What happens when small companies start to make it big and tap into a market that large companies have yet to design for? They get bought up by those larger companies. The LA times has reported that EA has purchased Chillingo for $20 million. This fact has been confirmed by EA so we are now seeing the new era of iPhone games, or at least give them the publishing ability of Chillingo.
EA’s statement on the acquisition:
“By acquiring Chillingo, EA Mobile is increasing its market leadership on the Apple Platform as well as reaffirming its position as the world’s leading wireless entertainment publisher. This acquisition will combine Chillingo’s expertise in cultivating the ideas of independent developers with EA’s global mobile publishing reach.”
What this means ironically is that though Chillingo has published these games, it does not hold the rights to any games that are made as sequels. So though the top selling APP on the marketplace Angry Birds is under Chillingo’s name, it does not mean that Angry Birds 2, shall there ever be a sequel, will belong to EA as well.
Though this also means that a large company has taken hold of an already wildly popular publisher, and will therefore be able to use their resources for the benefit of both the games released, and the players. So it is good news all around that this has happened. Unless of course developers start to abandon Chillingo due to their EA ownership, though I doubt that be the case. Though what is the case is that Chillingo is now $20 million richer.
Have you been locked away for the last 10 years? Finally getting out of jail from that fight that you caused because you couldn’t wait to get the PS2? Well you are in luck because the system that is still kicking around even now, is going to be getting itself a bundle release on Halloween, October 31st. (Possibly US release only)
The bundle will run $100 and come with the PS2 slim and Toy Story 3: The Video Game. It seems that since it is the 10th anniversary of it’s creation, Sony thought that it would be best to celebrate with this new bundle. Sure the price is quite cheap and with the Toy Story 3 game put together with it, then it would be a nice deal if you happened to have broken your PS2, or are looking to give a friend’s child a fancy birthday present and look like the big man in the party.
In all seriousness though it is a bit odd that, although Sony has continued to support the PS2 over the past 10 years, that they would release a new bundle now. The package itself will only be able to be purchased from participating retailers, which were not listed, but if these bundles don’t end up selling, what then? 10 year old systems collecting dust on store shelves? Or will these sell extremely fast? What do you think? I think if the Ps2 itself was themed with some sort of Toy Story design, it would be worth a purchase.
If you play NBA 2K11 online on November 5th, 2010- January 15, 2010 you could be entered to win some great prizes. Get into the top 256 of the leader board,s and then be entered into the tournament to win prizes and cash. 2K did a similar prize package last year for MLB 2K10, (albeit that was 1,000,000) but this looks like it will be swell as well (see what I did there.) Go here for more info.
No longer will Xbox Live Silver members be so blatantly displayed as being inferior to Gold members, though ironically they still will be. This is because the community boss for Xbox UK Graeme Boyd has released the information via a tweet on twitter saying the following:
“Just been told that ‘Xbox LIVE Silver Membership’ will now officially be called ‘Xbox LIVE Free Membership’. The times they are a-changin…”
You can see the tweet itself here. The fact that Microsoft has decided to rename the free version of Xbox Live can be viewed a number of different ways. It could be a marketing ploy to make hardcore gamers feel as if they are truly missing out on something by calling them Free users instead of Gold users. Sort of an image changer. Or it can be in anticipation of the release of Kinect to allow for a more understandable experience for casual gamers that may become confused. Though I doubt it is the latter one. If anything I believe the name change is simply to promote more sales of the Gold membership by making it seem like Free players are truly missing out on special features by not even being called a precious metal anymore, but free.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has sold over 19 million games and Ubisoft has charted record pre order sales for the next game in the series: Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood. Marketing budgets for AC: Brotherhood have also surpassed other marketing projects by Ubisoft.
Geoffroy Sardin, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, says, “Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood is being heralded by the press as a single and multiplayer experience unlike any other. As evidenced by the record number of pre-orders and the success of the multiplayer beta, consumers can‘t wait to get their hands on Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, and we’re looking forward to delivering them an experience they’ll never forget.”
Brotherhood will be released on PC in 2011 and on November 18 for consoles. Get prepped for 15 hours of single player campaign and a new multiplayer experience. If you can’t wait that long, you can play the Facebook game now.
Nintendo announces that from 28 October 2010, you will be able to buy the Wii in either Black, White and for a limited time the brand new Red colour too.
Hold on that’s not all the Black and White versions now come packaged with Wii Sports Resort, Wii Sports, Nunchuk and the original Wii Remote will be replaced with the Brand new Wii Remote Plus and all for the same great value of £159.99/ AU $299.95
Please note that the Wii Remote Plus is the original Wii Remote, with Wii MotionPlus functionality built in!
The Red Wii
The Red Wii console includes Red WiiMote Plus, Nunchuk, a copy of New Super Mario Bros Wii, Wii Sports and a digital copy of Donkey Kong pre-installed.
Please click here for more info on this great new product from Nintendo.
Also available are two great new WiiMote Plus colours too!
Nail’d is releasing soon, and its developers are worried about the potential health problems gamers may face. Specifically the challenge of gripping the controller so hard that your knuckles turn white. Apparently this is a terrible epidemic and must be stopped. Wanna find out about a cream so good that it will literally improve your life? Especially in the areas of low game scores and embarrassment? Do you want to be able to scream, “LETS GET NAIL’D!?” Then visit whiteknucklecream.com.
