Now Out Jan 07
Blizzard Entertainment says the release date for the highly anticipated World of Warcraft expansion The Burning Crusade is now January 2007. Read the full news item here. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Tony Hawk's Project 8
The demo for Tony Hawk's Project 8 is now available for X360 from the Xbox Live Marketplace. Read the full news item here. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

GameNews Weekly
Aussie Broadband vs Game Demos (Part 1)
Our latest enewsletter has been issued, GameNews Weekly Issue 58, 24 October 2006. The feature article, Aussie Broadband vs Game Demos (Part 1), looks at whether Australian broadband is up to the task of delivering value on downloadable game demos: "Australian households may not to be too far behind the pack with respect to having an always on internet connection, but speed and quota limits have an incredible affect on the quality and therefore utility of the service." You can read the article online here, and to get Part 2, just subscribe. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

Development
Pandemic Brisbane Studio Expanding
Pandemic Studios has announced the creation of a second development team at its Brisbane, Australia studios. Pandemic says the team at the studio has grown from a dozen to nearly one hundred employees in its six years of operation, and the expansion coincides with the launch of Destroy All Humans! 2. Josh Resnick, President of Pandemic Studios, comments “Pandemic’s Brisbane studio has enjoyed great success with the Destroy All Humans! series and we are excited to build on our tremendous base of Australian talent with the addition of a second team... with the release of Destroy All Humans! 2, our Brisbane studio is now turning its attention to the development of brand new titles for next-generation gaming systems.” Local industry veteran and creative director on Destroy All Humans! 2, John Passfield, remarks “the Brisbane studio had a blast creating Destroy All Humans! 2 and we’re looking forward to delivering the same unique Pandemic flavor to our fans in future games... giving fans the freedom to play the game their way is what we do best. The only limits to game-play are the gamers’ imagination.” For the Pandemic website, click here. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

Distribution
JumboPlay.com Download Portal Launched for Asia
Dragonback Media Interactive Group, formed last year with operations in Malaysia and Singapore, says it has launched JumboPlay.com – Games on Demand, a subscription based PC Games on Demand portal. Dragonback explains "JumboPlay.com – Games on Demand - uses streaming technology to ensure a smooth and easy gaming experience. The original PC game format is intact and subscribers need not be worried that they are downloading anything but the original, legitimate version of the game. Games are converted into a stream-able format, and are conveniently accessed, and download initiated, through one central website, housing the entire online catalogue." The portal currently has a monthly subscription of RM19.99 in Malaysia and SGD11.99 in Singapore. For the Dragonback website click here, for the Jumboplay website, click here. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Activision AU to Release Lost Planet?
It looks as if Lost Planet for Xbox 360, a Capcom game previously promoted by THQ Asia Pacific, is now being handled by Activision according to OFLC game rating data. Does this mean Capcom has moved to Activision? Only last month THQ distributed Capcom's Dead Rising for Xbox 360 in Australia. [24 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
WWE vs THQ and THQ/JAKKS
Publisher THQ and joint venture consumer product entity THQ/JAKKS Pacific LLC are being sued by World Wrestling Entertainment for breach of contract. WWE is apparently seeking temination of the contract. THQ and THQ/JAKKS Pacific have made a short statement about the lawsuit stating yesterday that "a lawsuit was filed on October 12, 2006 in Connecticut state court by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. against THQ and the LLC, involving a claim previously reported in Securities and Exchange Commission filings concerning allegedly improper sales of WWE video games in Japan and other countries in Asia. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, a declaration that the WWE is entitled to terminate the video game license and monetary damages. THQ and the LLC believe the lawsuit is without merit and we intend to defend ourselves vigorously." For the press release, click here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

Religious Games
LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces Goes Gold
The religious game LEFT BEHIND: Eternal Forces for PC, created by Left Behind Games Inc and based on the popular Left Behind series of Christian rapture themed novels, has gone gold and is expected to ship in the US early November. The company explains the game is "a real-time-strategy game, is set in an apocalyptic rendition of New York City. Players can command the Tribulation Forces as they attempt to save people from the Global Community Peacekeepers, commanded by the antichrist." Commentators have suggested the game could sell between 250,000 and a million copies, and if it hits the upper range then it will become a breakthrough release for religious themed games. For the developers website, click here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Expansion for SpellForce 2
Dragon Storm, an expansion for Spellforce 2 (PC), will be released early next year by publisher JoWood and can be expected to be available locally through Auran Games and Stomp. Read the full news item here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Call of Duty Website Relaunched
Activision says it has relaunched its Call of Duty website, CallofDuty.com. Read the full news item here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Scarface: The World is Yours Coming Early
Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment division says Scarface: The World Is Yours for PS2, Xbox, and PC, will hit Australian stores November 16, two weeks earlier than planned. Read the full news item here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Postal III Coming to X360
The next version of Postal, a series that has previously been banned in Australia effectively as a result of there not being a R18+ rating category here, is to come to the X360 according to the developers Running With Scissors. Read the full news item here. [20 Oct 2006] [top]

