Saturday, May 17

MySims Kingdom Announced

The next installment in the cutesy Nintendonized world of MySims is slated for release, and even has a title to go along with that announcement; MySims Kingdom.

Launching exclusively on the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ platforms, MySims Kingdom sets you on a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom.


There's going to be a lot more to do, build, see, and interact with in MySims Kingdom, and you'll be able to do it all sometime in the Fall of 2008. Get your God powers ready to control another weird little world.

EA announces MySims Kingdom, the next experience in the popular MySims franchise, coming in Fall 2008

Guildford, UK — May 14, 2008 — The Sims™, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) Label, today announced first details for MySims™ Kingdom, the next experience from the creators of MySims™. Launching exclusively on the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ platforms, MySims Kingdom sets you on a story of adventure, discovery and exploration to help King Roland and his subjects revitalize the Kingdom. Launching globally in autumn 2008, MySims Kingdom for the Wii and Nintendo DS puts the creativity in your hands to make the Kingdom something to behold!

MySims Kingdom for the Wii
King Roland needs your help to make the Kingdom a better place. Throughout this tale to bring the Kingdom back to its former glory, you must help new and old friends alike, discover new lands and build to the limit of your imagination.

Your MySims Kingdom experience begins in The Capital, the majestic land at the center of your story-telling. Check out the Castle, explore this first land and begin to meet your first set of new friends, including King Roland, Princess Butter, and the Wizard Marlon. Find out more of what awaits you here and then get in your boat to sail to many more lands on the horizon!

Throughout your journey new characters, lands, and clever new contraptions will be revealed. Construct and do everything from tending your pigs to finding treasure chests. Newly-added building options will help you accomplish the tasks you're challenged with along the way, including building broken bridges. In true MySims fashion, everything is customizable, allowing every creation within your world to have a signature look.

There is a lot more to discover in regions beyond The Capital, so stay tuned for more characters, contraptions and lands that are yet to be revealed!

MySims Kingdom for Nintendo DS
Take the Kingdom with you! MySims Kingdom on Nintendo DS adds a new chapter to the saga, challenging you to help the King thwart the plans of evil in a far flung corner of the Kingdom. Many new activities and mini-games are included to help you persuade the King that your island is the ultimate royal destination.

"MySims has been met with such enthusiasm by players and families everywhere, we are excited to make MySims its own franchise within The Sims Label," said Rod Humble, Head of Studio for The Sims Label. "MySims Kingdom has players helping King Roland and his subjects make the MySims world a better place by completing rewarding quests, building houses, bridges or even making contraptions powered by electricity or water. And MySims Kingdom on Nintendo DS, adds many new activities such as kayaking, ski jumping, populating the town zoo and many others!"

Since its launch in September 2007, MySims quickly rose to global success and is loved by players everywhere, having sold 2.8 million copies worldwide to date. The second installment in the franchise, MySims Kingdom, will hit retail shelves across North America, Europe and Asia in Fall of 2008. For more information on MySims, please visit www.mysims.com.






-Undrallio


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Deadline Passes Silently

In case you're still keeping track, the deadline for EA's deal to the stockholders of Take-Two has passed...rather silently. Last Friday Take-Two released this statement about the deal, "It is in (EA's) court." There has been no word from EA regarding the deal.







-Ryizzel


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Friday, May 16

DualShock 3 Makes Over 10.9 Million in Sales

Not surprising anyone in particular, DualShock 3 is doing pretty well in America. According to SCEA the DualShock 3 has generated more than $10.9 million in sales.

This is pretty good news, considering Sony will be dropping the sixaxis controller in the near future.






-Ryizzel


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SCEA Finally Replaces Phil Harrison


So everyone remembers when Phil Harrison became the Dictator for Life President of Infogrames right? Did anyone notice that SCEA (Phil's former company) was without official direction for a while? Me too.

That problem has now been solved however, Shuhei Yoshida, the former Senior Vice President of Product Development at SCEA has gathered up his possessions and moved into Phil Harrison's previous title slot.

Congratulations Yoshida, you now are trying to fill the shoes of the super awesome Philinator.






