Sales of videogame film tie-ins have seen a sharp decrease this year, according to new data derived from the recent NPD Group sales results in the US.

As revealed in an article from the Los Angeles Times, all five of the most prominent movie licensed titles in April underperformed in the US. Purposefully delayed from launch alongside both the film and DVD, in order to try and ensure quality, Grin's Wanted: Weapons of Fate has sold only 100,000 units since its launch on March 24.

The critically acclaimed The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena also sold only around 100,000 units. Released on March 17 the game was famously dropped, alongside fellow film license Ghostbusters and others, during the Activision Blizzard merger - before being picked up by Atari.

Even high profile tie-in Monsters vs. Aliens, published by Activision as part of its ongoing partnership with DreamWorks Animation, sold just 161,000 units since March 2. Meanwhile, Disney's Hannah Montana: The Movie sold just 65,000 units in its initial three weeks on sale.

A relative success in comparison, Electronic Arts' The Godfather II - which is only loosely based on the second The Godfather movie - sold 241,000 units, with the Xbox 360 version debuting at number five in the April top ten. However, the first game sold 4 million units worldwide and the second now seems unlikely to match this figure.

Although film tie-ins have for decades been criticised for their low quality, due to rushed releases schedules and the cost of obtaining the license, they have always been a reliable driver of sales. The relative failure of the most recent titles has also been mirrored in European sales charts, but it remains unclear whether this is a long term trend.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...m-tie-in-sales ...

Developers received an email from Apple inviting me to try out the first push notification application this afternoon as reported by sayam.

Quote:
As a developer actively working with iPhone OS 3.0 beta, we would like your help in testing the Apple Push Notification service. We have selected a pre-release version of the Associated Press app for iPhone OS 3.0 to create a high-volume test environment for our servers.

The Associated Press app is very well done and the push notification is very good addition to the news alert app. When you first launch the app it give you a setup menu and a pop up, requesting permissions to use push notifications appears.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/mmi-sit...u-enabled.html ...

A guy named Sfreddo Marco discovered an exclusive iTunes screen after updating his phone to the latest beta of the iPhone 3.0 firmware. While upgrading, iTunes got stuck with an error which unknowingly gave him access to hidden settings!

After the upgrade was successfully completed, the user found a new section dedicated to Nike+ in iTunes 8.2 with his iPhone connected. iTunes 8.2 gives user the ability to create Nike+ accounts and see the history of old sessions. A menu for "Sensor" was found as well which seems quite interesting. The Nike + tab and the Sensor menu hint at the use of Nike + technology for the upcoming iPhone. Nike + is currently exclusive for iPod Touch 2G only! It also appears that it might be possible to connect to other external sensors, switchable through a menu.

It is suspected that these features can be enabled with simple plist tweaking but the correct edits have yet to be discovered.

http://www.modmyi.com/forums/iphone-...one-model.html ...

Sony is about to be embroiled in another lawsuit concerning force feedback technology, according to a complaint filed in New Jersey.

As first reported by website Patent Arcade, the lawsuit concerns patent holder Craig Thorner, who alleges that Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) conspired with peripheral maker Performance Designed Products (PDP) to have him sign away patent rights for a fraction of their value.

Thorner held several patents relating to force feedback technology, which became central to Sony's defence in its infamous legal action against Immersion. He claims that after Sony's loss against Immersion he was contacted by PDP, who were also involved in legal action with Immersion.

PDP licensed Thorner's patents using the same attorneys representing Sony and Thorner now alleges that the two companies conspired to cheat him out of a more favourable deal. Thorner is suing PDP for legal malpractice and Sony for patent infringement.

Both Microsoft and Sony were sued by force feedback maker Immersion, in actions dating back to 2003. Sony fought and lost the lawsuit. As a result they ended up paying USD 90 million in damages and saw the PlayStation 3 launch without any force feedback technology in its SixAxis controllers.

Microsoft initially settled for USD 26 million, before receiving USD 20.75 million back in royalties Immersion obtained from Sony.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...awsuit-emerges ...

Sony is about to be embroiled in another lawsuit concerning force feedback technology, according to a complaint filed in New Jersey.

As first reported by website Patent Arcade, the lawsuit concerns patent holder Craig Thorner, who alleges that Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) conspired with peripheral maker Performance Designed Products (PDP) to have him sign away patent rights for a fraction of their value.

Thorner held several patents relating to force feedback technology, which became central to Sony's defence in its infamous legal action against Immersion. He claims that after Sony's loss against Immersion he was contacted by PDP, who were also involved in legal action with Immersion.

PDP licensed Thorner's patents using the same attorneys representing Sony and Thorner now alleges that the two companies conspired to cheat him out of a more favourable deal. Thorner is suing PDP for legal malpractice and Sony for patent infringement.

Both Microsoft and Sony were sued by force feedback maker Immersion, in actions dating back to 2003. Sony fought and lost the lawsuit. As a result they ended up paying USD 90 million in damages and saw the PlayStation 3 launch without any force feedback technology in its SixAxis controllers.