Retail
Gametraders: A BRW Top 100 Fastest Growing Company
The Australian owned video and computer game retailer Gametraders says it has made the BRW Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in Australia, "with average growth of 57% PA for the last three years." The Adelaide headquartered retailer says "with the average growth for all companies in Australia at 7% PA, this is a great result" adding that it now has "36 stores across Australia with more stores opening almost on a monthly frequency." Gametraders says it plans to have "100 stores by 2008 with expansion into New Zealand within 2 to 3 years." The retailer says it is now the only Australian owned specialty games chain in Australia "and offers potential small business owners a rock solid franchise opportunity in a fast growth industry." For the Gametraders website, click here. [19 Oct 2006] [top]

Development
Game Audio Australia Announced
Mick Gordon of Lava Injection Studios and Andrew Curnock of Beat Therapy have announced Game Audio Australia, a new game audio production studio "to meet the needs of an ever growing video games market both in Australia and around the world." The studio says that in "addition to providing audio services for next generation consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, Xbox360 and the Sony Playstation 3, Game Audio Australia is capitalising on the growing handheld gaming market by launching with a dedicated handheld audio division, to work exclusively on Nintendo DS, Playstation Portable, Gameboy Advance and Mobile gaming systems." Mick Gordon becomes a Director of Game Audio Australia and Andrew Curnock, Director of Handheld Audio for the studio. The studio is servicing local developers as well as other markets including America, where it can offer "a symbiotic 24 hour work cycle" explaining "as the US companies end their day with ideas of what audio solutions might fit the work they’ve created, Game Audio Australia gets to work on bringing those ideas to life; with previews made available the next morning." For the Game Audio Australia website, click here. [17 Oct 2006] [top]

Next Gen
US: PS3 Pre-Orders in Short Supply
The MSN money website reports that "GameStop Corp.'s [owners of GameStop and EB Games] offer to let anxious gamers get their hands on a small number of slots to pre-order the long awaited Sony Corp. PlayStation 3 gaming console didn't last long... In some cases, the slots filled within minutes. P.J. McNealy, a video game analyst for American Technology Research, said most stores had lists for just eight, 15 or at most 16 pre-orders." The article reports that only 400,000 PS3 consoles will be available in the US at launch, 17th November, with Japan having only 100,000 available. For the article, click here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

Media
CNET CEO Resigns
GameDaily.com reports "CNET Networks, which operates GameSpot among other sites, has revealed that CEO Shelby Bonnie has quit after a special committee found "deficiencies" in the company's stock options." For the article, click here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
September a Hot Game Sale Month
US sales data organisation NPD Group has released its September video game sales figures, showing a 38% increase in video game sales for the month compared to same month last year. BusinessWeek reports "year-to-date, the industry is up 11 percent and there are no signs of slowing down, according to video game analyst Anita Frazier, who added that a record year for the industry "is a given."" For the brief BusinessWeek article, click here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

Retail
UK: Earliest Christmas Trading Ever
"There may still be 70 days to go until Christmas, but many shops have already launched what experts say may be the earliest period of Christmas trading ever" reports the Scottish independent newspaper The Sunday Herald. The article goes on to report "Steve Burt, professor of retail marketing at Stirling University, said that Christmas creep is definitely happening. “Anecdotally it’s moving forward each year as retailers seek to make the most out of Christmas. It is now common to see the ‘staples’ of Christmas goods in stores at this time of year, things like cards, crackers and wrapping paper. Retailers have to make the most of this time of year, as that is where so much of their profits come from.” There is no clear answer to whether consumers are demanding more time to shop, or whether retailers are increasingly rolling out their festive displays early to prompt people to buy, said Burt." For the article, click here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Show Us Your F.E.A.R.
Vivendi Games' Sierra Entertainment and Viacom Inc's GameTrailers are running a short film contest to promote the first person shooter F.E.A.R. Read the full news item here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Far Cry: Vengeance for Wii
Can you think of a better way to use your Wii, than by killing a heap of armed troops on pristine beaches and tropical jungles? Read the full news item here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Blue Dragon for X360 Japan
Microsoft will release Blue Dragon for the X360 in Japan over the holiday season, a game created by Mistwalker and Artoon Co. Ltd with character design from Akira Toriyama, of Dragon Ball Z fame and music from Nobuo Uematsu, the composer of Final Fantasy. Read the full news item here. [16 Oct 2006] [top]

