Electronic Arts and Paramount Digital Ent. have revealed the first details of THE GODFATHER II videogame, the sequel to the 2007 multi-platinum hit. Inspired by the film and Mario Puzo's Corleone family drama, THE GODFATHER II game goes beyond the film's story by setting players in the world of organized crime in 1960's Florida, Cuba and New York.

NewTek's LightWave 3D artists will be discussing their projects at NewTek booth #159 at SIGGRAPH. These professionals have contributed to projects ranging from motion picture blockbusters, including IRON MAN, Emmy-nominated television programs, video games and other impressive commercial work.

Videogame developer and publisher Ignition Ent. has added two executives to its U.S. team -- Susan Hale as Executive Director of Public Relations and Melody Khanbeigi as Product Marketing Manager.

Hale comes to Ignition with more than 25 years of public relations expertise with posts at Disney, Universal and Tokyopop. Khanbeigi's background includes roles at THQ, Disney and Experian.

Technicolor, the Services division of Thomson has hired Rick Mischel as Technicolor Content Services' Exec VP, Animation & Interactive Services.

MAN-BAT

Real Name: Robert Kirkland ("Kirk") Langstrom
Occupation: Biologist
Base Of Operations: Suburban Gotham City
Eyes: Red
Hair: Brown

GEARS OF WAR, set up at New Line since early 2007, is being financed by Legendary Pictures at Warner Bros., per VARIETY.

The videogame from Epic Games and Microsoft will be turned into a motion picture directed by Len Wiseman and written by Chris Morgan (first draft by Stuart Beattie). New Line had pegged it for a summer 2009 release, but WB has not yet dated it.

Children's entertainment and media organization 4Kids Ent. has signed several key licensees to help launch a major worldwide licensing program for the hit children's property DINOSAUR KING.

Spike TV's critically-acclaimed, funktastic anime series AFRO SAMURAI returns with an original movie event set to premiere on the network in January 2009. AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION will have the voices of Samuel L. Jackson and Lucy Liu.

Award winning artist The RZA once again provides the original score. AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION is produced by Japanese studio GONZO in association/partnership with GDH K.K. and FUNimation Ent.

Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. has new additions on the LEGO BATMAN: THE VIDEOGAME website at www.legobatmangame.com.

The recently unveiled website is a doorway to Gotham City in the unmistakable LEGO-style. Choose your side -- Hero or Villain -- as you explore the streets of Gotham and uncover the city's secrets. The latest additions include the recently revealed villains Clayface, Killer Moth and Mad Hatter, as well as the heroic Nightwing and stalwart Bruce Wayne.

Comic book publishing studio eigoMANGA has released their event schedule for San Diego Comic Con 2008, which takes place on July 24-27, at the San Diego Convention in San Diego, California.

eigoMANGA will be exhibiting at Booth O8 in conjunction with Smorgousbord Productions:

Manga Art for Kids Workshop:

Sunday ROOM 30CDE 1:30-2:30pm

Artists and editors from eigoMANGA's comic book publications RUMBLE PAK and SAKURA PAKK will be on hand to teach kids of all ages tutorials on manga illustrations.

Portfolio Review:

Japanese manga and graphic novel publisher VIZ Media is starting a production company to create films from their catalogue, including NARUTO, BLEACH and DEATH NOTE.

Jason Hoffs, former production exec at Amblin and DreamWorks, will head up the company, based in Hollywood.

Japanese publishing houses Shogakukan, Shueisha and Hakusensha are the parent companies. Those three publish almost half of all manga that comes to the U.S.

Software developer and designer Playtech has signed a four-year, exclusive licensing agreement with Paramount Ent. for the classic blockbusters GLADIATOR and THE UNTOUCHABLES.

The deal gives Playtech licensees the exclusive distribution rights to a number of branded games based on these popular classics. The agreement covers both online games for Playtech's market leading casino game portfolio, and land-based games featured on videogame terminals, from the Playtech subsidiary, Videobet.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced at E3 that starting in September 2008, the PlayStation 3 80GB model will become the mainstay of the company's hardware line-up. The 80GB model will retail for $399, and will offer all of the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content -- all for the same price.

Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group is creating a video game based on Universal's blockbuster action-thriller WANTED, starring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. The game will be published worldwide by Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. and is being developed by renowned game developer GRIN, best known for its work on the TOM CLANCY: GHOST RECON ADVANCED WARFIGHTER series and the upcoming BIONIC COMMANDO. The film, which was released on June 27, 2008, has grossed almost $180 million in worldwide box office to date.

Los Angeles-based production company Logan contributed 12 minutes of original content to the recent release of videogame METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS (MSG4). Under the direction of Co-Founder Alexei Tylevich, the studio completed the entire project, from concept development through post work, expanding the gamers' universe that has developed across the series' 20-year span.

Harmonix, MTV Games and distributor Electronic Arts revealed at E3 Media & Business Summit new features for the next evolution of the groundbreaking music platform, ROCK BAND 2.

With the original ROCK BAND title providing millions of players with a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, ROCK BAND 2 builds upon its core band foundation to offer an unparalleled, deeper, dynamic gameplay experience.

ROCK BAND 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:

Talent from the upcoming animated movie, SPACE CHIMPS, will be featured in the videogame of the same name. Cheryl Hines (CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, RV) and Patrick Warburton (BEE MOVIE, SEINFELD) reprise their roles from the movie, Luna and Titan respectively, for the videogame.

Based on the film produced by Vanguard Animation and presented by Starz Animation, the videogame is slated for release on July 15, 2008, just days before the film's July 18, 2008 debut.

Electronic Arts has unveiled the games it will feature at E3 Media and Business Summit at the Los Angeles Convention Center July 15-17. The games -- scheduled to ship on multiple platforms in 2008 and early 2009 -- include riveting graphics, deep stories and online, socially connected experiences.

Windows gaming takes center stage, as today Microsoft Corp. hosts the Games for Windows Presents: The Big Picture showcase event in San Francisco, highlighting some of the most eagerly anticipated Microsoft Games for Windows titles of 2008, while also announcing exciting new additions to the portfolio.

Attendees will get hands-on experience with new games in a variety of genres, including debut gameplay of CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR, while some of the biggest names in the business will display new hardware that truly pushes the boundaries of gaming technology.

The Casual Entertainment label of Electronic Arts will bring America's top educational bestseller, BRAIN QUEST, to the Nintendo DS handheld system, just in time for back-to-school this September. In partnership with the New York based Workman Publishing Company, EA will release two BRAIN QUEST games centered on the curriculum-based series that has sold more than 28 million copies: one for third and fourth graders, and another for fifth and sixth graders.