In an unusually early bidding war, four studios are battling for a new videogame from Electronic Arts -- that hasn't yet been announced publicly, per VARIETY.

About a journey through the depths of hell, sources say the game is likely to be titled DANTE'S INFERNO, and while EA has cleared the title for use, it has not officially titled it. EA and its representation declined to comment Thursday evening.

Activision Publishing's CARNIVAL CRAZE, a brand new addition to its enormously popular videogame franchise based on DreamWorks Animation's SHREK. The game is available now for Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PC.

This year's EA British Academy Children's Awards will take place on Sunday, November 30, 2008 to celebrate excellence in all art forms of the moving image for children -- in film, television, video games and online.

In animation, CHARLIE AND LOLA, ELIOT KID, SHAUN THE SHEEP and SKUNK FU! are nominated for best animation, and CHARLIE AND LOLA, LITTLE PRINCESS, PEPPA PIG and ROARY THE RACING CAR are nominated for best preschool animation.

DR. SEUSS' HORTON HEARS A WHO!, RATATOUILLE, STARDUST and WALL-E are nominated for best feature film.

Film financier Legendary Pictures is in discussions to acquire Epic Games, the developer of GEARS OF WAR, among others, per VARIETY.

Execs at both companies declined late last week to comment to VARIETY.

If the deal goes through, it would make Legendary the first film financing company to invest directly in videogames. Studios like Warner Bros. (where Legendary is based) have recently started putting their own money into games.

Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, transferring from cable TV to the big screen, debuted with $42.03M and a box office win. Per VARIETY, it's the biggest box office opening for any musical in history. The film also saw $40M in 22 overseas markets, making it the first worldwide No. 1 opener since THE DARK KNIGHT.

Second place went to horror flick SAW V with $30.05M for Lionsgate (vfx by Switch VFX). The now-yearly Halloween staple is now around $2M away from stealing FRIDAY THE 13TH's title as highest-grossing horror franchise in history, per VARIETY.

Videogame publisher Activision Blizzard builds on facial animation technology created at Filmakademie's R&D Lab to raise the bar for in-game characters in the upcoming James Bond videogame QUANTUM OF SOLACE.

"Using the tools allowed us to enhance our production pipelines and shorten times for creating believable character animation," said Filippo Costanzo, Head of Research and Development. The technology was developed within the research project "Artificial Actors" at the Filmakademie's Institute of Animation.

Electronic Arts has closed a deal with Universal Pictures to bring EA's new franchise and top-selling videogame, ARMY OF TWO, to the big screen.

Scott Stuber, through his Stuber Productions shingle, will produce the film along with EA, and screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, who recently co-wrote the blockbuster THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, has signed on to adapt the game for the screen. Universal Pictures, Stuber Productions and EA are planning to begin production of the film in 2009.

The 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo will take place from June 2-4, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The re-expanded E3 will welcome all qualified computer and video game industry audiences, including international and U.S.-based media, analysts, retailers, developers and business partners to preview the latest in interactive entertainment and technology.

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS FEATURING NICKTOONS: GLOBS OF DOOM has shipped to retailers nationwide for PlayStation 2, Wii and Nintendo DS from THQ, Inc. SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS FEATURING NICKTOONS: GLOBS OF DOOM is the latest release in the successful NICKTOONS videogame franchise, which has shipped approximately 4.5 million units worldwide.

The game is rated E for everyone and is available for the suggested retail prices of $39.99 (Wii) and $29.99 (PlayStation 2 system and Nintendo DS). In addition, the game is also scheduled to be available throughout Europe later this month.

The Mark Wahlberg-led videogame adaptation MAX PAYNE won its opening weekend (ending October 19) with $17.64M. The Fox film has vfx by Mr. X and SPIN VFX.

Disney's BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA (vfx by Tippett Studio, Cinesite, Image Engine Design, K.N.B. Effects Group, Kerner Optical, Proof, Realscan 3D and Svengali Visual Effects) dropped one place after two weeks at the top, bringing in $11.4M for a three-week cume of $69.3M.