Retail
GAME Group PLC: CEO Change
Just a few weeks after announcing the purchase of Australia's The Games Wizards, The GAME Group plc announced 6th October in the UK that CEO Martin Long would be stepping down 31 October. The new CEO is to be current deputy CEO, Lisa Morgan, with David Thomas, Group Finance Director, adding Deputy Chief Executive to his duties from end of October. Long has apparently been with GAME for 13 years. For the press release, click here. For background see The Games Wizards Bought by GAME Group plc. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
CMP Acquires The Game Initiative
US based game media and event operations CMP Technology and CMP Game Group have acquired Texas based The Game Initiative. Part of the $3 billion market capped United Business Media, the CMP operations run the Game Developers Conference, Game Development Magazine, Gamasutra website and a host of other game related media and event focussed businesses (see also Game Dev Mag: EA is Top Publishing Company). The Game Initiative runs a number of professional game industry events, and CMP says "the deal, effective immediately, will allow CMP to expand its offerings to the burgeoning game development community in the areas of online game development, casual games, and other topics that the Game Initiative serves so well." For the press release, click here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Tantalus: New Director of Development
Melbourne based developer Tantalus Interactive, established 1994, has announced the appointment of David Giles as Director of Development, previously Head of School of the Academy of Interactive Entertainment Melbourne Campus. Tantalus says David has more than twelve years of experience in the video game industry, and was the Director of Development at Atari Melbourne House before leaving in 2004 to establish the Melbourne campus of the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. David will assume responsibility for the development function at Tantalus, working across a variety of projects on DS and PSP, and "driving the company's push onto next generation consoles." For the Tantalus website, click here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

