AWN Headline News

Square Enix and Verizon Wireless announced the availability of two new Square Enix titles for Verizon Wireless' new V CAST service -- FINAL FANTASY VII SNOWBOARDING and MUSASHI MOBILE SAMURAI. MUSASHI MOBILE SAMURAI will be available beginning March 15, 2005. V CAST from Verizon Wireless is the nation's first third-generation (3G) wireless broadband multimedia service for consumers allowing them to view high-quality 3D games and video clips because it runs on the Verizon Wireless broadband EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) 3G network.

Alias announced that Hungary-based computer animation studio Digic Pictures and computer and videogame developer Black Hole Ent., both subsidiaries of Cinergi Interactive Llc, chose Alias software solutions as their core tools to produce the realtime strategy computer game (RTS) ARMIES OF EXIGO. The title is a fantasy RTS game where the boundaries of the battlefield are broken and war is waged both above and below the ground.

Due to a new condominium project, the Animation Academy, which was operating at 3407 W. Olive Ave., will now hold classes at the Burbank Association of Realtors offices and Trinity Foursquare Church, reports the DAILY NEWS. The location were the school use to be is now part of a 3.8-acre Media District site designated for a Platt Cos. project that will include 220 condo units, 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, a church and a child-care facility.

Game Playmakaz ContestWorld Wide WebSeptember 9, 2005Deadline: July 31, 2005

Zango, the provider of exclusive free premium content online, announced the official launch of its Game Playmakaz Contest for independent game developers. The winning submission will be awarded a $50,000 game development contract with Zango. Finalist submissions will also be considered for Zango licensing agreements. Zango will announce the winning game during the Austin Game Conference in Austin, Texas.

Digital-Tutors announced the worldwide availability of FUNDAMENTALS OF FLASH: ACTION SCRIPTING training kit, the latest release in a library of industry leading training resources for digital artists and programmers. In two hours of invaluable training methods, users will easily learn how to integrate Flash into their workflow.

American Greetings Corp. and DIC Ent. (DIC) kick off the spring season with a STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE Seaberry Beach national promotion. Developed by DIC, on behalf of American Greetings, the promotion features a sweepstakes with tropical prizes.