September 29, 2006
September 28, 2006
September 27, 2006
September 26, 2006
September 25, 2006
EA SIGNS MASSIVE DEALLate
Late last month video game giant EA entered into an agreement with in-game advertiser Massive through which various EA games will be included in Massive’s advertising network. As a result, EA games will include dynamic in-game advertisements which can be updated seamlessly and in real time. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/falaprudretiho(TechNewsWorld) The U.S. Senate has passed the Children and Media Research Advancement Act (“CAMRAâ€). CAMRA aims to foment research on the effect of modern media (including the Internet and video games) on children. Senator Clinton, one of CAMRA's main supporters, is reported to have stated that CAMRA "is one more step in the right direction" and that it "will provide parents with better, more current facts about the impact of this new media dominating our kids' lives." coverage at:http://shorl.com/guprupohalagi (GameDaily) Here’s another dispatch from the wacky world of virtual property. Various players in the on-line game “Eve Online†gave large amounts of in-game currency to another player who operated an in-game on-line bank. The purported banker then made off with all the money, which caused quite a stir in the Eve Online community. However, the game’s terms of use and EULA are permissive, and allow all sort of cons, swindles and thefts. The interesting question is whether in-game activities like the bank con (which are permitted by the game’s EULA) should have any real-world consequences. Arguably they shouldn’t, seeing as how it’s all part of a game and doesn’t involve real money. The flip side, of course, is that in-game items and currency (including Eve Online currency) can be bought and sold outside of the game for real-world money. Did the victims of the scam lose something with real-world value? Should they be entitled to seek real-world remedies? If so, from whom? We don’t have quick answers for these questions, but this story is another good example of the issues raised by virtual property. Coverage at: http://shorl.com/fefruminosapy(News.com) Now Atari, Inc.’s parent company, Infogrames Entertainment SA, has been suspended from the French stock exchange due to continuing operation related issues. Lately, Infogrames has been struggling with losses and massive debts. In order to bring down the debt, Infogrames has been selling its properties and a number of entertainment studios. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/difygrodobede(Gamasutra) Red Octane (the publisher of Guitar Hero) has sued the Ant Commandos for selling wireless guitar controllers for use with the game. Red Octane claims Ant Commandos copied Guitar Hero packaging and advertising materials, in violation of Red Octane’s copyrights and trade-marks. They also claim false advertising with respect to Ant Commandos’ claims that the guitar controllers work properly with the PS2. Interestingly, Red Octane is facing IP lawsuits for its own activities. Konami claims that Red Octane’s dance game Groove violates Konami’s patents relating to Dance Dance Revolution, and KnuckleBonz claims Red Octane’s use of GUITAR HERO violates KnuckleBonz’s trade-mark rights in that name. Coverage of the marching ants is here: http://www.shorl.com/fadredrufrarine(Gamespot) Online instant chat company Paltalk has sued Microsoft for patent infringement. The lawsuit claims that Xbox Live violates two of Paltalk’s US patents which cover online communications. This lawsuit follows several other major patent lawsuits in the gaming industry, including Agere v. Sony (relating to PSP and PS2 technology), Immersion v. Sony (relating to Sony’s Dual Shock controllers), Yahoo! v. XFire (relating to Yahoo!’s Game Prowler IM application) AVG v. Atari (relating to AVG’s patent for spherical panning) and Lucent v. Microsoft (relating to the 360’s method of decoding MPEG-2 files). It’s also interesting from a Microsoft perspective, considering that earlier this spring Microsoft was awarded its 5,000thUS patent. Coverage of Paltalk lawsuit here: http://www.shorl.com/hamelibakubi Ubisoft is justifiably annoyed that a file containing confidential information and images about upcoming games has made its way onto the Internet. An inquisitive web surfer pulled the file from Ubisoft’s FTP site and posted it on the web; the information is disseminating rapidly. Confidential information or trade secrets can be among a company’s most valuable assets, and it is important to protect them carefully (including by using legal documents such as confidentiality agreements and non-disclosure agreements, as well as by implementing effective technological and physical security procedures and practices). This is particularly true in the digital and high-tech context, where hackers and techies delight in ferreting out and distributing information that companies would rather keep confidential. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/defrusemileni(GameSpot)
September 24, 2006
'Dead Rising'walkthrough complete!We are
We are pleased to announce the completion of our"Dead Rising"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. In it you will find a complete walkthrough for all Cases and Scoops, along with details of all Survivors, Achievements, Unlockables, Endings and PP Stickers….
