LucasArts and TT Games announced their plans to release LEGO STAR WARS II: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY [working title], the sequel to one of the best-selling videogames of 2005. Created by TT Games and developed by Traveller's Tales, LEGO STAR WARS II is slated for release this fall across seven platforms PlayStation 2, Sony PSP, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Game Boy Advance and Windows.
The developers of LEFT BEHIND: ETERNAL FORCES the highly-anticipated PC game based on the blockbuster fiction series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins are set to launch the title in the second half of 2006.
Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) has launched the SCARFACE: THE WORLD IS YOURS Videogame Soundtrack Talent Search," a nationwide talent contest running on MySpace.com that will reward the best unsigned music talent in North America with the chance to have a song featured in the upcoming SCARFACE videogame and the opportunity to perform in front of music and videogame industry leaders at a major concert event in Hollywood. The nomination process is now open at www.myspace.com/scarfacegame.
DC Comics, Sony Online Ent. Inc. (SOE) and Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. (WBIE) announced plans to collaborate with legendary comicbook illustrator Jim Lee to work on a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO) based on the DC Comics universe.
SOE will be developing and publishing a game based on the DC Comics universe for next generation gaming platforms and the PC. It is expected that Lee will serve as exec creative director on the game, bringing his artistic flair and talents to the world of online gaming for the first time.
Comedy Central will launch its first original animated mobile series SAMURAI LOVE GOD, to premiere in first quarter 2006 and launch cross carriers with eight two-and-a-half minute episodes. The adult series features the voices of adult film star Jenna Jameson and THE DAILY SHOW correspondent Ed Helms.
Midway Games Inc., Tigon Studios, founded by Vin Diesel, and Viacom's MTV Films, Paramount Pictures and MTV Games announced a collaboration on a groundbreaking action-entertainment property, THE WHEELMAN.
THE WHEELMAN is being developed as a videogame from Midway, in association with Tigon Studios and MTV Games, intended to serve as the introduction to a series of related entertainment offerings.
Toon Radio has acquired the broadcast rights to the anime talk show podcast, ANIME GENESIS for its Internet broadcast. The a weekly hour-long anime talk show keeps listeners up to date on the latest happenings in the world of anime and manga, with commentary and discussion from the hosts.
THQ Inc. has released PAWS & CLAWS PET RESORT, a videogame for animal lovers pamper their favorite creatures at their own pet resort. Published by THQ's ValuSoft division, PAWS & CLAWS PET RESORT is rated "E" for Everyone and is available for Game BoyAdvance at retail outlets throughout North America for $19.99 SRP.
The Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. has granted Activision Inc., a leading publisher of interactive entertainment software products, the global rights, excluding Japan, to develop console, handheld and PC games based on Hasbro's renowned TRANSFORMERS brand. The first game will be tied to the much-anticipated July 4, 2007, movie release of the live-action TRANSFORMERS film from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures.
The Weinstein Co. has partnered with FamilyMediaGuide.com to develop the MEET DOOGAL AND FRIENDS MATCHING GAME, an interactive online game and sweepstakes, based on the animated movie, DOOGAL, opening in theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 24, 2006.
Originally released in Europe as SPRUNG: THE MAGIC-ROUNDABOUT, The Weinstein Co. (enjoying box office success with the animated flick HOODWINKED) picked up the picture and had it re-cut it, recorded new voices and renamed it DOOGAL, with U.S. direction by Butch Hartman.
Building off its success as an international publisher of video and computer games based on leading international children's characters, The Game Factory announced a significant expansion in its 2006 product portfolio at the 2006 American International Toy Fair. More than 20 titles, developed for young gamers, will ship for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and PC-CD ROM platforms. Titles can be purchased via national toy, electronic, videogame, software and mass-market retailers.
Don't end up in the doghouse for forgetting to buy your significant other a Valentines Day card. Warner Bros. Online has come the rescue with the "Scooby's Sweetheart Card Creator" on www.scoobydoo.com. The card creator allows site visitors to design their own Valentine's Day cards for free and print them out from any printer.
Warner Independent Pictures debuts its trailer for A SCANNER DARKLY on Ampd Mobile handsets today (Feb. 13, 2006), giving mobile customers in the U.S. get the first look at a feature film trailer before it hits theaters or the Web.
