Tagged With: Online

Escape Studios has launched their revolutionary CG online learning tool. The online platform allows students to become computer graphics artists from anywhere in the world and promises to open doors into the film, games and animation industries.

It means students will now have access to world class training in Autodesk Maya at the click of a mouse.

The online training tool allows entry-level students, or anyone wanting to re-train the ability to learn in their own time and pace, with instant help from Escape’s online community.

To kickoff the 2008 SOE Fan Faire, SOE President John Smedley will provide opening remarks to more than 1,000 video game fans at the Hilton Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The second annual "Community Address" combines a live presentation with a streaming video broadcast online. Smedley will give both Fan Faire attendees and gamers worldwide the kind of inside look at SOE products usually reserved for industry insider events.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that the long-awaited STAR TREK ONLINE game is nearing release.

Jack Emmert, Cryptic Studios' Chief Creative Officer said the player starts the game as the captain of a small Starfleet or Klingon Empire ship, customizing characters from pre-existing STAR TREK species -- from Klingons to Gorn -- or create a new alien race. Players increase in rank and gain larger vessels and more crew members as they progress.

The first edition of an all new online multimedia comic called Taymai Comic+ launches today. TAYMAI stands for "Tell all your mates about it" and specializes in viral marketing.

KidsCo, the joint venture channel owned by media companies NBC Universal, DIC Ent. and Corus Ent. have launched a dedicated KidsCo branded international online store. The e-commerce store is available at www.kidscotv.tv.

Online entertainment company KingsIsle Ent. have launched the beta version of WIZARD101, a virtual world designed for tween and teen audiences. In the expansive virtual world, beta testers will find themselves exploring a magical world in the role of apprentice wizard at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts.

NBC Digital Entertainment announced this week its full slate of content for their summer and fall seasons.

Among the highlights are original webisodes for HEROES, CHUCK and THE OFFICE as well as 30 ROCK 360, a new original digital production: FEARS, SECRETS & LIES and extensive digital features for each new show.

The announcements were made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.

In a strategic move to closely align itself with the strong growth of the worldwide online gaming market, Sony Computer Entertainment announced Thursday that Sony Online Entertainment will report to Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO, SCEI, effective April 1, 2008.

The new structure is designed to mutually benefit both companies by further accelerating the PlayStation business through SOE's strong online gaming expertise.

San Diego-based SOE is currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Disney Online, part of the Walt Disney Internet Group, announced Tuesday the creation of a new team that will focus on building, operating and publishing an expansive line-up of games, virtual worlds and online social communities: Disney Online Studios.

Steve Parkis, a Disney Online veteran, has been promoted to senior vice president and will lead the newly-formed group.

He will report to Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director for Disney Online.