SO, I’ve been thinking. I’m a big fan of “community” events, interacting with other people (in this case, you, the viewer). Having previously been a moderator for Capcom’s website, Capcom-Unity.com, I picked up the interest. I’m also a big fan of streaming games, something which I feel people don’t do often enough. I previously streamed Sengoku Basara before it even hit the shelves, and got a pretty good reception. I even put up a link to other forums to get more attention and had people coming into the stream chat asking questions/requests to see characters/levels. In short, it was a lot of fun and so it got me thinking. I have the capture stuff required (obviously) and I play games on a regular basis, so why the hell not just stream as I regularly play whatever it is I play, it provides no hindrance to me and it might entertain some of you in the process.
My games collection is pretty decent (and is always growing). I know our readerbase is still somewhat small, but I also know that there are a handful of you out there who do come here and so, this is for you, but it will require a small bit of effort/participation on your part if it’s going to succeed. I’m going to list all of my games in the hopes that you will comment here, saying which ones you want to see streamed. If I actually get responses, I’ll do it! If I get a decent turnout, maybe I’ll make this a daily/weekly thing, as long as there are people who want to see this done.
So! Heres the list, comment here if there’s one in particular you wanna see. I’ll make a follow up article, if/when I see some requests, detailing when I’ll do the streams.
(Original Xbox)
Beyond Good and Evil
Fable: The Lost Chapters
Halo
Halo 2
Jade Empire
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
Phantom Dust
Psychonauts
Sudeki
Tron 2.0: Killer App
(Playstation 2)
Dark Cloud 2
Dr. Muto
Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends
Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy X-2
Final Fantasy XII
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Katamari Damacy
Jak and Daxter
Jak 3
Kingdom Hearts 2
Monster Hunter
Okami
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando
Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
Ratchet and Clank: Deadlocked
Rez
Shadow of the Colossus
Twisted Metal: Black
Xenosaga
Xenosaga II
(Gamecube)
Eternal Darkness
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles
Gauntlet: Dark Legacy
Kirby Airride
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
P.N. 03
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II
Pikmin
Pikmin 2
Skies of Arcadia: Legends
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle
Starfox Adventures
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Smash Bros. Melee
The Legend of Zelda Collectors Edition (zelda 1+2+Ocarina of time+Majora’s Mask)
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
(Wii)
De Blob
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Monster Hunter Tri
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Zack & Wiki
(Xbox 360)
Fable 2
Halo Reach
Kameo
Lost Odyssey
Mass Effect 2
The Darkness
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Too Human
Viva Pinata
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
(Playstation 3)
3D Dot Game Heroes
Assassins Creed II
Demon’s Souls
Just Cause 2
Killzone 2
Katamari Forever
Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time
Sengoku Basara
I’ll list digital games if people truly want me to, but for now, that’s more than enough to choose from. Like I said, if this gets a good response and people genuinely want to see this done, then I’ll do it as often as I can. If not, however, I will still likely stream, only it will just be whatever I feel like. So either way, streaming will happen, your involvement determines what will be streamed and how often. For now I’m going to be streaming my favorite FF game, Final Fantasy XII (I know it’s a love/hate game with the fanbase, but I LOVE it), though I will likely get bored quickly and move on to something else. If you catch me streaming right now and want to see a particular game, pop into the stream chat and tell me!
Edit: That was quick, got bored, on to Assassins Creed II!
‘No more lessons, no more training.’That’s the message that accompanies this latest trailer for the game. In this instance, it showcases some of the gameplay from the DS iteration. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will feature a much more serious journey than previous outings, aiming to re-enforce the gritty storyline of the novel in videogame form. Gone are the days of lessons learning charms, potions and all that magical nonsence in Hogwarts. Now the only way you’re going to learn your defence against the dark arts is in practice, battling Voldemort’s legions.
Following the same plot as the book, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 you will track down and destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes, but not without the help of your friends Ron and Hermione, an element of the gameplay which is touched upon in the trailer.
You will also be able to battle against a friend in the game’s multi-player mode, choosing to fight as either Harry or a Dementor.
Nordcurrent, the European games developer and publisher has announced it’s latest title is due for release in Europe this week, with a street date of 22nd October. 101-in-1 Megamix Sports, follow-up to the successful 101-in-1 Megamix which sold around half a million units, offers a wide range of sports in one package. The wide assortment of sports include all-time favorites like bowling, boxing, volleyball, tennis, basketball and unique sports some may not recognise right away, such as caber tossing, traction kiting, capoeira, street luge, and more.
Key Features
One hundred and one sports games on a single cartridge – It’s the ultimate sports bundle. It averages out to less than twenty pence a game.
Unlock dozens of exciting new sports as you go along, earning points by setting high scores, and then spending them to unlock dozens of exciting new sports.
Compete with friends in local wireless – Some games allow players to challenge friends to head-to-head
If the last one is anything to go by, it should be a bundle of fun as it is jam-packed full of sports mini-games, promising you value for money.
