—ANALOG GAMES—
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. and its Fisher–Price division
will introduce new products at this year’s 2001 American Toy Fair
incorporating the latest trends and technology. Expect to see everything from
Nutcracker Barbie to a life–like dragon from Harry Potter, or even Elmo once again added to this year’s "Wish List". UNO stays in–tune with the boy band inspired ’N Sync UNO card game. Ready to take on the Outback in the latest Survivor game? Oh and they have remote controlled rockets too! More info.
Playmates Toys
Playmates’ Toys makes the old look like new again, for at the Toy Fair 2001, the company is putting a new angle on something from the past — the Good Luck Troll collectible figures, with new names, new outfits and themes. Also in the lineup is Intelli–Blox construction toys that are based on the upcoming New Line Cinema’s film The Lord of the Rings. Representing the Jackie Chan Adventures are action figures, role–playing accessories, sparring buddies and an electronic training center. Lara Croft of the infamous Tomb Raider is represented in action figures. Other action figures include characters from The Simpsons and Dilbert. Ozlo the Robot lets kids maintain and repair him, and there’s Big Sarge in Charge, a larger than life interactive action figure. A new angle on dolls includes the interactive dolls, Amazing Maddie and Amazing Ally, who now have an interactive pet kitten.
Pressman Toys
A board millionaire is among other products presented at the Toy Fair, that include Pressman Toy Corporation’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire? which has already been named Game of the Year and Best Licensed Toy of the Year by the Toy Manufacturers of America. Millionaire has been the number one selling game since it was introduced in March of 2000. There’s also a kid’s version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and in November of this year there will be a new Second Edition of the game.
—AUDIO_SOUND—
Audible
Audible, Inc.’s Cassiopeia EM–500 Pocket PC is now available for purchase directly from audible.com. The Casio Cassiopeia EM–500 is a personal digital assistant and digital audio player. The device’s internal RAM has a storage capacity of four hours and can store up to fourteen more hours of Audible’s digital audio on the included CompactFlash 24MB external memory card. If you sign up for one year of Audible’s LightListener membership, you can enjoy reduced pricing of their products. More info.
MusicMatch
MUSICMATCH Inc.’s gold version of MUSICMATCH Jukebox Plus for Linux offers high–quality digital music. The personal music system gives music buffs the ability to play, record, organize and discover their favorite music in one program.More info.
Napster
The Feds tell Napster to stop it! Just as most folk predicted, in a 58-page opinion, a three judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals told a lower court judge to rewrite her injunction to focus more narrowly on the copyrighted material found at Napster, and directed Napster to remove links to users trading copyrighted songs that are stored as MP3 files. Additionally, Napster must stop trading in copyrighted material and may be held liable for "vicarious copyright infringement," which came as good news to the Recording Industry Association of America. Napster has more than 50 million users. Napster can stay in business until the U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel reworks her injunction, because the appellate court has described the injunction as overly broad. Anticipating this ruling today, more than 250 million songs were downloaded using Napster over this last weekend.
SONICblue
Rio, a division of SONICblue, is offering a limited edition portable digital audio player at their website. The Rio 800 Extreme is equipped with enough music storage for up to 12 hours of skip–free music. The portable player currently supports MP3 and WMA, but is upgradeable to support future music formats. More info.
—CONTESTS_TOURNAMENTS—
Activision
More sweeps for you to enter, fellow gamers — how about getting the chance for yourself and a friend to meet with some of the xtreme stars who star within Activision games? Tony Hawk, Mat Hoffman, Shaun Palmer, Kelly Slater — what a grand assemblage. You can also win other goodies until March 31st, when the contest closes, with items such as Activision games, surfboards, snowboards, bikes and the like. Contest info.
Capital Punishment
Another tournament set for gamers on the east coast is Capital Punishment. Set for April 14th and 15th in Manassas, Virginia, the admission is $20 if you pre–purchase your admission ticket, or $25 directly at the door. Expect to engage in Single Elimination 4vs4 Counter–Strike, Double Elimination Quake III Arena and Double Elimination Unreal Tournament. Details.
Eidos Interactive
Be afraid, be very afraid in Fear Effect 2. Eidos Interactive is hosting a Fear Effect 2 Retro Helix contest and you can enter to win up until March 8 by answering a trivia question. If you’re one of five grand prize winners, you’ll receive a copy of Fear Effect 2 Retro Helix and a sweatshirt with the game’s logo on it. The 10 first place winners will win a copy of the game. You are invited to check out their web site. Also at the Eidos Interactive site there’s a new AVI for Gangsters 2: The Mobster Sim, which involves organized crime during Prohibition in the U.S. Not exactly a role model — you’re in charge of gangsters who must perform drive–by shootings, bribe officials and perform ‘hits’.