Microsoft initially settled for USD 26 million, before receiving USD 20.75 million back in royalties Immersion obtained from Sony.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...awsuit-emerges ...

The Microsoft exclusive for Fallout 3's downloadable add-ons won't exist for much longer, as Bethesda has announced plans to bring all downloadable content for Fallout 3 to PlayStation 3. The fun isn't over for Fallout 3 PC and Xbox 360 owners just yet, however. Bethesda has also announced two new expansions, titled Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta, that will come to Microsoft platforms first.

Point Lookout takes players to a new swampy area with new quests. Mothership Zeta features a return of the aliens who are described by Bethesda as "pissed." The download allows players to experience an alien abduction. Both Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta will be priced at 800 Microsoft points (US $9.99). Point Lookout will be available in June for Xbox 360 and PC while Mothership Zeta is slated for July on the same platforms.

Operation: Anchorage will be released for PS3 in June with The Pitt and Broken Steel following with 4-6 weeks between each. Exact release dates will be announced in the future. Both Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta will eventually find their way over to PS3 as well, though they will come after the first three add-ons have made the leap.



All Fallout 3 downloads are on their way to PS3.But wait, there's more! Disc-based versions of the game add-ons are in the works. Fallout 3 Game Add-on Pack #1 will be released on May 26 for Xbox 360 and PC. It includes The Pitt and Operation: Anchorage. Add-on Pack #2, which includes Broken Steel and Point Lookout will be released in August for Xbox 360 and PC. PlayStation 3 will not get these disc-based versions of the add-ons. However, those on PS3 without access to the downloads will be able to buy the Fallout 3: Game of the Year edition that is coming out in October. It will include the full game plus all five add-ons and have a price of $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PS3 and $49.99 for PC.

And if that isn't enough for you to digest, read on for IGN's exclusive first interview with Todd Howard, Game Director for Fallout 3, that dives into more details on the newly announced add-ons as well as extra details on the port to PS3.

IGN: Is Point Lookout a reference to Point Lookout State Park in Maryland? Is that where the DLC takes place?

Todd Howard: Yes, yes it is.

IGN: Does the substantial history of Point Lookout State Park play a role in this expansion?

Todd Howard: In some ways, yes, such as the civil war stuff. Its modern incarnation is different, since we do treat it as we see it from the Fallout timeline, post 1950. More of a seaside vacation town with a boardwalk.

Like Operation: Anchorage (pictured here), you can expect a lot of new art for Mothership Zeta.IGN: Without spoiling too much for us, what is the general plotline of Point Lookout's new quests?

Todd Howard: Yeah, I really don't want to spoil it yet. It has a swampy-horror vibe. It's the brainchild of Joel Burgess and Nate Purkeypile, two of our best people here. Their pitch was, "picture backwoods Maryland, where the bombs didn't actually fall, but the world has left it behind." It's also big. Really big. It's a mini wasteland swamp to explore. It has a main quest, side quests, etc.

IGN: What about for Mothership Zeta?

Todd Howard: If you poke around Fallout 3, you can find a crashed UFO with an alien inside that is broadcasting a signal your Pip-Boy picks up. This is where you can get the alien blaster. Well, Mothership Zeta is answering the distress call. You get abducted and the whole thing takes place on a giant alien spacecraft. It's one of those classic 50's B movie type things, but with a harder edge.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/984/984131p1.html ...

The Microsoft exclusive for Fallout 3's downloadable add-ons won't exist for much longer, as Bethesda has announced plans to bring all downloadable content for Fallout 3 to PlayStation 3. The fun isn't over for Fallout 3 PC and Xbox 360 owners just yet, however. Bethesda has also announced two new expansions, titled Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta, that will come to Microsoft platforms first.

Point Lookout takes players to a new swampy area with new quests. Mothership Zeta features a return of the aliens who are described by Bethesda as "pissed." The download allows players to experience an alien abduction. Both Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta will be priced at 800 Microsoft points (US $9.99). Point Lookout will be available in June for Xbox 360 and PC while Mothership Zeta is slated for July on the same platforms.

Operation: Anchorage will be released for PS3 in June with The Pitt and Broken Steel following with 4-6 weeks between each. Exact release dates will be announced in the future. Both Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta will eventually find their way over to PS3 as well, though they will come after the first three add-ons have made the leap.



All Fallout 3 downloads are on their way to PS3.But wait, there's more! Disc-based versions of the game add-ons are in the works. Fallout 3 Game Add-on Pack #1 will be released on May 26 for Xbox 360 and PC. It includes The Pitt and Operation: Anchorage. Add-on Pack #2, which includes Broken Steel and Point Lookout will be released in August for Xbox 360 and PC. PlayStation 3 will not get these disc-based versions of the add-ons. However, those on PS3 without access to the downloads will be able to buy the Fallout 3: Game of the Year edition that is coming out in October. It will include the full game plus all five add-ons and have a price of $59.99 on Xbox 360 and PS3 and $49.99 for PC.

And if that isn't enough for you to digest, read on for IGN's exclusive first interview with Todd Howard, Game Director for Fallout 3, that dives into more details on the newly announced add-ons as well as extra details on the port to PS3.