I've spent two days LEGO sabering my way through Episodes IV and V of the game, and I have documented my journey in the LEGO Star Wars II Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. I have one more episode to go ("Return…
It's Friday! Time for our Friday video pick. It's a recreation of the classic Monty Python skit,"No. 42 How not to be seen"as performed by the"Halo"team. Hat tip to Wonderland….
I am oh so very pleased to report the completion of our LB"Lego Star Wars II"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Gamecube and PC. In it we walk you through each and every level…
Navigating the mean streets of Stilwater sometimes requires a little help. That's why we are pleased to announce the completion of our"Saints Row"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. This walkthrough, which covers the single player story mode, details every story…
We are very excited to be putting together a terrific LB"Dead Rising"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for gamers (including LunaPass subscribers) to enjoy. This is the third walkthrough we are publishing via our publishing program, and it is awesome….
September 23, 2006
LB"Monster House"Walkthrough Complete!I'm not
I'm not going to lie to you."Monster House"was a disappointing game on every level. The characters move uncomfortably, there are glitches, saves are a problem, and it's oddly difficult for a game that's attractive, primarily, to kids. Of…
I am oh so very pleased to report the completion of our LB"Lego Star Wars II"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Gamecube and PC. In it we walk you through each and every level…
In February we reported that Opera Software had announced a deal with Nintendo which will allow gamers in Japan to surf the internet via the Nintendo DS using the Opera browser. Yesterday Opera stamped a July 24th release date on…
I've spent two days LEGO sabering my way through Episodes IV and V of the game, and I have documented my journey in the LEGO Star Wars II Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. I have one more episode to go ("Return…
September 21, 2006
September 20, 2006
September 18, 2006
September 17, 2006
'Lego Star Wars 2'walkthrough
I've spent two days LEGO sabering my way through Episodes IV and V of the game, and I have documented my journey in the LEGO Star Wars II Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. I have one more episode to go ("Return…
It's Friday! Time for our Friday video pick. It's a recreation of the classic Monty Python skit,"No. 42 How not to be seen"as performed by the"Halo"team. Hat tip to Wonderland….
Volition, the developer of"Saints Row"for the Xbox 360, has responded to the complaints that have surfaced on many a message board regarding connectivity issues with Xbox Live, along with a few other bugs discovered in the online portion…
We are pleased to announce the completion of our"Dead Rising"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. In it you will find a complete walkthrough for all Cases and Scoops, along with details of all Survivors, Achievements, Unlockables, Endings and PP Stickers….
I am making good progress on the LB'Saints Row'Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. I spent yesterday earning 9 units of'Respect'so that today, I can knock out mission after mission. In the meantime, I completed the'Drug Trafficking'…
We are very excited to be putting together a terrific LB"Dead Rising"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for gamers (including LunaPass subscribers) to enjoy. This is the third walkthrough we are publishing via our publishing program, and it is awesome….
There is a great disturbance in the Force. Using my Jedi powers I have determined that'LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy"has landed on store shelves. This must be what I'm sensing. Further investigation is required. I shall…
September 14, 2006
September 13, 2006
September 12, 2006
September 11, 2006
Wii to launch before
The internet is abuzz today, as MCV, a dependable"interactive entertainment"magazine in the UK, is claiming to have details of the Nintendo Wii's launch date and price. While MCV acknowledges next week's Nintendo press events are where the details…
Via BoingBoing, this amazing video of'Quake 3'rocket jumping (using the rocket launcher, aimed at the ground or a building to propel you) is worth watching for at least 5 of the 20 minutes. The skill required by the…
We are very excited to be putting together a terrific LB"Dead Rising"Walkthrough and Strategy Guide for gamers (including LunaPass subscribers) to enjoy. This is the third walkthrough we are publishing via our publishing program, and it is awesome….