NewTek
NewTek is looking for content from real–time game play as well as full motion video cut scenes from a variety of companies using Lightwave 3D. To reward these companies for using their software, NewTek has announced a contest. The lucky winner’s grand prize includes a full copy of LightWave 6.5 and Aura 2, which have a retail value of over U.S. $3,300. Deadline to submit game content is March 9, 2001. More info.
Recon 2000
Set for the Washington DC Capital Expo Center is the multiplayer event known as Recon 2000. To be held between June 29th and July 1st, cash prizes can be won. If you register prior to February 15th, the cost is $45... after that date, the entry fee is $55 until April 15th, and then the cost rises to $65. Twenty–four gaming, latency free network, what could be better? Info.
Sierra Studios
Sierra Studios: Arcanum, the next big treat from Sierra Studios and developer Troika Games, can find you IN the game! That’s correct....you can be immortalized in this RPG, Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura, via the company’s "Get in the Game" contest. Riddles are the key to your inclusion — be the first person to correctly solve each of the five, weekly queries and decipher the final puzzle. Riddles will be posted at this link and you email your guesses to arcanumcontest@sierra.com. The official Arcanum website can be found at this direct link and the official rules for the contest can be found right here. Enter today and become immortalized, digitally speaking, that is.
—FOR DEVELOPERS—
e–Synch
A 30–day trial of SiteStreamer is now available for web developers from eSynch Corporation. The SiteStreamer ToolKit is fully equipped with e–commerce capabilities. The tool allows websites to develop corporate identity, manage brand awareness, and generate revenue by streaming video content through an customizable media player. More info.
Macromedia
Macromedia, Inc. releases a suite of free learning extensions available via the Macromedia Exchange. Developers can create visually rich web–based instructional content that complies with industry standards for tracking assessment results. The extensions support the latest versions of Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver and Dreamweaver UltraDev. More info.
RealityWave
RealityWave, Inc. releases a web–based interactive collaborative environment for 3D viewing and mark–up. With ConceptStation, 3D designers, clients, colleagues, and suppliers can all collaborate seamlessly throughout a project enterprise in real–time or at their convenience. More info.
—FGN4KIDS—
4KidsEntertainment
Trendmasters’ innovative line Cubix takes action figure play to a whole new dimension. The toy line is based on the new Cubix CGI animated series premiering on Kids WB! Network in 2001. Created by 4Kids Entertainment Inc., CINEPIX and Daiwon, the Cubix storyline is filled with action, adventure and friendship. 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. will debut its new property Cubix, Robots for Everyone! at today’s Toy Fair. More info.
JAKKS
JAKKS Pacific Inc.’s latest line features interactive musical toys based on the name and learning philosophy of Baby Genius. The new Child Guidance Baby Genius line introduces the fundamentals of music to little tykes nine–months and up. Each activity within the line tickles a child’s senses through touch, sight and sound to build motor skills, teach cause–and–effect, and promote creativity. More info.
Scholastic Inc.
Scholastic Inc.’s 2001 line of children's educational software includes two of its most popular brands, which are Clifford The Big Red Dog and I Spy. Clifford's Learning Activities will be the third CD–ROM based on the book series and PBS KIDS TV star, and will be available in October for both Macintosh and PCs. I Spy
Treasure Hunt, a hybrid for the PC and Macintosh, will be available in September. The I Spy CD–ROMs have been top–sellers since they were first introduced in 1998.
More info.
—HANDHELD GAMES—
Nintendo
OK, set June 11th as the date Nintendo intends on launching their Game Boy Advance within the U.S.
Nintendo
More than three million orders are expected by Nintendo Co. Ltd. for their upcoming Game Boy Advance handheld nextgen system. The new portable game machine is expected to debut on March 21st. If such is the case, and as was experienced by hopeful PlayStation 2 gamers, there are going to be some disappointed folk NOT getting their pre–ordered machines.
THQ
Game Boy Color gamers can now enjoy the appeal of Scooby–Doo as THQ and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have just released Scooby–Doo Classic Creep Capers. Already a Nintendo 64 game success, you play the doggie detective as he does his best to capture an international jewel thief. THQ.