Screenlife Llc., creator of SCENE IT? The DVD Game, the top-selling board game in the world for the second year in a row, is adding more than a dozen new licensed and independent titles to its collection this year.
THQ Inc. announced the release of FINDING NEMO: ESCAPE TO THE BIG BLUE for Nintendo DS.
The original FINDING NEMO videogame, which launched May 2003, has earned best-seller status as a "Greatest Hit" on Sony PlayStation 2, a "Platinum Family Hit" on Microsoft Xbox and a "Players Choice" on Nintendo Game Cube. In addition, THQ has shipped more than seven million units across multiple platforms in more than 40 international territories.
LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. announced two new learning platforms LeapsterTV a new game console that extends the popular franchise to ages three and older and Little Leaps Grow-with-Me Learning System.
LeapsterTV, an educational game console that plugs into the family television, works with the Leapster educational software library, and the console's big buttons and easy-to-use joystick are designed with three-year-olds in mind.
Electronic Arts will release THE GODFATHER THE GAME videogame on March 21, 2006, in North America and on March 24 the game will be available on retain shelves in Europe. Developed by EA, the open-world videogame is based on the critically-acclaimed book by Mario Puzo and the classic film by Paramount Pictures through a strategic licensing relationship with Viacom Consumer Products. Gamers worldwide may step into the Dons dangerous world of intimidation and negotiation via their PlayStation2, Xbox or PC.
For Valentines Day, PorchLight Ent.s Jay Jay The Jet Plane is sending out a special invitation for children to create their own homemade valentines and submit them for viewing on www.jayjay.com. Once created, the valentines can be sent to Jay Jay, Lina, Tracy or any of the special Tarrytown friends. The valentines can be created in any fashion, using glitter, crayons or paper and glue.
All cards should include the childs first name, age and mailed to:Jay Jay the Jet Plane11777 Mississippi AvenueLos Angeles, California 90025
D3Publisher of America, Inc. (D3PA) has sealed a worldwide publishing agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG for videogames based on the forthcoming computer animated feature film, FLUSHED AWAY, produced by Aardman Animation. The first games are scheduled to be released for console systems and handheld systems in Q4 2006 to coincide with the release of the film on Nov. 3, 2006.
Konami Digital Ent. Inc. announced new titles and additional details for its 2006 lineup. On the heels of a year that featured the release of all-new versions of blockbuster franchises such as CASTLEVANIA, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION and KARAOKE REVOLUTION, this years roster will boast the latest versions of franchises METAL GEAR SOLID, WINNING ELEVEN and SUIKODEN as well as the companys first title for Xbox 360 RUMBLE ROSES XX.
THQ Inc. has the exclusive worldwide rights to develop and publish videogames based on the forthcoming teen spy movie, STORMBREAKER. The movie follows the award-winning author Anthony Horowitz's series of best-selling Alex Rider books. The videogames, developed by Altron for Nintendo DS and Razorback Developments for Game Boy Advance, are scheduled for a simultaneous worldwide launch with the movie in summer 2006.
Culver City-based Bugeater Films announced the first Park City deal ever of a videogame based on an independent film. Slamdance co-founder and OPEN HOUSE director Dan Mirvish struck a deal with Slamdance Guerilla Gamemaker Competition (GGC) winners Joe Bourrie and Patrick Hackett. Bourrie and Hackett, whose game RUMBLE BOX won this year's award for innovation in programming, will design a web-based java game for Mirvish's real estate musical, OPEN HOUSE, which Wellspring Media recently released on DVD.
Capcom announced the release of STREET FIGHTER ALPHA ANTHOLOGY and DEVIL MAY CRY 3: DANTES AWAKENING Special Edition for PlayStation 2.
Comedy Central has launched on iTunes, with 56 half-hour episodes featuring the network's leading franchises the Emmy Award-winning SOUTH PARK, DRAWN TOGETHER and COMEDY CENTRAL STAND-UP. A download of a new episode of hit-animated reality series, DRAWN TOGETHER, will be available on Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, three days in advance of the Feb. 1, network debut making this an "iTunes Episode Premiere."
MTV Networks and Apple announced Jan. 26, 2006, that hit television programming from MTV, MTV2, COMEDY CENTRAL, Nickelodeon and The N is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com). The new content features favorites, such as PUNK'D, SOUTH PARK, DORA THE EXPLORER, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and LAGUNA BEACH.
