Texas Gov: Games Are Economic Beacon

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

At a sparsely populated E3 keynote Wednesday, Texas Governor Rick Perry cited the games industry as a prosperous field in an economic downturn and encouraged other states to help foster the industry.

Perry said that his primary goal for being at E3 was to highlight the advantages of locating a games industry company in Texas, citing not only the financial incentives offered by the state but also the high-tech workforce and long history of technological creation Texas has.

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Fils-Aime: We Haven’t Ignored Core Gamers

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Speaking to G4 following Nintendo’s E3 press conference on Tuesday, the president of the firm’s US arm rejected the notion that core gamers would not be satisfied with the company’s newly announced titles, reports CVG.

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Activision Blizzard Begins Self-Tender Offer

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Activision Blizzard announced on Wednesday the commencement of a self-tender offer to buy up to 146.5 million shares of its outstanding common stock for http://www.mmoabc.com/a_8a8080d21b2f9a97011b2f9af1960011./Activision-Blizzard-Begins-SelfTender-Offer.htm7.50 per share.

The number of shares in the tender offer represents about 22 percent of Activision Blizzard"s outstanding common stock as of July 9, 2008, the day on which the merger of Activision and Vivendi Games closed.
 
The tender offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Wednesday, August 13, 2008, unless extended.

Wanted Movie Gets Game Sequel

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

The Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group announced Wednesday that a game based on the summer action blockbuster Wanted will be available later this year.

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Tretton Opens Up

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Speaking to an intimate gathering of media this morning, SCEA boss Jack Tretton opened up about PlayStation, and how the brand has taken a few wrong turns in the past.

During the presentation, attended by Edge, Tretton admitted that Sony “has had a weakness” in how the company organized its different hardware and software engineers.

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Bungie’s E3 Halo Reveal Cancelled by Microsoft?

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Don Mattrick, senior VP of the Xbox business, has told MTV that Bungie is working on a new Halo game for Microsoft, the developer’s former parent company.

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Flagship CEO Confirms Widespread Layoffs

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

The boss of Hellgate: London house Flagship Studios has confirmed reports of mass layoffs at the company, but has denied speculation that the developer is no longer operational.

"It is with deep regret that I must announce that Flagship Studios has laid off most employees,” CEO Bill Roper said in a post on the Hellgate: London forums.

“However, the core management and founding team members are still at Flagship.”

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Sony: PS3 “Well on its Way” to Hitting Sales Target

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

SCEA president Jack Tretton has said that the PS3 is "well on its way" to reaching the company’s annual sales target of ten million units, according to Reuters.

Additionally, Tretton said that the firm’s PSP is on course to hit its 15 million unit sales goal this business year.

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Activision: We’ve Only Scratched the Surface of the Mainstream

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Speaking at a conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Mike Griffith, president and chief executive officer of Activision Publishing, said it had been “a transformational year” for the games industry, reports MCV.

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John Riccitiello Writes for Edge

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

It’s no secret that, when the current generation arrived, EA went through a tough transition. But here at E3 I think we’ve shown how we’ve emerged from that challenge, stronger than ever.

Back in the 1990s, we nailed the launch of PlayStation 1. A few years later, we came through the next generation even stronger. We made a lot of the right decisions and we leveraged the things that make this company great, like our publishing strength, the quality of our IP and a focus on R&D.

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We Review the E3 Big Three

Posted on Jul 17, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Offering a personal view, Edge-Online editor-in-chief Colin Campbell reviews this year’s console manufacturer press conferences…


MICROSOFT
7/10

Everyone agrees that the new Xbox Live dashboard is slick, smart and pleasing to the eye. That’s also the verdict on Don Mattrick, whose cheeky, boyish smile is something of a departure from the lupine grin of his predecessor.

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MMOABC interviews Atanas Atanasov, CEO of Masthead Studios

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 4:48 PM

We recently had a chance to catch up with Atanas Atanasov of Masthead Studios to find out what's currently going on and future plans for Earthrise. More...

PlaySpan Acquires PayByCash

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 4:25 PM

Combined company will empower game publishers with complete microtransaction and global payment system. More...

