via slashdot

Via GameSetWatch, a link to the official blog for the animated film Castlevania: Dracula's Curse. The story for the film is being written by the iconic Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Planetary), and the blog has tidbits of information from the writer about what we can expect with the film. Encouragingly, the movie is very much not aimed at children, will probably be just the first of a planned trilogy, and is generally based around the story from Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse. From the GSW post:
"He explains, grinning: 'To make it work as a film, I had to introduce new backstory, and I went through five drafts of the premise and three of the full outline to get the material where [Koji Igarashi] wanted it. He remains absolutely passionate about Castlevania. After eight rewrites of pre-production material, I remain absolutely passionate about beating the crap out of [Igarashi] in a dark alleyway one day.'" ...

1up is reporting that Bungie has admitted to not having the time to do cinematics right for the best-selling Halo 2. Along with statements they made earlier this year about flaws in Halo 2's multiplayer, the folks at Bungie seem quite willing to own up to previous mistakes. Their call to arms this time: everything will be better.

via slashdot ...

via eurogamer

THQ has revealed it has six titles based on Nickleodeon's properties due for release in 2007, including the companies first collaboration for the Xbox 360.

El Tigre will make its debut on Microsoft's home console, and is joined this year by SpongBob's Atlantis SquarePantis, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth, Zoey 101, Drake & Josh and Nicktoons 2007.

"We expect a continued robust Nickelodeon business in 2007 with an even greater presence on the popular Wii, our first title slated for release on Xbox 360, and additional titles in our new series of games based on Nickelodeon's live-action properties," commented Bob Aniello, senior VP of worldwide marketing.

Shaul Olmert, VP of digital products at Nickelodeon added: "Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids and the innovation that THQ brings to our gaming line-up continues to elevate us to new creative heights." ...

Nintendo's Pokemon Ranger for the DS is still at the top of the charts in Italy and Spain, for the week ended April 29.

Titles for Nintendo's best-selling handheld take up six of the top ten spots in Spain, with Hotel Dusk: Room 215, Dr Kawashima's Brain Training, Horsez and New Super Mario Bros. all performing well in the region.

Ubisoft's release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the PlayStation 3 has seen success in the Italian market, taking the number two spot on it's first week of release, while Atari continues to do well in the region with three Dragon Ball Z titles in the top ten.

Codemasters' MMO The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar has entered the German charts at number one for the week ended April 22. Other PC titles enjoying success in the market include EA's Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars and Blizzard's World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.

The top ten best-selling games for Spain, Italy and Germany follow:

Spain, week ended April 29

1. Pokemon Ranger

2. Hotel Dusk: Room 215

3. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training

4. Wii Play

5. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

6. Horsez

7. New Super Mario Bros.

8. Animal Crossing: Wild World

9. Metal Gear Solid; Portable Ops

10. Pro Evolution Soccer 6

Italy, week ended April 29

1. Pokemon Ranger

2. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

3. Pro Evolution Soccer 6

4. Who wants to be a Millionaire: Party Edition

5. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training

6. Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaiachi 2

7. Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories

8. UEFA Champions League 2006 – 2007

9. Dragon Ball Z Budokai 3 Platinum

10. Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaiachi Platinum

Germany, week ended April 22

1. The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar

2. Harvest Moon

3. Pokemon Ranger

4. The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar

5. Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

6. Dr Kawashima's Brain Training

7. Diddy Kong Racing

8. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

9. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

10. Mario Slam Basketball

via gibiz ...

The Games Convention Developers Conference (GCDC), today announced that semiconductor manufacturer, Intel, is once again the main sponsor of Europe's most important platform for developers, the GC Developers Conference 2007. Intel has been supporting the conference since 2004. From August 20-22, 2007, this year's conference brings together the international game development industry for the fifth time, right before Games Convention.

In actively supporting the GCDC for the fourth time, Intel underlines its important role for European developers. "Europe has a tremendous pool of talented game developers," said Arne Peters, segment manager consumer software & solutions Intel EMEA. "Europe deserves its own platform to share experiences, thoughts and views and information. GCDC is an important international conference and its success grows each year."

In talks and workshops, Intel will be presenting new multi-threading techniques and development tools at GCDC 2007. "Our long-term partnership with the GCDC offers us the ability to strengthen our cooperation with game developers and thus makes it possible for us to better respond to their needs and expectations," Peters continued.

"GCDC and Intel have a long history of cooperation, and with Intel we again have a strong partner for the international development community," said Frank Sliwka, project director GCDC ...

Mobile media company Player X has partnered with 3D mobile games developer FISHLABS to distribute its premium content in Europe, Asia and South America.

Under the terms of the aggregation deal, Player X has acquired exclusive distribution rights to critically acclaimed titles such as IMGA-short listed Blades & Magic™ and the multiple top award-winning DEEP™, the latter being launched across all three continents from mid-May. Player X will also announce three further FISHLABS games towards the end of Q3 07.

Player X has direct distribution deals with more than 110 mobile operators with a potential global footprint of more than 2.6 billion people and has recently taken top titles such as Miami Vice and Wallace & Gromit to places as disparate as Latvia, Mexico and India.

