Walt Disney Internet Group and Shanda Interactive Ent. announced that the two companies have entered into an agreement to bring Disney's branded entertainment content to China's online game industry via Shanda's online game operating platform. The agreement calls for Shanda to develop, distribute and operate an online casual game based on the worlds of Disney and featuring some of Disney's most popular animated characters.
Cartoon Network's Emmy Award-winning animated series STAR WARS: CLONE WARS is now available for purchase and download on iTunes® Music Store (www.itunes.com).
Beginning today (May 25, 2006), the 20 chapters of STAR WARS: CLONE WARS Volume 1 are available on iTunes, with the action-packed STAR WARS: CLONE WARS Volume 2 following later in June. Each chapter, or episode, costs $1.99 while the full season of Volume 1 is available for $10.99 and can be viewed, after download, on a computer or on an iPod.
Atom Ent. Inc. announced that four new short films developed by AtomFilms Studio are premiering simultaneously May 24, 2006, on the AtomFilms website (www.atomfilms.com) and on mobile phones. Ranging in length from one to five minutes apiece, the new shorts provide unique comic perspectives on dating, classic videogames, canine friendships and even breast enhancements.
Exent Technologies, a global market leader in broadband-based solutions for monetization of PC and videogames, has launched a suite of in-game advertising solutions enabling in-game ads for new and existing titles without the need to access the videogames source code or any SDK integration.
The first episode of FETCH! WITH RUFF RUFFMAN part game show, part reality TV, and part spoof debuts online at www.pbskidsgo.org/fetch May 22, 2006. The series, targeting kids 6-10, mixes unscripted live-action with animation with an educational and comical take on one of America's most popular television genres.
The show features real kids, real challenges, real science, and an unreal animated host, a dog named Ruff Ruffman. Online, FETCH!s website offers FETCH! viewers the opportunity to play along with the show, even after the TV is turned off.
Ubisoft announced a long-term worldwide licensing agreement with Touchstone Television to develop and publish a videogame based on the Emmy Award-winning television series LOST. Developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studio and scheduled to hit retail shelves worldwide in 2007, the game will be offered for home and portable consoles as well as PCs.
For the third year in a row, Rick DeMott travels across town to E3 to uncover the secrets to the future of gaming.
Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG), the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Co., announced its largest and most diverse lineup ever of console, computer and handheld videogame titles at E3 last week.
Vivendi Games (VG) rolled out its top tier lineup at E3 last week. Among the companys highly anticipated titles shown during E3 was Blizzard Ent.s WORLD OF WARCRAFT: THE BURNING CRUSADE, the expansion pack to the worlds most popular massively multi-player online role-playing game (MMORPG). Sierra Ent.
Corus Ent. has announced its launch plans for a new direct-to-family digital download service TreehouseDirect. The storefront will allow for the purchase of single episodes, bundles or full seasons of popular preschool programs.
The SCI FI network has launched its new content-rich online broadband channel, SCI FI Pulse. The launch lineup includes full episodes of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA and GHOST HUNTERS, deleted scenes from those shows, as well as from Stargate SG-1. The channel offers the popular BATTLESTAR videoblogs by exec producer David Eick, audition tapes for the new reality show, WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO, behind-the-scenes featurettes from BATTLESTAR and DR. WHO, a full complement of channel ID spots, brand films and more.
On May 15, 2006, CartoonNetwork.com launched BIG FAT AWESOME HOUSE PARTY, a free yearlong interactive game that allows players to immerse themselves in the hit series, FOSTERS HOME FOR IMAGINARY FRIENDS, by creating their very own imaginary friend. Players will be encouraged to explore the ever-changing adventures with their new imaginary friend, play mini-games, collect upgrades and take part in every aspect of life at Madame Fosters famous house.
Last week at E3, THQ Inc. unveiled the company's portfolio internally developed next-generation console and Windows PC titles, mass-market licensed products and all new content for handheld and gaming system wireless devices.
Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. and Clint Eastwood announced at E3 that Gene Hackman and Laurence Fishburne will provide their voice and likeness in the upcoming videogame based on the DIRTY HARRY film franchise. Hackman will portray Police supervisor Al Bressler and Fishburne will play Reverend Carlton Clay opposite Eastwood as the legendary Dirty Harry Callahan in the game on next-generation consoles.
Sony Computer Ent. America (SCEA) announced that it would release PlayStation 3 (PS3) in North America on Nov.17. There will be two versions: The low-end model (with 20GB internal hard drive but no HDMI output) will retail for $499; the high-end model (with 60GB internal hard drive) will retail for $599). Both models will take advantage of the new Blu-ray disc platform for the next-generation in high-def DVD home entertainment.
In Hollywood at the Kodak Theater, Nintendo revealed had on displays its next-generation system Wii. Pronounced we, the company that Mario built showed off the consoles new numchuck-like controllers, which feature motion controls allowing players to move with the action of the games.
As the nationwide casting call for SCI FI Channel's new reality series WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO? comes to a close, one contestant spot remains unfilled. For the first time ever, SCI FI Channel is letting America choose a reality show contestant a worthy superhero in the making. Log onto www.scifi.com/superhero before midnight (EST) on Friday, May 12, 2006, to vote for the 11th and final contestant for WHO WANTS TO BE A SUPERHERO?, the new SCI FI Channel original series premiering Wednesday, July 26, at 9:00 pm ET/PT.
Comedy Central has ordered 10 episodes of Augenblick Studios' GOLDEN AGE, the first adult animated series to be produced by a major television network for broadband. The series premiered May 8, 2006 and will show weekly on its broadband channel, Motherload (www.comedycentral.com/motherload).
This animated dark comedy reveals the shocking true stories of the worlds strangest cartoon characters. Each episode uses a blend of mixed media to satirize classic cartoons from the past.
MGM Interactive and EON Productions Ltd. have awarded Activision Inc. the rights to develop and publish interactive entertainment games based on the James Bond license through 2014.
Since the initial release of DR. NO in 1962, JAMES BOND films have grossed more than $3.6 billion theatrically worldwide and approximately 30 million units of videogames based on the world of James Bond have been sold to date.
Learn more about Scotland's thriving gaming industry by visiting the Scottish Development International Pavilion, West 2400, at E3, May 10-12, 2006. Demo the latest games from top developers, such as Genuine Games and OuterLight and meet with key industry players from this part of the world, including execs from Real Time Worlds, F4G Software, and TPLD.
Cenega Publishing, a central European publisher presents its titles for E3.
EL MATADOR, a third person action game developed by Plastic Reality Technologies, puts players in South America and lets them experience the Drug Enforcement Agencys war on drugs. Given the role of a special DEA agent, codename Matador, players will be given an task to crush a strong drug cartel operating in Colombia. With some 30 weapons to choose from, the title is supported by the latest technologies.
SNK Playmore USA Corp., the U.S. publishing arm of the SNK Playmore Corp., announced that they will premiere five new games for the Wii, PlayStation 2, PSP, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance at E3, to be held May 10-12, 2006, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. SNK will showcase its titles in the Concourse, Suite #153A.
Debuting at this year's E3 are THE KING OF FIGHTERS 2006 for the PlayStation 2, METAL SLUG ANTHOLOGY for the Wii and PSP, METAL SLUG for the Game Boy Advance and SNK VS CAPCOM CARD FIGHTERS DS for the Nintendo DS.
Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, and TT Games, the makers of LEGO STAR WARS, announced a new LEGO adventure, BIONICLE HEROES, will be released in fall 2006 on PlayStation 2, PC, Nintendo Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and NINTENDO GAMECUBE (NTSC only).
Fans of Sony Online Entertainment's highly acclaimed Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games EVERQUEST, EVERQUEST II and PLANETSIDE, will now be able to share their online experiences with fellow guild members and friends by creating personalized digital comicbooks starring their online avatars using the SOE Comic Book Creator.
Sony Computer Ent. America announced its lineup of new software titles due out this year for PSP and PlayStation 2.