—HARDWARE_PERIPHERALS—
3Dlabs
3Dlabs, Inc.’s next–gen high–performance professional 3D graphics accelerator is now available. The Wildcat II 5110 offers a dual–pipeline architecture and has been highly optimized for the latest Intel Pentium 4 processor–based workstations that provide a new level of 3D performance and image quality not found on competing boards. More info.
Essential Reality
Essential Reality has successfully completed the last major milestones in P5, their 3D control glove–like product’s C2P design. P5 incorporates a "docking station" and flexible sizing, and the ergonomically–correct hand device controls the software in 3D through diverse hand gestures, which is ideal for computer users and gamers. More info.
Iomega
Beginning in March 2001, Iomega’s addition of
CompactFlash and SmartMedia portable storage lines to the PocketZip platform and Iomega Microdrive will provide Iomega customers with four portable storage solutions for a variety of handheld electronic devices. Portable storage devices that utilize flash memory technology include digital cameras, PDAs, camcorders, digital audio players and laptops. More info.
Immersion Corp.
Touch feely time again... Immersion created their TouchSense technology that brings force–feedback technology to users via the code used by developers in their game sotware. This sensation offers game depth, and now Kensington Technology plans to produce a variety of I/O devices using this technology, and these mice and trackballs will ship under their Gravis and Kensington brands. And Immersion’s code will also now allow such feelfx on websites, so folk building pages can incorporate their Web Designer software into their URLs. Informational websites: Immersion and Kensington.
NYKO
The U.S. Patent Office granted NYKO Technologies, Inc. a design and utility patent on the Worm Light for Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Upon its September 1999 release, 4.5 million Worm Lights have been sold, which inspired several copycats and lawsuits. This patent will insure NYKO’s peripheral will be the only one illuminating the screens of the popular handheld game consoles.
Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation of America introduces the industry’s fastest external
re–writable CD recorder with IEEE 1394 FireWire interface. The
multi–platform LightSpeed CRW2100FXZ model delivers
16X write, 10X rewrite, 40X read and 40X audio ripping. The CD–RW is expected to
begin shipping in mid–February 2001. More info.
—INDUSTRY—
The 3DO Company
Unfortunately, times have not been as lucrative as hoped at The 3DO Company. Word is that some 15 to 20 percent of the company’s employees have received pink slips as the company refocuses their efforts. Already the founder and CEO of the company, Trip Hawkins, had infused the company with $20 million last year, but a less–than–electric financial report for the last quarter forced this action. Certainly some blame can be attributed to the lack of PlayStation 2 units for consumer purchase, resulting in lower than expected PS2 sales hurting the company’s performance. Thanks a lot, Sony! (Hmmmm, what ever happened to title diversification to help adjudicate such possibilities??)
Amazon.com, eBay and Yahoo!
With poor supply and high demand for the PlayStation 2, many have turned to online auctions. Elias Garay, 54, and his son Alejandro Garay, 18, made between $400 and $700 for each bogus
PlayStation 2 they auctioned off on Yahoo!,
Amazon.com and eBay, netting nearly $114,000. The Garay’s have been apprehended and officially charged with wire fraud. Meanwhile, Rolex watches are under investigation
after a British couple paid nearly £5000 from an eBay auction,
only to receive a photograph of the watch in return.
Activision, EA, LucasArts, and More
A lawsuit has been filed by 12 video game companies accusing four men of illegally distributing hundreds of digital entertainment products as "warez" and "roms." "Warez" is hacker shorthand for pirated versions of software and "ROMs" are read–only memory files with game information that can be played on a home PC with an emulator. The suit seeks to shut down their web sites and compensate for the monetary damages for each infringement of copyrighted work. Culprits Dasheill Ponce De Leon of Houston, John Sterling of Beaumont, Texas, Byron Beck of Monrovia,California, and Kuei Lin Lo of Amherst, Massachusetts posted the computer file versions of games from companies such as Activision Inc., LucasArts, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Midway Amusement Games and Capcom Entertainment.
Dolby Laboratories
The company’s Consumer Division has been reorganized into three elements: Richard Hockenbrock has been promo’d to head up the new licensing operations group as vice president, Steve Vernon is now responsible for the technology group, and Ed Schummer remains in charge of all intellectual property operations. The company website.