“Since more operators now outsource their mobile game needs, it’s vital for any content provider to find a distribution partner with as many direct channels as possible. Player X was our first choice to partner with because of their impressive list of global distribution channels and its highly professional in-house team,” said Michael Schade, CEO & Co-Founder of Fishlabs."

Player X will also distribute five other FISHLABS titles that include multiple top award-winning Galaxy on Fire™, Planet Riders™, Heli Strike™, Burning Tires™ and Tank Raid™ in APAC territories.

“We deliberately work with only a small number of content providers so we can ensure the best possible service for their quality products. Fishlabs’ 3D games are some of the best out there and we’re looking forward to taking these titles to gamers all around the planet,” said Tony Pearce, Player X CEO.

The news follows Player X's recent moves in ramping up its presence in the mobile games market by partnering with companies such as Sky TV and EMI Music and extending its relationship with FremantleMedia by adding a PrizePlay element to evergreen titles such as Family Fortunes and The Price Is Right. These efforts were recognised earlier this year when it was selected as a Finalist for the prestigious 2007 Red Herring Top 100 Awards. ...

Spanish publisher Virgin Play’s current game portfolio will be distributed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by Hamburg-based publisher dtp entertainment. Both companies today announce their co-operation.

The current distribution deal includes Spanish cult game “Torrente 3: El Protector” (PC, PS2), “Final Armada” (PSP, PS2) and “Dead’n’Furious” (Nintendo DS).

“We are glad to co-operate with a new and strong partner who will add innovative games addressing mainstream gamers to the German market. We are continuing to expand our 3rd party distribution services in Germany, Austria and Switzerland”, says Steffen Hippe, Sales Director, dtp entertainment.

“This is an important step in Virgin´s international expansion. We are extremely pleased to be working with dtp and are confident that our products will achieve nothing but success in their hands.” said Virgin´s Managing Director Francisco Encinas. ...

Spanish publisher Virgin Play’s current game portfolio will be distributed in Germany, Austria and Switzerland by Hamburg-based publisher dtp entertainment. Both companies today announce their co-operation.

The current distribution deal includes Spanish cult game “Torrente 3: El Protector” (PC, PS2), “Final Armada” (PSP, PS2) and “Dead’n’Furious” (Nintendo DS).

“We are glad to co-operate with a new and strong partner who will add innovative games addressing mainstream gamers to the German market. We are continuing to expand our 3rd party distribution services in Germany, Austria and Switzerland”, says Steffen Hippe, Sales Director, dtp entertainment.

“This is an important step in Virgin´s international expansion. We are extremely pleased to be working with dtp and are confident that our products will achieve nothing but success in their hands.” said Virgin´s Managing Director Francisco Encinas. ...

The ultimate pinball game is about to hit the Nintendo DS and this time it is set in the vivid and exciting sci-fi world of the Metroid franchise. In Metroid Prime Pinball players venture onto exciting Metroid Prime themed tables and take control of Samus Aran in her morph ball form. Whether you are a pinball or Metroid fan you can now enjoy classic pinball in the palm of your hand, all with a sci-fi twist as Metroid Prime Pinball launches itself across Europe on 22nd June 2007.

Inspired by the successful Metroid franchise, which has defined the action game genre for nearly twenty years, Metroid Prime Pinball allow players to experience a whole new pinball sensation, only on the innovative Nintendo DS. With tables spanning across the dual screens, players follow the pinball action whilst controlling numerous flippers to keep the ball in play. Metroid Prime Pinball also allows players to bend the rules and tilt the table using the innovative touch screen. To really make players feel part of the action, the game even comes with a free Rumble Pak, which will vibrate in time with bumps and explosions.

As player’s have come to expect from games in the Metroid series, Metroid Prime Pinball is jam packed full of secrets to uncover. Hitting certain points of a table will allow players to venture into one of many mini games featuring enemies from the Metorid Prime series. Here they must take on Shriekbats in Shriekbat Shootout, battle their way through Beetle Blast and overcome games like Triclops Terror in order to increase their score. Players can collect points and bonuses to improve their scores by defeating enemies, collecting items and guiding the ball into ‘hard-to-get-to’ areas of the table, all while keeping it safely above the flippers. Metroid Prime Pinball also features the all time classic pinball mini game – Multiball! Introducing three balls to the table at once, allowing players to earn jackpot points.

Metroid Prime Pinball features two exciting single player modes for players to experience, with stunning effects like rain environments and water reflections. In Multi Mission mode, players can unlock four bonus tables based on worlds from the franchise, such as Phendrana Drifts. Collecting artefacts and completing challenging objectives in the mode allows players to progress through the game’s tables and ultimately open the final level where the big enemy boss, Metroid Prime, awaits. Players can also select their favourite table and challenge the highest score in Single Mission mode.

If that isn’t enough of a challenge, Metroid Prime Pinball also allows players to compete with up to seven others simultaneously using Nintendo DS’s wireless capability in Wireless Mission mode, and all from just a single game card. Think you have the skills to take on and defeat your friends in a lightening-fast game of pinball? Well now you can prove it by setting a target score, which your friends must beat to take the glory.

Metroid Prime Pinball flips across Europe on the Nintendo DS on 22nd June 2007 for the estimated retail price of around €40 (£30 in the UK). ...