MMOABC Interviews Diplomat from Beyond Protocol

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:23 PM

We recently had a chance to catch up with Diplomat of Beyond Protocol a Dark Sky Entertainment game to find out what's currently going on and future plans for their MMORTS title. More...

Silkroad Online Chosen as an Official Game at Game & Game World Championship 2008

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM

Silkroad Online has been selected as an official game at Game & Game World Championship for three consecutive years. More...

All Access for City of Heroes and City of Villains

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:46 PM

NCsoft readies the number 1 super-powered MMO for more. More...

Second July update for Infinity Online

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:39 PM

Gametribe.com is pleased to announce that the second update in July for its action packed Free-to-Play MMORPG Infinity Online is now live. More...

Ingle Games announces Chaos Online alpha testing

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:31 PM

The Alpha testing of Chaos Online will start on August 1st, 2008. Chaos Online is a free to play Sci-Fi MMORPG where modern technology & weaponry melds with Ancient Myth and Martial Arts. More...

Sony Readies $399 80GB PS3, Greatest Hits

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

At the company’s E3 press conference Tuesday, Sony made several changes to its PS3 pricing structure. This primarily included bringing the Greatest Hits line of value software to the console.

The Greatest Hits PS3 line will retail for http://www.mmoabc.com/a_8a8080d21b2a743b011b2a747f000015./Sony-Readies-399-80GB-PS3-Greatest-Hits.htm9.99 and includes software from both first and third parties. Titles currently announced for the lineup include Motorstorm, Resistance, Warhawk, Call of Duty 3, Fight Night Round 3, Need for Speed: Carbon, Rainbow Six: Vegas, Assassin’s Creed, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

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PS3 Home: “Your patience will be more than rewarded”

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Speaking at Sony’s E3 conference, SCEA CEO and president Jack Tretton told gamers that PS3 virtual world Home will be worth the wait when it finally launches after a series of delays, but he failed to announce a launch date for the online initiative.

“Your patience will be more than rewarded,” Tretton promised.

He added that the service has been receiving “great support” from publishers with regard to game-specific spaces within Home.

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MAG to Bring 256-Player Battles to PS3

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Sony ended its E3 press conference this year with a quick look at MAG, a previously unannounced title from SOCOM creators Zipper Interactive.

The PS3 exclusive, MAG or “Massive Action Game” will feature squads of eight players facing off in massive combat scenarios that up to 256 players could take part in. A brief trailer was played for the game, which showcased a modern day war zone in which many soldiers on foot were assaulted by, among other things, an air strike.

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John Riccitello Writes for Edge

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

It’s no secret that, when the current generation arrived, EA went through a tough transition. But here at E3 I think we’ve shown how we’ve emerged from that challenge, stronger than ever.

Back in the 1990s, we nailed the launch of PlayStation 1. A few years later, we came through the next generation even stronger. We made a lot of the right decisions and we leveraged the things that make this company great, like our publishing strength, the quality of our IP and a focus on R&D.

read more

Ubisoft Announces I Am Alive

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Reports have come in stating that the Ubisoft E3 press conference Tuesday has ended with the official announcement of the heavily rumored project I Am Alive.

Ubisoft has also confirmed the game via a short press statement, which mentions that the game will test the wits and reactions of the player in a mysteriously ruined Chicago. CEO of Ubisoft Yves Guillemot said in the statement, “The game will offer a rich palette of emotions while challenging players to make life-changing decisions."

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Tretton: “2008 is the Year of the PS3”

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Sony begins its conference with a montage of a wide variety of titles, including Buzz, Resident Evil 5, and LittleBigPlanet. The video fades to the PlayStation logo as Jack Tretton takes the floor.

“This is the most stressful event you can ever imagine. But I’m more than happy to sacrifice my health,” says Tretton, “if you leave here a little more entertained and informed”.

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Grand Theft Auto Rides to DS

Posted on Jul 16, 2008 at 1:03 AM

Nintendo has announced that Rockstar’s marquee franchise Grand Theft Auto will be coming to the Nintendo DS in the form of Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.

A press release issued by Rockstar following the conference confirmed the release, stating that the project is currently in development by Rockstar Leeds with support from Rockstar North and will be available in the west this winter. Players will navigate a modern Liberty City using the touchscreen and play through a new story that will heavily involve the Triad.

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