Development
Richmotion Live Released
Mobile technology company ndWare has announced that its content creation tool Richmotion Live has now gone gold. Melbourne based ndWare says Richmotion is a "technology suite that enables anyone to create media-rich, interactive content for a large range of mobile phones. The Richmotion Live release includes an easy to use PC editor, comprehensive user guide and samples. Various example implementations are included, such as quiz games, animated comics and single play animations.... When the user is ready, a single button press compiles the content into a stand-alone Java application which can be downloaded to a handset. The complexity of the compile process is completely hidden from the user, making it usable by anyone." A free evaluation version of Richmotion Live is available for download now, or it can be purchased online for $295 US. For the Richmotion website, click here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Star Wars Galaxies 14-day trial
LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment are looking to beef up the number of players on their MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies, rolling out a 14 day completely free trial, and a bonus expansion for those players that continue after the trial. Read the full news item here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] L.A. Noire Trailer Live
The trailer for next gen detective game L.A. Noire, being developed at Sydney's Team Bondi studio and recently picked up by Rockstar Games, was released just under a week ago but has already clocked up 105,000 downloads on GameTrailers.com alone. Read the full news item here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Star Wars Empire at War Expansion Demo
LucasArts' Star Wars Empire at War: Forces of Corruption expansion for Star Wars: Empire at War, has gone gold and will ship to retail stores in Australia October 25. Read the full news item here. [11 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Archaeology Based Indie Game
An independently made UK "adventure meets archaeology" point-and-click horror game has been released by Lighthouse Interactive in select European countries. Read the full news item here. [7 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Rainbow Six Vegas Demo - 23 Oct (X360)
Ubisoft says a demo of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas will be available for the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live, on 23 October 2006. Read the full news item here. [7 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Indie: Dirk Dashing
US based independent developer My Game Company has released Dirk Dashing: Secret Agent 1.0, a cartoon-style side-scrolling platform game. Read the full news item here. [7 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
N3VRF41L Publishing: Digital Download Store
Queensland based, Auran Games affiliated company, N3VRF41L Publishing says it has "entered the rapidly growing casual games market, with a digital download shop." N3VRF41L Publishing was launched May this year to publish Auran Games and third party products. The digital download site utilises the service of US based Macrovision company Trymedia Systems, Inc, a provider of secure digital distribution products and services for the video gaming industry, and which claims to "operate the world’s largest distribution network for downloadable PC games." For the N3VRF41L Publishing digital download site, click here. Background: N3VRF41L Publishing. [6 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Game Dev Mag: EA is Top Publishing Company
Game Developer Magazine, one of several products from US based CMP Game Group who also own Game Developers Conference and Gamasutra.com, are about to publish their 2006 Top 20 Publishers guide (Oct Issue). The Mag says it takes six key measures into consideration in creating the top 20: revenue, number of title releases, average game review score, quality of producers, reliability of milestone payments, and the quality of staff pay and perks. Information comes from independent sources and anonymous feedback. The Mag reports "for the fourth consecutive year, veteran Redwood City-headquartered publisher EA has held its position at first place, in the face of legal fees from last year's labor practice issues, and a fourth quarter 2006 earnings loss. EA has continued to deliver the highest number of releases, and has generated the highest revenue of any publisher. The games giant also received positive feedback ratings from developers, signaling significant improvements in the company's human resources dealings." Nintendo is in second spot with the Mag explaining "Nintendo benefited from a significant boost in the number of games released, including several million-unit sellers such as Nintendogs and New Super Mario Bros. The Japanese publisher also snatched the highest scores for milestone payments and producers this year, helping propel the company ahead of Activision and Microsoft." Activision dropped back to third as "a decrease in the number of titles released over the past 12 months impacted their overall position" the Mag commented. Microsoft has dropped to position 6, and Buena Vista Games has appeared in the top 20 for the first time, "thanks largely to the success of Kingdom Hearts II, which has sold more than one million copies." For the Mag website, click here. [6 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Heatseeker for Wii, PSP, and PS2
UK publisher Codemasters has announced Heatseeker, an "original title that’s set to be the most explosive, destructive and exhilarating arcade aerial combat experience ever" and a joint development project with Melbourne based IR Gurus (Heroes of the Pacific). Read the full news item here. [6 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Demo: Battlefield 2142 Released Today*
EA is releasing the Battlefield 2142 demo today at 3pm, although it will be * exclusive for the first 24 hours to those who have pre-ordered the game. Read the full news item here. [5 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Virtual Flyers: Relaunched Just Flight Website
UK flight simulator developer and publisher Just Flight has relaunched its website adding an RSS news feed, streaming videos, and updated support information. Read the full news item here. [5 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Xbox Live Arcade: TotemBall Demo
A demo for the Xbox Live Vision compatible game TotemBall has been released on Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360, for free download by gold and silver members. Read the full news item here. [5 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Guitar Controller Industry Growing
A Californian company has released a guitar controller just for kids explaining "transform even the youngest of PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system gamers into the ultimate rocker with The Ant Commandos' Shredder Guitar Controller this holiday season." Read the full news item here. [5 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Chili Con Carnage Announced for PSP
UK publisher Eidos has announced Chili Con Carnage for PSP: "Go loco in the seedy underworld of Los Toros as Ramiro Cruz, avenging the assassination of his father by creating maximum carnage in the inner circles of the local kingpin Cesar Morales’ drug cartel." Read the full news item here. [5 Oct 2006] [top]