IDSA
According to the Interactive Digital Software Association, some $6.02 billion was achieved in sales for 2000 by the interactive entertainment industry. Of this amount, $4.1 billion of the earnings were for video games and $1.55 billion for computer games. For education software, they reached $365 million in sales. And let’s not forget about video game rentals, folks... they were responsible for $just under $919 million! Into this mix we’ll soon be welcoming such entities as GameCube and Xbox, and these numbers can only rise. More info.
IGDA
The 2001 Game Developers Conference, which opens shortly in San Jose, CA, will find 25 students attending, each one winning a scholarship to this game development info and exhibition show from the Independent Game Developers Association. They’ll be whisked to the show, enjoy the demos and absorb the various tracks being offered. More info on the winners and the scholarships are available at the IGDA website.
Interplay
Interplay Entertainment Corp.’s anticipated results for the fourth quarter of 2000 show net revenues in the range of $30 million to $32 million, with an estimated net loss in the range of $0.15 to $0.20 per share. These results represent an increase of more than 10 percent in net revenues and a decrease in the net loss per share over last year’s fourth quarter results. Retail slowdowns, the lack of the Sony PlayStation 2 during the holidays, lower PC hardware sales trends and foreign exchange transaction losses all impacted the company’s results. Final operating results are expected to be announced in March 2001.
More info.
Iron Lore
Iron Lore Entertainments’ website goes live with details
about the company, people, games and employment opportunities. The company was founded
by industry veteran Brian Sullivan on October 1, 2000. Iron
Lore’s goal is to create successful top–quality games while maintaining a
professional and fun environment. More info.
Knowledge Adventure
Children’s software publisher Knowledge Adventure has just appointed Stephen Farr–Jones to vice president of marketing and business development. In this role, Farr–Jones will focus on strategic growth areas including global expansion of the company’s JumpStart Learning System and Blaster Learning Series, as well as its portfolio of children’s entertainment licenses including Barbie, Fisher–Price and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
LEGO
Andy Macdonald, six–time X–Games skateboarding gold–medallist and five–time World Cup Skateboarding overall points champion, teams up with LEGO Systems, Inc. With this one–year sponsorship, Andy will promote the company’s new line of Bionicle action heroes with special guest appearances, participation in select promotional events and will fashion the Bionicle logo and icon on the deck of his board. More info.
Milia 2001
Milia 2001 will attract professionals involved in the creating,
owning, publishing and broadcasting of interactive content. Delegates from over
50 countries attend a variety of high profile events and will meet
with over 800 exhibiting companies including Sony, Infogrames,
Microsoft and Motorola. MILIA is being held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France through Wednesday, February 14.
More info.
Sega
Due to some rather depressed shares of late, Sega has sold back to U.S. parent Sega.com Inc. their Asia Network and PC Networks online game software units. Expect a name change as well as a return to their original, paper product businesses.
Square
Square, for the first time in its existence, has suffered a loss this quarter, and there will be no stock dividends issued. When such downturns affect Japanese companies, as is their tradition, three executives have resigned from their positions and will work with Square on a more, limited basis.
THQ
THQ is evolving to an online, wireless and next–gen system developer. Capitalizing on today’s emerging Internet and wireless technologies, the third–party publisher will provide games both on the web and via mobile phones and wireless devices. THQ recently secured publishing rights for all Nickelodeon’s kids’ television and movie properties to add to its franchise titles from World Wrestling Federation, Rugrats, Power Rangers and others. THQ plans to bring 25 new titles to PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox and Game Boy Advance. In cahoots with Warner Bros., N64 smash
Scooby–Doo! Classic Creep Capers has been released for
Game Boy Color. More info.
Turbine Entertainment
The Origin Systems exec, Jeff Anderson, has now joined Turbine Entertainment as this company's new CEO and President. Ed Barron, the current CEO, is retiring, and other promos include David Bowman and Mike Steele to veep status. Company website.
Twin Galaxies Record–Breaking Book
Twin Galaxies, known for 20–years for keeping statistical records of the video game industry, is embarking on a new project and wants your help. A special 1,200 page commemorative edition of Twin Galaxies’ Official Video Game & Pinball Book of World Records will include biographies and photos of the top record–breaking gamers. Here you can nominate gamers. The book will cover 20–years of world records for titles ranging from 1982 Tron World Championships to Quake III, Half–Life and Unreal Tournaments. Winners playing on the current video game platforms will be included as well as the arcade game winners. Eventually, Twin Galaxies will include winners of games on the Xbox, Indrema Console and Gamecube.