With the release of"Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories"for the Sony PSP drawing near, Rockstar has launched the official"GTA: Vice City"website, along with the game's first trailer. The site and trailer are both chock full of…
"The first chips are in our possession,"said Genyo Takeda, the senior managing director and general manager of Nintendo's integrated research and development division."Today’s milestone marks the final stage of our drive to reach both core and nontraditional gamers…
Hop on over to IGN to view some of the best hands-on Wii footage I have seen thus far. The video is taken at the Leipzig convention in Germany, and does a great job of showing the Wii's controller-game interaction….
Back in August, I wrote a story about the fact that Sony had yet to begin production of the PS3. At that time, I predicted only 11 PS3s would make it to market on launch day. Today we find out…
September 10, 2006
Pluto: Down But Maybe
Arguments over the newly approved definition for "planet" are likely to continue at least until 2009, and astronomers say there is much that remains to be clarified and refined.
SEOUL (Reuters) - A South Korean sex trade show promised foreign women in steamy underwear, striptease acts and sex seminars but had to cancel the performances after losing its lingerie models to immigration laws, organisers said on Thursday.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - In a global economy where consumers are holding back, Tesco is gearing up for increased competition with its U.S. rivals, a senior executive said on Wednesday.
LONDON (Reuters) - Testing and inspections firm Intertek Group Plc posted a 17.4 percent rise in first-half pretax profit and said it expected the good progress to continue in the second half, sending its shares up more than 6 percent.
We just got our first peek at the totally excellent cover of the Evil Design -designed Yah Mos Def Is A Gang 12-inch. "I loved his stuff so I always would send him projects I was working on," explains Yah Mos Def 's Bryan Poerner of Evil's MCA . "So I sent him our CD and he loved it, and wanted to work on a project together.
APRIL 01, 2005 — Trader Joe's, Monrovia, Calif., is not your typical grocery chain. The privately-owned chain has an atypical product offering that includes the Trader Joe label and limited supply products and, importantly, is showcasing significant growth through its grassroots national expansion.
September 9, 2006
September 8, 2006
September 7, 2006
September 5, 2006
DS to be browsed
In February we reported that Opera Software had announced a deal with Nintendo which will allow gamers in Japan to surf the internet via the Nintendo DS using the Opera browser. Yesterday Opera stamped a July 24th release date on…
We are pleased to announce the completion of the LB'Over the Hedge (TM)'Walkthrough and Strategy Guide. The guide will help you through all 35 missions, 135 objectives and details the location of all Cookie Boxes, all Chip Cans,…
I'm not going to lie to you."Monster House"was a disappointing game on every level. The characters move uncomfortably, there are glitches, saves are a problem, and it's oddly difficult for a game that's attractive, primarily, to kids. Of…
The Gamespy team recently got the opportunity to visit LucasArts, where they got to sit down and preview"LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy", the sequel to the 2005 sleeper hit"LEGO Star Wars". Today's Gamespy feature article reveals…
September 4, 2006
UK woman faces large
A woman who had previously served 12 months in a British prison for videogame piracy has now had almost $500,000 in assets seized for further piracy, after being found in possession of pirated PS2 and XBox games. After an investigation by the Entertainment& Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), Susan Roach was found to have made profits of more than $1.6 million dollars from her videogame piracy business, and was ordered under UK Proceeds of Crime legislation to pay $500,000 of these proceeds to the court. If she doesn't pay the fine within imposed time limits, she could face more jail time. The UK has been cracking down on videogame piracy of late, with several high-profile piracy and mod chip prosecutions. ELSPA:http://www.elspa.com/ Source:http://shorl.com/bimypinygrofo Earlier this month we reported on a US district court ruling that fantasy baseball leagues can use player names and stats without permission from Major League Baseball because MLB doesn’t own any intellectual property in the names or stats. Another pressing issue is whether fantasy sports leagues violate criminal gambling laws. In Canada, for example, agame is illegal in Canada if: (i) the contestant must pay to play, (ii) success is based (at least in part) on chance, and (iii) the winning contestant wins goods, wares or merchandise. Many fantasy sports games meet the first and third requirement. The real issue is whether they meet the second element too. We may soon find out (at least in the US). A lawyer in Colorado has filed a lawsuit claiming that various Fantasy Sports providers (including ESPN and CBS) are violating gambling laws. The defendants have not yet commented. Coverage is here: http://www.shorl.com/fakydokavepu(law.com)