IGN: Is Point Lookout a reference to Point Lookout State Park in Maryland? Is that where the DLC takes place?

Todd Howard: Yes, yes it is.

IGN: Does the substantial history of Point Lookout State Park play a role in this expansion?

Todd Howard: In some ways, yes, such as the civil war stuff. Its modern incarnation is different, since we do treat it as we see it from the Fallout timeline, post 1950. More of a seaside vacation town with a boardwalk.

Like Operation: Anchorage (pictured here), you can expect a lot of new art for Mothership Zeta.IGN: Without spoiling too much for us, what is the general plotline of Point Lookout's new quests?

Todd Howard: Yeah, I really don't want to spoil it yet. It has a swampy-horror vibe. It's the brainchild of Joel Burgess and Nate Purkeypile, two of our best people here. Their pitch was, "picture backwoods Maryland, where the bombs didn't actually fall, but the world has left it behind." It's also big. Really big. It's a mini wasteland swamp to explore. It has a main quest, side quests, etc.

IGN: What about for Mothership Zeta?

Todd Howard: If you poke around Fallout 3, you can find a crashed UFO with an alien inside that is broadcasting a signal your Pip-Boy picks up. This is where you can get the alien blaster. Well, Mothership Zeta is answering the distress call. You get abducted and the whole thing takes place on a giant alien spacecraft. It's one of those classic 50's B movie type things, but with a harder edge.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/984/984131p1.html ...

For years analysts have been insisting that Apple must introduce a cheaper iPhone, and soon. So, when Business Week heard that cheaper plans were coming, it reported the news in a positively giddy tone. But, I'm convinced that this is an under-the-radar move to shift to tiered data plans. Everyone who loves their all-you-can-eat iPhone data: enjoy it while it lasts.

http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl.../05/19/0052257 ...

Apparently, the reports of Duke's death are greatly exaggerated. According to a news release sent to IGN today by 3D Realms co-founder George Broussard, his company has not closed and still owns the Duke Nukem franchise. So what does that mean for the future of 3DR and the long-awaited Duke Nukem Forever? We'll explain.

This story really begins on May 6, when rumors surfaced that 3D Realms, the developer behind Duke Nukem and Max Payne, would close its doors for good, leaving the future of Duke Nukem Forever uncertain and gamers scratching their heads over the quiet decline of one of PC gaming's most famous developers.

Gamers mourned, reactions were penned and affected publishers issued reaction statements to the press. One such publisher was Take-Two, which had a deal with 3D Realms to publish Duke Nukem Forever. On the day the 3DR closure rumor broke, Take-Two told IGN:

"It is the Company's policy to not comment on its contractual relationships, nor do we comment on rumors and speculation. That said, we can confirm that our relationship with 3D Realms for Duke Nukem Forever was a publishing arrangement, which did not include ongoing funds for development of the title. In addition, Take-Two continues to retain the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever."

The company stopped short of confirming that the Duke Nukem developer had closed, and attempts to contact 3D Realms were unsuccessful.

Then, late last week, Take-Two filed a lawsuit against 3D Realms accusing 3D Realms of dragging its feet on the Duke Nukem Forever project, which began in 1997 and has not materialized since.

"[3D Realms parent company] Apogee continually delayed the completion date for the Duke Nukem Forever," Take-Two said in the complaint. "Apogee repeatedly assured Take-Two and the video-gaming community that it was diligently working toward competing development of the PC Version of the Duke Nukem Forever."

The lawsuit went on to accuse 3DR of breaching their publishing agreement for the title and said Take-Two spent $12 million on publishing rights for a game that never came together.

But 3D Realms tells a different story, saying Take-Two paid that money to former DNF publisher Infogrames/GT Interactive; that 3DR never saw a dime from that transaction; and that it's sunk more than $20 million of its own development dollars into the project. And while Broussard confirms that Take-Two holds the publishing rights to Duke Nukem Forever, he says 3DR "retains certain rights to sell the game directly to the public."

Sound messy? Apparently it is. Broussard says negotiations between the two companies fell apart on May 4 after Take-Two changed the terms of the agreement, forcing 3D Realms to fire the Duke Nukem Forever team and retrench.

"Despite rumors and statements to the contrary, 3D Realms has not closed and is not closing. 3DR retains ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise. Due to lack of funding, however, we are saddened to confirm that we let the Duke Nukem Forever development team go on May 6th, while we regroup as a company." Broussard writes. "While 3DR is a much smaller studio now, we will continue to operate as a company and continue to license and co-create games based upon the Duke Nukem franchise."

In the meantime, his company is fighting the Take-Two lawsuit. Last week the court denied Take-Two's request for a temporary restraining order against 3D Realms. According to Broussard, Take-Two's approach in the negotiations amounted to a "bully tactic" to attempt to gain control of the Duke Nukem franchise in a "fire sale."

"We will vigorously defend ourselves against this publisher," Broussard said.

A Take-Two spokesman told IGN today that the company has no futher comment on the matter.

http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/984/984145p1.html ...