—MULTIPLATFORM GAMES—
Acclaim Max Sports
Get set, BMX’ers, for in May of next year, Acclaim Entertainment is expected to ship Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX: Maximum Remix, which is a super enhanced version of their current Dave Mirra game. Being developed by Z–Axis, the title will contain all of the top riders (including Mirra and Ryan Nyquist), 20 tracks, an Expert Mode, more stats, more than 1,300 tricks and new additions to the soundtrack. Acclaim’s website.
Nintendo
This year, Nintendo will build on its Pokemon franchise’s continued success with new games, TV, toys, and a movie. Pokemon Stadium 2 for Nintendo 64 will release this March and Pokemon Crystal for Game Boy Color is expected this fall. The animated TV episodes Johto Journeys on Kids WB! continues to rule the airwaves, taking the top spot among kids ages two– to 11–years. Hasbro will introduce new toys, games and collectibles. And the next movie installment, Pokemon 3 the Movie, opens nationwide on April 6. More info.
Red Lemon
Aye, laddies and lassies, the Scots have turned quite a trick! Red Lemon, a game development studio based in Scotland, has managed to beat out dozens of other companies for the licensing rights to Farscape. This science–fiction TV series is from The Jim Henson Company and the game is going to be promulgated for the PC as well as either the PlayStation 2 or the Microsoft Xbox and will be published by Simon and Schuster Interactive. Red Lemon is probably best known for their previously–released Braveheart game that was published by Eidos Interactive back in June of 1999 and the Red Storm published Aironauts. Red Lemon.
—PC_MAC_LINUX GAMES—
Bethesda Software
Patching up programs requires due diligence on the part of the game developer and publisher — after all, there’s nothing worses than unhappy consumers due to those nasty bugs. Bethesda Softworks has just released patches for two of their games: PBA 2001 and Sea Dogs (v.1.006). Glom onto the patches at this direct link.
Blue Byte Software
Flight combat sim fans everywhere are being offered the chance to take a peek at IL–2 Sturmovik with its Beta test sign up. Using PC specs and drawing names randomly, 200 entrants will be chosen to sample the real thing and decide for themselves if this product is as good as the press has claimed. Oleg Maddox will be available for a developer chat on the title this Saturday, February 17 at 12 p.m. CST. Meanwhile, Ubi Soft has acquired Blue Byte Software. More info.
Cinemaware
Talk about a dynamic rebirth! Wow, their titles were always "cutting edge" in the past, and now the company is back... and they are making available both King of Chicago and Lords of the Rising Sun ready for your own download. These are classic games, folks, and you can can obtain them at no cost whatsoever. Become a mob boss in King of Chicago or rule feudal Japan in Rising Sun. However, these files are only going to be available for a short time, so head over to and become a member of the mob and over to to become a Japanese warlord.
Codemasters
A new, restrained environment is under development at Codemasters. The title finds you in World War II and you must plan the escape of four Allied officers from a German prisoner–of–war camp. Aptly titled Prisoner of War, expect the title to debut for both PC and PlayStation 2 gamers and should make its way from the code rooms at Codemaster this fall. The company’s website.
Codemasters
With six vehicles you can select from at the start of the game, eight lands within which to race, and more than 90 tracks, Codemasters is now shipping their latest PC offering, Colin McRae Rally 2.0. As you move through the game, seven additional cars will become available for your use. More info.
Digital Leisure
Digital Leisure releases its latest DVD–Video game for the PlayStation 2. In Kingdom II: Shadoan, Lathan Kandor searches for five missing pieces of the magic amulet while trying to destroy the evil Wizard Torlock and reunite with Princess Grace Delight. This is the sequel to Thayer’s Quest. More info.
Gathering of Developers
Already a hunter of evil do’ers, looks like Duke Nukem is preparing yet another reprise. Under development by 3D Realms and Action Forms Ltd., this time the Duke enters a hunting environment as he goes all out and captures a variety of prey, from alligators to sharks, gorillas and lions. He’ll be packing ten powerful weapons, including two rather advanced (technologically–speaking) offensive items: a freeze and a shrink ray gun. Company info sites: 3D Realms and Action Forms.
Interplay Entertainment
The company’s Black Isle Studios is delighted to inform one and all that Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter has now reached that all–important "gold" status. This is the latest expansion pack for the popular fantasy RPG and will offer gamers some brand new areas to explore as well as additional spells and beasties to whet your sword. The game is set within the Forgotten Realms, an Advanced Dungeons & Dragons licensed game environment. Interplay website.