-Undrallio


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Thursday, May 15

CBS Acquires CNET

Today CBS announced that it will be acquiring CNET for $11.50 a share, which amounts to 1.8 billion dollars. Through this acquisition CBS will add Gamespot, BNET, CNET news.com, UrbanBaby, CHOW, Search.com, MP3.com, mySimon, ZDNet and Tech Republic to it's vast online network.

The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.


....Sooo, I guess Gamespot is going to change the ratings of the CSI game to a 10/10 now, right?

Press release after the break.

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) has entered into an agreement to acquire CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET), it was announced today by Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBS Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, CBS will make a cash tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of CNET Networks for $11.50 per share, representing an equity value of approximately $1.8 billion. The acquisition will make CBS one of the 10 most popular Internet companies in the United States, with a combined 54 million unique users per month, and approximately 200 million users worldwide.

"There are very few opportunities to acquire a profitable, growing, well-managed Internet company like CNET Networks," said Moonves. "CBS stands for premium content and unparalleled reach, and CNET Networks will add a tremendous platform to extend our complementary entertainment, news, sports, music and information content to a whole new global audience. Together, CBS and CNET Networks will have significant additional exposure to the fastest- growing advertising sector and can accelerate our growth through a number of new content, promotion and advertising initiatives. We could not be more pleased with the prospect of adding CNET Networks and its tremendous team of people to the CBS family. I look forward to working with Quincy Smith, Neil Ashe and the considerable combined talent at both companies, as we build upon our success."

Based in San Francisco, CNET Networks owns many of the Internet's leading entertainment, news and information sites including CNET, ZDNet, GameSpot.com, TV.com, mp3.com, CNET news.com, UrbanBaby, CHOW, Search.com, BNET, MySimon and TechRepublic. The company, which reported significant profits in 2007 on revenues of $406 million, has a large international footprint, particularly in China.

Upon closing, CNET Networks' sites will be combined with CBS's stable of dynamic and growing interactive businesses. These include CBS.com, CBSSports.com, CBSCollegeSports.com, MaxPreps.com, CBSNews.com, last.fm, Wallstrip, MobLogic, CBS Radio and CBS Television Stations digital media platforms, and the distribution network of the CBS Audience Network, which is made up of more than 300 partner Web sites and reaches 82% of all online users in the United States.

"The core businesses of CNET Networks and CBS Interactive represent near perfect category symmetry in premium online content," said Quincy Smith, President, CBS Interactive. "Together we will have a terrific opportunity to not only grow our established businesses, but to build new attractive verticals of content as well. This is the beginning of an era for both CBS and CNET Networks; plus, it's going to be great to work with Neil and his team, many of whom I have known for many years."

"We're thrilled to join CBS and combine our interactive media experience with CBS's world-class content," said Neil Ashe, Chief Executive Officer, CNET Networks, Inc. "CNET Networks operates some of the most important premium online brands, serving the most sought after online audiences. Today's announcement brings together two organizations that complement each other and working with Leslie, Quincy and the talented people at CBS, we look forward to taking our business and our brands to the next level."

"We look forward to completing the acquisition of CNET Networks and the terrific benefits it brings to CBS as Quincy, Neil and their combined teams build upon our success," Moonves concluded. "At the same time our strong cash flow allows us to pay among the highest dividends in the industry, and we are committed to continue to pay our attractive dividend to return value to shareholders."

The Board of Directors of CNET Networks has unanimously approved the merger agreement and unanimously recommends that CNET Networks stockholders accept the tender offer and tender their shares.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year.





-Ryizzel


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Platinum Games Announces Four Game Deal

Platinum Games, previously Seeds and the masterminds behind Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, Steel Battalion, Viewtiful Joe, and Okami have announced that they have a 4 game publishing deal with Sega, and have revealed 3 of them to us.

They are: Madworld, Bayonetta, Infinite Line, and one not-yet revealed game. Check em out with some screenshots after the jump.

Madworld on the Wii, full of "Irreverent humor and over-the-top violence."



Bayonetta on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 which the creator of Devil May Cry defines as "Magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions.



The last one is Infinite Line on the DS "Gives players the ability to control, build, outfit and customize more than 150 spaceships. One of the most complex RPG titles developed for the DS to date."