Take-Two should be celebrating last quarter’s jump in its net revenue to $240 million. Instead, Take-Two is reported to have announced the delay of its final earnings report due to an internal investigation into its granting of stock options. Moreover, the company is also said to have disclosed having received additional grand jury subpoenas issued by the District Attorney of the County of New York “requesting documents…regarding stock options and other equity-based compensation." coverage at:http://shorl.com/degrovimubregre(Gamespot) The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has awarded almost $150,000 to a former EA employee who claims she was unjustly fired after a suffering a breakdown. The worker’s health deteriorated as her workload increased, and when she informed EA that she would be taking indefinite stress leave on her doctor’s recommendation, she was dismissed (with an offer of a lump-sum severance payment). Although the Tribunal noted that it was not a case where the employee was “worked to deathâ€, it stated that EA did not attempt to accommodate the employee’s need for leave. The monetary award includes amounts for injury to the worker’s dignity, feelings and self-respect; health care costs; legal expenses; out-of-pocket expenses; lost value of stock options; and severance. It is not known whether EA will appeal the Tribunal’s decision. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/godyhipavubro(Vancouver Sun) BC Human Rights Tribunal Decision at:http://shorl.com/febreprogrydadru Florida lawyer and anti-video game crusader Jack Thompson has filed a petition with the 11thJudicial Circuit Court asking for Take-Two Interactive Software and Wal-Mart to supply him with an advance copy of Bully - the upcoming game from Take-Two and Rockstar. Thompson has criticized both Wal-Mart and the ESRB for the fact that Wal-Mart has been taking advance orders for Bully even though the ESRB, which has had the game for over a year, has yet to rate it. In the result, Thomson says he plans to have an independent third party play the game in order to determine if Bully would constitute a public nuisance in the state of Florida. Thomson, who likens the situation to a pharmaceutical company selling a drug that has yet to receive FDA approval, has accused Take-Two of instigating “a new wave of successfully orchestrated harassment" against him. This harassment apparently consists of phone calls received by Thompson earlier this week from a caller identifying himself as “Peterâ€, who called Thompson a sexual deviant and threatened his life. This is not the first time Thompson’s life has been threatened - in December of 2005, a 16-year old gamer was charged with harassing communication for threatening to kill Thompson. Take-Two has not yet commented on Thompson’s petition. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/demubredykegri(Gamespot) Thompson’s petition at:http://shorl.com/ferejupridufi The ESA, which established the ESRB, contends that a proposed bill - the "Truth in Video Game Rating Act" (HR 5912) - requiring the ESRB to play through every single video game it rates is not sensible. ESA president Doug Lowenstein responded to the proposed bill by defending the current ratings system and noting that games can take over 100 hours to complete and to do so would often require the skills of a professional gamer. Such gamers, he went on to say, are not likely to be representative of the mainstream American parent. Coverage at:http://shorl.com/duhahokepregro(GameDaily)
September 3, 2006
September 1, 2006
TippyToeToons Make Bath and
For all those parents who are having a tough time getting your little ones to co-operate during bath and bedtime, don't despair! TippyToeToons may be just the solution you need!…
It's finally back to school time! If you're looking for last minute back to school gifts, or if you still haven't found that special something to make your back…
Here's a look at the beautiful new "Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses" line from Mattel - featuring none other than Barbie as the seventh sister of 12 beautiful princesses…
Exceptional quality, vibrant colors, and lots of potential for using one's imagination - that's what makes up this beautiful set of wooden blocks from Haba. Kids will really love to…