Learning Company, The
According to the Learning Co.’s entertainment division, GAME
Studios, The Moon Project is still on track for a
March 9 release. This announcement comes after concerns over the
financial stability of the title’s developer, Topware Interactive of Mannheim, Germany. The Moon Project is the sequel to last year’s Windows–based real–time strategy game, Earth 2150. More info.
PopTop Software
The latest in world building sims is now set for rollout this April for PC gamers, with a Mac version soon to follow in May. We’re speaking of Tropico, which is a 3D building stratsim that has you using some 80 types of structures as you develop a remote, Caribbean island. You’ll find yourself engaged in a variety of work, from building hotels and spas to banana and sugar plantations, mines, trading areas such as airports and sea ports, government buildings as well as industrial complexes. But watch out for those tin shanties and rebel camps — nothing could be worse for your economy! More info.
Stardock Entertainment
Back in the days of IBM’s OS/2 operating system, there was a game known as Galactic Civilizations. Now, the game is being updated by Stardock Entertainment. This is a TBS (turn–based strategy) game that occurs in the 22nd century. Gamers will engage in a broad range of game environments, from diplomacy and politics to trade and military ops. The only way you’ll win is to balance all efforts, understanding that how you initiate your allocation of resources and build your technologies, while simultaneously working on your alliances and force tactics, can result in your success. Focus is on general strategy and the game should ship by Christmas of this year. Stardock.
Westwood Studios
Expect a whole slew of added value when Command & Conquer Renegade hits retail this fall from Westwood Studios/EA. For single–players, there will be a new cooperative mode as well as base damage that’s linked, meaning that if a resource supply facility has been damaged, such will affect the operation of other bases reliant upon that base’s feed. Multiplayer modes will also be much improved and realistic weather conditions. Westwood Studios.
WizardWorks
With a chomping of razor–sharp teeth, you’ll soon be able to head out and hunt the great white as well as other species of shark, as WizardWorks and Sunstorm Interactive prepare to release Shark! Hunting the Great White by March 1st. This underwater sim has attained its hue of going gold and you can learn more at Sunstorm.
WizardWorks
In March, you’ll have more robots at your beck and call. WizardWorks is going to offer a new action game called Robot Arena that’ll even allow you to import your own robotic constructs created using 3D Studio Max into the game. The title will also have online multiplayer support, a lab wherein you can create and design your own robot warriors from a broad range of various components, all to help you totally annihilate other players’ metallic warriors.
—PLAYSTATION 2—
The 3DO Company
En route for the PlayStation 2 is heroine Vikki G. as she tackles Brigitte Bleu and tries to defeat her through various toy worlds in their latest game–in–development, Portal Runner. From The 3DO Company, expect to also see a Game Boy Color version. PlayStation 2 gamers should be able to find the game this spring.
989 Sports
NBA lets you shoot it out, as 989 Sports and Sony Computer Entertainment America take their title, NBA ShootOut 2001 for the PlayStation 2, to the NBA All–Star Weekend from February 9 through 11 in Washington, D.C. You can get your hands on the game at kiosks at the All–Star Comedy Celebration and Block Party at Planet Hollywood, in the player hospitality suite at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. and the Washington Convention Center. NBA ShootOut 2001 provides realistic stadium and player models and input from NBA players that include Chris Webber, and commentary from New Jersey Nets broadcaster, Ian Eagle.
Alias¦Wavefront
Did you know that four PlayStation 2 titles that have already received enormous popularity actually used the Maya 3D animation and sfx software from Alias¦Wavefront for their creation? Yep, ’tis true... Electronic Arts’ Madden NFL 2001, SSX: Snowboard Supercross and NHL 2001, as well as Namco’s Tag Tournament, all incorporated the Maya technology into these best selling titles. The latest version, Maya 3, brings into play Trax non–linear animation and motion editing/layering, new polygonal modeling, plus advanced texture mapping and painting capabilities. By the way, the aforementioned titles, according to PC Data, were the top four selling games for the PlayStation 2! Company website.
Capcom
With plans to debut Onimusha in the U.S. sometime next month, expectations remain high for this survival horror game... already the title has sold more than 860,000 copies in Japan and could very well hit the one million unit sold mark — a first for any PlayStation 2 game. Capcom website.
Eidos Interactive
Wow, buy Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (due to release next week) from Eidos Interactive’s only eCommerce facility and you can glom onto a second PlayStation 2 title at no extra cost. Er, this is not EVERY PS2 title, however... titles that fall within this special purchase include Soul Reaver or Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation.