All three of the games are scheduled for '09 releases, and the fourth will probably be announced soon(ish).

Is it just me or does the guy in the Madworld screen look like Hellboy?



-Undrallio


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Euro Nintendo Marketing Director Says Casual Gaming Doesn't Exist

When you hear the phrase, 'casual gamer' you probably associate it with the Wii and short, non-involving games for people who don't want to spend the time needed to invest in a role-playing game or platformer.

Well the senior marketing director of Europe Nintendo, Laurent Fischer, doesn't seem to think that. In fact, he claims that there is no such thing as a casual gamer, there are only people who play games and those whom don't.

"Someone who is fifty-years old who only plays Brain Training, but plays it like a core gamer is a core gamer," Fischer added.

"I don't like this word casual so much. Because people consider that casual needs to be something easy. If you're good at any game you can play at a high difficulty level.

"Take Tetris. There is incredible gameplay, it's very simple, very easy to understand, but it's also very different. I think a game can be a light enough to enjoy and for all gamers to become a core gamer on it."

Fischer concluded: "There is no casual gaming. There is just a different way to play."

He does bring something into light, the older generation who have recently gotten into the gaming world via "casual" games like Brain Training or Wii Sports are also gamers, just like you and I.

[source CVG]



-Undrallio


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Wednesday, May 14

Microsoft Denies Rumored List of Updates

A list of updates rumored to be implemented on the 360's next software update has been floating around the web.

Don't think you'll be seeing "Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading," anytime soon though. Microsoft has confirmed that the list is fake.


"We don't comment on rumors or speculation, but what we can tell you is we've never seen this list before."


The list(posted after the break), which apparently came from an inside source contained frequently requested features and even included "Calibration options for motion sensor devices." Which seems to refer to the rumored Xbox 360 motion sensor remote.


* Option to delay sign-in to Xbox LIVE upon booting console (to allow user to set Online Status).
* Option to promote Child Account from Family Settings.
* Disallow Child Accounts (over 18) to override Family Settings by launching Privacy Settings through a title.
* Option in Family Settings for Child Accounts to enable child-oriented/non-mature advertisements.
* Introduce a group chat (4) for Private Chat and conferences through Video Chat.
* Support to indicate media being watched to gamercard status (video content from Marketplace only).
* Extend height for Bio field in Personal Profile, easier navigation through text.
* More fields present in Personal Profile -- recent achievements, interests, games, movies, links, custom section.
* Compact Personal Profile for new fields (navigating to field will open it up).
* Mandatory option to delete duplicate titles from gamercard (excludes Games for Windows - LIVE). User disconnected from Xbox LIVE when booting any title until action complete.
* Option to remove payment information from gamertag.
* New payment methods for international users.
* Download History on Account Management better organized -- games, genre, type, download date, miscellaneous.
* Long descriptions of items on Marketplace can be scrolled using right stick.
* Better organization of free content on Marketplace.
* Option to 'ping' when testing connection.
* Allow re-connection to Xbox LIVE if Ethernet cable is re-inserted whilst powered on.
* New strip colours available to developers, staff gamercards.
* New corner icon available to ambassadors.
* Re-introduce Messages button for Inside Xbox updates only.
* Option to store up to 10 messages permanently on server (excludes invites, status messages).
* Increase character limit for text messages between friends only.
* Option to disable invites from non-friends or all players.
* Option to disable invites from titles not on gamercard (excludes demos).
* Option to have smaller items moved up in Active Downloads.
* Automatically re-connect to Xbox LIVE if disconnected unexpectedly (set intervals).
* Option to download gamer picture (if available) from a gamercard being viewed.
* Display random tips to replace static text on Xbox LIVE and Games blades.
* New button on Marketplace for optional dashboard features -- uses Storage Device memory.
* Option to donate Microsoft Points to anybody with a Windows Live ID.
* Option to purchase Membership for charities (includes benefits).
* Integrate file-sharing for selected titles on Xbox LIVE and Games for Windows - LIVE.
* Disable notifications to friends of user repeatedly signing into service (set period).
* Option to see 'snippet' of text message in notification.
* Windows Live Mail integration - includes support for Xbox LIVE Vision.