Digital Distribution
Warlords Battlecry III Now on Gamer's Gate
The locally developed late '90s game Warlords Battlecry III from studio Infinite Interactive continues to get out to gamers, with the game now available via the Gamer's Gate downloadable strategy game website. The game will be sold for US$9.99, and is described by Gamer's Gate as the game that "expands the Battlecry tradition of featuring persistent RPG-like fantasy heroes with its retinue of loyal followers fighting massive battles in the Warlords' world of Etheria. It is a true sequel to Warlords Battlecry I & II, featuring many familiar races and troop-types, while also adding some new ones into the mix." The game comes to Gamer's Gate via Enlight Entertainment. Click here for Gamer's Gate Warlords Battlecry III page. [4 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Xbox's McLean Talks Wingnut Interactive
Stuff.co.nz has a lengthy article on the Wingnut Interactive story, based around an interview with Xbox's local head David McLean: "Obviously, the importance of the deal, especially for Microsoft, is not lost on McLean. "It will put New Zealand at the heart of the (games and movie) industry," he said." The article goes on to quote McLean stating "I think it is important that he [Peter Jackson] is a gamer. He started his announcement by saying this is not a game, this is not a movie, but a new form of entertainment. Here is someone who understands us, someone who is going to make something for us, and here is someone who is really going to do justice to Halo. When he announced he was going to be involved in the Halo movie, everyone took that seriously, based on his past record." For the article, click here. [4 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
Shiny Entertainment Moves from Atari to Foundation 9
Atari and Foundation 9 have separately announced the transfer of developer Shiny Entertainment from Atari to Foundation 9. Atari opened its press release with "Atari, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATAR) a leader in interactive entertainment, today announced the completion of the Company's strategic internal studio divesture through the sale of Shiny Entertainment to Foundation 9 Entertainment. The operational streamlining and portfolio refocus was announced by Atari in early 2006." Foundation 9 said "Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent game developer in North America, announced today that it acquired the non-game assets of Shiny Entertainment Studio from Atari, Inc. in an acquisition funded by Foundation 9’s recent investment from Francisco Partners." Atari indicates the transfer heralds the final phase of its strategic restructuring with David Pierce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atari, Inc stating "we now have a centralized organization that can utilize external studio execution while maintaining internal focus on creative development and production." Such comments from Atari also seem to imply Atari's Australian development studio will remain in the Atari fold. Shiny Entertainment is the developer of the Earthworm Jim series, a property which will stay with Atari. For the Foundation 9 website, click here. [3 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Indie: PixelShips Retro
Canadian developer Pixelmusement says it has released PixelShips Retro, an old skool arcade-styled shooting game. Read the full news item here. [3 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
EA Buys Sweden's Digital Illusions
TheStreet.com reports that Electronic Arts has bought Sweden's Digital Illusions game studio, the developers of the Battlefield series. The purchase comes just as the latest Battlefield game is to be release, Battlefield 2142, late this month. The article reports "DICE shareholders will receive about $9.24 a share in cash for the approximately 2.6 million shares, making the deal worth about $24 million. Shareholders will be paid Oct. 16." For the brief article, click here. [3 Oct 2006] [top]

Development
Episodic Games
CNNMoney.com takes a look at episodic games today, starting their report with the observation that "the days of the Saturday matinee may have long faded from the local cinema, but they could be rising again in the world of video games like "Half-Life 2" and "Halo." Cliffhangers, which have been somewhat rare in games of yore, have come into vogue in the last few years - and the rise of episodic gaming hints we may be seeing a lot more of them." For the interesting article, click here. [3 Oct 2006] [top]

Education
Qantm College Announces West Melbourne Campus
Brisbane based Qantm College, part of the SAE Institute group, says it "has finalised the location for its new Melbourne Campus with building work starting immediately." The location is just outside the Melbourne CBD, at 11 - 17 Jeffcott St, West Melbourne. For the Qantm website, click here. [3 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Star Trek By Bethesda Softworks
Several new Star Trek games will be completed by Bethesda Softworks (Elder Scrolls) soon: STAR TREK: Legacy (Xbox 360, PC), STAR TREK: Tactical Assault (PSP and DS), and STAR TREK: Encounters (PS2). The are schedule for release in US during our Spring, in time for the 40th anniversary of the Star Trek TV show, however it is unclear when they will be released locally. Read the full news item here. [2 Oct 2006] [top]

Education
Teaching With Games, UK Report
A report entitled Teaching with Games has been released in the UK, which covers the findings of a one-year research project conducted in the UK by "education innovator" Futurelab supported by Electronic Arts. The research investigated how commercial computer games can be used in the classroom and the report "highlights that using games in lessons is motivating and engaging, and teachers believe that they improve students’ computer skills, strategic thinking and problem solving." For the FutureLab Teaching with Games website, click here, to go straight to the findings page, click here. [2 Oct 2006] [top]

Industry
NZ: Wingnut Interactive Ripple Effect
Stuff.co.nz reports on the ripple effect of the establishment of Wingnut Interactive will have on the game industry in New Zealand: "Microsoft and Peter Jackson's decision to build a computer games studio in Wellington will provide a much-needed fillip for the profile of the New Zealand industry, and may even boost flagging enrolments in tertiary ICT courses." The article goes on to state "Mario Wynands, head of the Game Developers Association and the country's largest games studio Sidhe, says it's becoming harder for games developers worldwide to find programmers, and the creation of Wingnut Interactive may tempt people into the field." For the interesting article, click here. For background see news item Microsoft and Peter Jackson Deal: Studio, Halo. [2 Oct 2006] [top]

From Newgames.com.au
[NG] Gears of War finally coming to Xbox 360: Late Nov
Microsoft and Epic games are set to release Gears of War for Xbox 360 in late November, a game which has been a long time coming: Gears of War "tells the harrowing story of mankind’s struggle against the monstrous Locust Horde through stunning high-definition graphics and an intense storyline on the scale of a blockbuster movie" reports Microsoft. Read the full news item here. [1 Oct 2006] [top]

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