Infogrames
The French equivalent of the U.S.–based Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as Milia 2001, finds Infogrames preparing all for the coming of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare. For the PlayStation 2 machine, the game will release later this year and the developer is none other than Darkworks, the company that produced other platform versions of Alone in the Dark. Infogrames website.
Infogrames
With work underway by Infogrames’ Melbourne House game development studio, racing sim enthusiasts who own PlayStation 2 units can look forward to a summer release of Le Mans 24 Hours. Included in the game will be 30 new vehicles, 12 actual tracks, and some 70 licensed vehicles. Yep, you can race in a variety of time–compressed modes or give a full, 24–hour race a shot. As many as 24 cars can compete in each race and a two–player split–screen mode will be included. The title will offer night and day lighting effects, realistic physics, and so on. Infogrames.
Interplay Entertainment
Prepare ye PlayStation 2 gamers, for thy swords must be as sharp as thy wit! Just announced by Interplay is that their FRPG (fantasy role–playing game) Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is en route to your system. Under development by Snowblind Studios, the game should release this fall with alleged graphics that surpass the likes offered by other console systems. And for those also interested in the upcoming PC title, Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter, which has just gone "gold", you can now glom onto the company’s new, one minute, 13MB movie promo for the title at the company’s ftp site. In this new expansion disc, you’ll adventure in the Ten Towns within the Forgotten Realms universe.
Namco
Set for a July debut in the U.S., Namco has prepared their upcoming Konoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil for PlayStation 2 gamers for release. The game’s first see the light of day is in Japan. Also set to debut this fall in Japan is the company’s GunCon light gun for the PlayStation 2, with full USB connectivity, probably for use with their upcoming Vampire Night game. Details.
Sega
They’re still buddies, Sega and Namco... having both developed Vampire Night, word is that they are now going into biz together to create a number of PlayStation 2 arcade offerings.
Ubi Soft
Already planned for release on the Sega Dreamcast and for the PC, Ubi Soft has just announced that their Evil Twin title will now also release for the PlayStation 2, as well. In development by Utero, this horror adventure title will release during Q1 of next year.
—TECHNOLOGY—
E–Book
E–Book lets you flip, and you can now you can look at catalogs, newsletters and virtual photo albums on your PC by flipping the pages, just as though you are reading a book, thanks to E–Book Systems’ FlipAlbum CD Maker Professional Edition. An encryption capability enables professional photographers to prevent their photos from being pirated, and you can create custom covers, backgrounds and color schemes. FlipAlbum sells for $99.95, which provides for distribution of up to 1000 copies per year.
Gemini
Gemini Industries introduces the PROmote
remote control with wireless programming capabilities. In 2.2 seconds, users merely log
on to the website, select all of the components they wish PROmote to control, point the
device point PROmote at the computer screen and click "PROGRAM."
More info.
—WEB_ONLINE GAMES_WIRELESS—
Buzztime
After only 49 days, more than 130,000 Sprint PCS Wireless Web subscribers have played in excess of 180,000 Entertainment, Sports and General trivia games while averaging more than five minutes per visit in the BUZZTIME channel. BUZZTIME’s multiplayer trivia quiz shows are increasing in popularity as they connect players in real–time across multiple devices. Sprint PCS subscribers will find BUZZTIME interactive trivia in the Games folder of the Sprint PCS Wireless Web.
CNET
Nearly two years after it first popped up on CNET and other Internet sites offering free software downloads, Dope Wars has become one of the world’s hottest and most controversial computer games. Players live vicariously as drug dealers, hounded by loan sharks and armed police officers in one of 10 cities worldwide. More than 2 million Internet users have downloaded the game. Whereas, the handheld version of the game for computers such as the Palm is the second most downloaded program, with the first being the dictionary.
More info.
EA.com
EA.com unveiled a new online experience called Majestic
at The DEMO 2001 Conference. The Internet–based game presents a suspense thriller complete with a conspiracy that involves covert government agencies and menacing fugitives. Majestic decides when it’s time to engage and summon players to their PCs via email, instant messaging, voicemail, fax and the Internet. All lines of reality will blur in Spring 2001 on EA.com. More info.
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts is partners with Sentica and will provide an array of mixed media content and notifications to both wireless and wired devices. Sentica’s wireless platform software, SenticaXchange, will deliver clues to EA’s Internet–based suspense thriller game, Majestic. In addition, Sentica’s communication technology
extends EA’s reach to deliver data, voice and video to the owners of their interactive entertainment software and registered members of EA.com.
