Vivendi Games Mobile, a division of Vivendi Games, announced the launch of the CRASH OF THE TITANS mobile game, the newest installment of the billion-dollar-selling CRASH BANDICOOT videogame franchise.

Sierra Ent., a division of Vivendi Games, announced that the realtime strategy Windows PC EMPIRE EARTH III videogame has shipped to retailers nationwide. Developed by Mad Doc Software, EMPIRE EARTH III builds upon the success of the award-winning EMPIRE EARTH II and redefines realtime strategy games with a global approach to world domination.

Ubisoft announced that its IMAGINE series of videogames for girls 6-14 is now available at major retailers. IMAGINE ANIMAL DOCTOR, IMAGINE BABYZ, IMAGINE FASHION DESIGNER and IMAGINE MASTER CHEF are immediately available for the Nintendo DS for $29.99.

Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group has announced the promotion of Stacey Kaufman to VP, Digital Marketing and Tony Zito to VP, The N Online. The announcement was made by Steve Youngwood, Exec VP, Digital Media, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, to whom they report. Ms. Kaufman will simultaneously report to Pam Kaufman, CMO for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today condemned the controversial videogame MANHUNT2, calling its portrayal of mental illness irresponsible and stereotyped. "NAMI asks Rockstar Games to recall or further modify the videogame MANHUNT2 due to its irresponsible, stereotyped portrayal of mental illness," NAMI executive director Mike Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "We also ask retailers to be responsible in responding to public health concerns."

Electronic Arts Inc. announced that THE SIMPSONS GAME has shipped in North America and will ship in Europe on Nov. 2. Created in partnership with 20th Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising, 20th Century Fox Television and Gracie Films, THE SIMPSONS GAME features an original script created by the TV show's Emmy Award-winning writers and voiced by the original cast from the TV show.

D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) announced that new videogame BEN 10: PROTECTOR OF EARTH, the first-ever interactive title based on Cartoon Network's Emmy-winning animated series, has shipped to retail outlets across North America. BEN 10: PROTECTOR OF EARTH is available for the Wii, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and PSP.

With the latest videogame title THE LEGEND OF SPYRO: THE ETERNAL NIGHT with voice work from Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman hitting stores this week, The Animation Picture Co. has announced that it has acquired the screen rights from Sierra Ent. and Vivendi Games to SPYRO THE DRAGON, VARIETY reports.

APC will base the CG feature on the recent LEGEND OF SPYRO trilogy of games. Steve and Dan Altiere (DR. DOOLITTLE 4) will write the script.

APC's Dan Chuba, John Davis, Mark Dippe, Brian Manis and Ash Shah are the producers. APC is looking for a director.

Sony Pictures Imageworks will be demonstrating its work on the upcoming BEOWULF at the 2007 Australian Effects & Animation Festival (AEAF), taking place at the Sydney Convention Centre Nov. 13-15.

CG Supervisor Theodore Bialek will reveal how Imageworks created BEOWULF’s stunning imagery. Using the performance capture technique pioneered with THE POLAR EXPRESS, Imageworks created director Robert Zemeckis' version of the eighth-century epic poem.

At Nintendo's request, the Hong Kong High Court has intervened to help stop a global distribution operation involving game-copying devices and modification chips that violate its copyrights and trademarks in the Nintendo DS and Wii systems.