Marketplace

* Option to display gamer picture or standard picture as display picture in Windows Live Messenger.
* Support for headset, Xbox LIVE Vision in Windows Live Messenger.
* Support for limited 'winks' that display on dashboard interface. Option to disable 'winks' and 'nudges' added.
* Notifications separate from Windows Live Messenger to Xbox 360 notifications.
* Disable multiple languages from being used in any Xbox LIVE editable fields.


Games

* Option to delete titles from gamercard with 0 gamerscore and 0 achievements (excludes some titles that will be re-added to launch another title).
* Organize My Games at the Games Library section better (includes disc-based titles) -- sort by genre, platform (Games for Windows - LIVE), percentage completion.
* Support to display friends leaderboards for disc-based titles.
* Show dates of an achievement unlocked when comparing.
* Preload Games Library upon dashboard bootup for faster access.
* Game updates now shown as items in Memory, increased amount of updates on Storage Device
* Option to delete game updates, removed 'cheat code' as no longer needed.
* Support for more titles to display banner when accessing guide in-game.
* Option to re-introduce awarded gamer pictures from titles that do not have their own re-introduce feature (requires saved game).
* Disable gamer pictures from being awarded from trials.
* Support for titles to store installation data on Storage Device for faster loading.
* Synchronization to achievements offline/online that were deleted and then re-added from developers.


Media

* Option to hold LT and RT for rewinding/fast-forwarding video content.
* Option to delete individual music tracks from storage device.
* Option to rip music CD at different quality.
* Copy non-protected files (pictures, music, videos) from USB storage devices, CDs and computers to proprietary storage devices.
* Support for menu, top-menu features on video content downloaded from Marketplace.
* Section added for audio delivered through feeds (podcasts). Option to stream, download to Storage Device.
* Support added for video titles/description to gamercard status.


Dashboard/Miscellaneous

* Option to navigate quickly out of several menus back to respective blade home (applies to Games, Media, System).
* New blade trim styles added.
* Introduce expanded Inside Xbox as a portal to news, weather, entertainment, help and community features.
* New sounds for various functions (notifications, blades, navigation).
* Calibration options for display/sound.
* Calibration options for motion sensor devices.
* New effects for Xbox LIVE Vision and dashboard background.
* Disable changing of Theme when on Memory to prevent 'hanging'.
* Preload recent, limited items upon dashboard bootup on Memory.
* Faster loading of Themes section on guide.
* Option to see what items will not work offline due to DRM license changing from
* Option to automatically associate new DRM to items downloaded for free.
* Indicate 'charging' status on guide when Play & Charge kit is connected.
* Option to change text colours on guide to better contrast some backgrounds.
* Language improvements.
* Word censor updated for fields.
* Privacy Settings/Family Settings updated for new features.
* Voice, picture messages can be read at Xbox.com (Gold accounts). [*]






-Ryizzel


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Tuesday, May 13

Altair costume in MGS4 Real?

On April 1st, a video appeared on the internet showing MGS4's Snake wearing Altair's clothing from Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed. Originally dismissed it as an April Fools Shenanigan, it seems this footage has become a reality.

Today Kojima confirmed that players will be able to unlock the costume in MGS4, however no details were given on how to get the costume were revealed.









-Ryizzel


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Monday, May 12

Bah Humbug and Rumplefarts

Hey guys, I'm back from my trip which should mean that I'm going to dive back into the news again.

Unfortunately I wont be back full time, my computer has a virus that pretty much shut down my computer. So until I can fix up my home computer, or get a new one, my posting will be steady...but more of a trickle than a flow.

Sorry about all of this mess, but you just can't help it sometimes.





-Undrallio


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Sunday, May 11

EA Takes Out 1 Billion Dollar Loan

Preparing for it's possible acquisition of Take-Two, Electronic Arts has borrowed 1 billion dollars from Morgan Stanely and other financial institutions.

With the deadline of EA's proposal drawing near, only time will tell if Take-Two's Shareholders will agree to a mass sell out.







-Ryizzel


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