Freeloader.com
Who doesn’t enjoy playing games that may be downloaded at no cost! Just added to Freeloader.com’s bevy of bright games is Sno–Cross, a new, online, multiplayer racing game. Other titles include "Thrust, Twist ’n Turn", "Hype" (a really wacky tennis game), the World War II thriller "Hidden and Dangerous", "Supercross Kings" (with two new episodes ready for download), and the space odyssey "Halcyon Sun". Details.
Interplay Games
Interplay.com has launched its new site complete with downloadable demos, minigames and more DevTV coverage. The site will continue to serve as the primary Interplay portal. Interplay has also acquired the license for The Matrix while Shiny Entertainment will develop the game. More info.
IntraNet Solutions
IntraNet Solutions, Inc. inked a deal that puts their Xpedio Content Management system into ViA’s wearable computers. The integrated solution enables mobile users to wirelessly access, manage and update business content. A demo can be seen in IntraNet Solutions’ booth at Internet World Wireless, February 21–23 in New York City.
More info.
Microsoft
Microsoft invites gamers to take a journey through a living world of oddball creatures and off–the–wall action with the opening of the official Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee site. Flash technology enables players to venture into the first Oddworld in full 3D long before they are able to play the actual game. The adventure game is being developed exclusively for Xbox by Oddworld Inhabitants, and is due to ship in Fall 2001. More info.
Nelvana
Nelvana officially launches a new online, interactive game for kids and anime fans to collect and trade Cardcaptors Clow Cards. In the Cardcaptors Challenge, players attempt to complete their Clow Book by following clues that take them to selected sites throughout the Internet. To capture more of the sought–after cards and complete their individual collections, alliances will need to be established in the different trading rooms. An earlier version of the game was launched in partnership with AOL and Kids WB! as a three–week contest during the holiday season. More info.
Nitrostream
Nitrostream, Inc. has opened the pre–launch site for it’s
first multiplayer game Toy Gladiator. Within the game, users
can custom build and train their own gladiators. During the pre–launch users can
register and receive an interactive "ToyCard" trading card featuring their creation. The site will officially launch late spring 2001.
More info.
Non–Profit International Online Gaming Association
Like many other dot–com’s, Digital Addiction’s chief executive
Ethan Ham, was ready to throw in the towel after struggling to survive through 30–month’s of existence with Sanctum, an online role–playing game. While playing Sanctum was free, its 140,000 registered gamers were charged for packs of collectible cards. Sanctum created such a strong loyalty base that when seven of the game’s most ardent fans learned of the impending shutdown they pooled their resources, purchased the rights to the game and formed a nonprofit company, saving the game from becoming a casualty. The new owners agree that while no one will get rich, the game and its loyal community have been saved.
Sega of America
For online consumption later this year is a new title called Floigan Brothers, from Sega of America. Included in the title is technology that’ll allow you to engage in chat as well as glom onto the latest advances for the game, all online. With an April release expected, rumor has it that the company may well be considering two Floigan titles this year.
SwapIt
Don’t want that old CD or game? Then SwapIt! CDSwapper from SwapIt allows MP3.com music fans to send in CDs and games previously purchased that they no longer want. Once received, a credit will be issued to purchase other CDs and games through the SwapIt service. More info.
—XBOX—
Discreet
Discreet and Microsoft Corp. have teamed up to provide Discreet’s 3D modeling, rendering and animation package, 3ds max, for the Xbox video game console. Engineered with architectural and feature changes, the 3ds max 4 viewport enables game developers to actually see hardware–rendered, textured models animating in real–time, just as they would appear in a finished Xbox game. More info.
Electronic Arts
Whispered throughout the industry is that all signs point to Electronic Arts’ franchise series, Need for Speed, is going to be racing its way onto Microsoft’s Xbox. EA rarely does anything minimal, so expectations are that the Xbox could see a variety of NFS titles in the future. The company website.
Microsoft
Microsoft has aligned with two Japanese firms to spearhead sales of its new Internet–ready Xbox video game console and gain a competitive edge over Sony and Nintendo this fall. Japanese investor, Softbank Commerce, provides its own distribution network designed to sell a variety of computer software. Whereas, Happinet offers a wholesale network of toys and TV game equipment.
NVIDIA
A most important step forward for Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox... the GPU and the MCPX for the Xbox are now heading into fabrication, a real milestone as the silicon promises become reality. NVIDIA website.
