Consumer Electronics Daily News

THQ Creates A Virtual Canvas With The Launch Of Drawn To Life: The Next Chapter For Nintendo DS, & For The First Time, Wii

Highly Successful Franchise Continues to Push the Creative Envelope with an All-New Action Drawing Tool that Allows Players to Draw Directly Into the Game

 

THQ Inc. announced that Drawn to Life®: The Next Chapter™ is now available at retail outlets throughout North America exclusively for Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. The latest innovation in the Drawn to Life series, Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter, takes players back to Raposa Village, which has been inhabited by an evil shadowy figure, and players must once again draw their own hero and create weapons and tools to conquer their enemies. The newly introduced Action Drawing tool will allow for objects to be drawn directly into the game to help players navigate through the environments. Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter is rated E for everyone and is available for the suggested retail prices of $49.99 on Wii and $29.99 on Nintendo DS.

“We are excited to bring the Drawn to Life franchise to the Wii console for the first time,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management. “Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter expands on the creative elements seen in previous games within the series and allows players the freedom to bring to life the characters, environments and objects they dream up. The game demonstrates how THQ is committed to building this successful brand, which has resonated profoundly with both the casual and core gamers.”

 

About Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter

In Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter for Wii, players will draw their own heroes using the Wii Remote™ to find the Artifacts of Power and rid the Raposa village of an evil, shadowy figure that has taken over the land. Throughout the game, players will draw more than 100 unique items, such as vehicles and weapons using robust drawing tools. The all-new Action Drawing tool allows for objects to be drawn directly into the game to help navigate through the environments, such as a sky world, an ice world, a jungle and a shadow city. In addition, the game’s multi-player feature will allow players to draw their team members and equipment to compete head to head in a variety of mini-games, including soccer, hockey and basketball.

In Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter for Nintendo DS, players will be able to draw their own heroes, be they humans, animals or multi-limbed creatures, and embark on a brand new adventure aboard a Turtle Ship to defeat the evil Wilfre and restore color to the Raposa civilization. Players will have the ability to morph their hero into a blob or a spider, adding more gameplay and allowing for players to complete each level a variety of different ways. The game’s Action Drawing Tool gives each color special properties in order to help solve puzzles and progress through the game. Along the way, they will collect coins and color drops to unlock a variety of content, including new levels, weapon upgrades, customization options and hero abilities. In addition, the game’s multi-player aspect allows players to trade heroes, weapons, items and accessories with friends.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ, Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

For additional information, visit Drawn To Life or THQ.

D3Publisher’s BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks Is Out!

~ Now for Xbox 360™, Wii™, PlayStation®2, Nintendo DS™ and PSP® System

 

D3Publisher announced that BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks, the latest game in the multi-million unit selling Ben 10 video game franchise based on Cartoon Network’s hit television series, BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE, is now available in retail stores across North America. In an original storyline developed exclusively for BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks, Ben and the Omnitrix will journey to outer space and distant never-before-seen planets for the first time ever in the series. As in the show, Ben Tennyson will use 10 of his alien forms and their special powers to battle his greatest enemy, Vilgax, and an extreme team of fearsome foes in an effort to thwart a grand scheme to conquer the universe one planet at a time. BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™: Vilgax Attacks is now available for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Wii™ for a suggested retail price of $39.95, and for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system (including the PSP®go system) for a suggested retail price of $29.95.

“The best of the BEN 10 franchise is rolled into one big adventure in BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attacks, showcasing Ben Tennyson and 10 playable alien characters as well as favorite enemies, allies and locations from throughout Ben’s world,” said Kim Motika, vice president of worldwide sales and operations, D3Publisher. “BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attacks also marks the franchise’s first appearance on the Xbox 360, so players will enjoy revamped graphics and 3D gameplay that showcases the series like never before.”

In BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attacks, players will take control of Ben and 10 of his most popular alien forms: Echo Echo, Goop, Brain Storm, Chromastone, Big Chill, Humungousaur, Spidermonkey, Swampfire, Jet Ray, and Cannonbolt to manipulate fire, harness electricity, freeze enemies and more. Players will also adventure as alien form Upchuck exclusively in the Nintendo DS version for additional powers to command and explore. Gamers will journey to exciting never-before-seen alien home planets on Ben’s first interactive intergalactic adventure to battle against a roster of Ben’s most infamous villains and foes, including his ultimate nemesis, Vilgax. Offering a solid blend of combat, puzzle solving and platform gameplay, BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attacks provides hours of gameplay for players of all skill levels.

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE: Vilgax Attack for Nintendo DS is rated “E” (Everyone – Cartoon Violence, Comic Mischief) by the ESRB and was developed by 1st Playable Productions, LLC. All other versions are rated “E 10+” (Everyone 10 and up – Fantasy Violence) by the ESRB and were developed by Papaya Studio Corporation.

About Cartoon Network Enterprises

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, The Secret Saturdays, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as a third party licensing agent through strategic partnerships with Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master for the award-winning Bakugan brand, CAKE Entertainment and Fresh TV for the hit Total Drama franchise and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 97 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

About D3Publisher

D3Publisher, a subsidiary of D3, Inc., is a leading interactive entertainment publisher and distributor for licensed and original titles for personal computers, major console platforms and handheld systems. D3Publisher has operations in the U.S., U.K., and Japan. The company also owns development studio Vicious Cycle Software, Inc., and its technology platform, Vicious Engine. Recent releases have included Dark Sector®, Dead Head Fred®, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords®, Ben 10™: Protector of Earth and BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE™ The Game. 

For additional information, visit D3Publisher.

Tinker Bell & Friends Return To Nintendo DS In Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell & The Lost Treasure

New adventures in the charming world of Pixie Hollow are abound in this year’s new release from Disney Interactive Studios

 

Last year, Disney Interactive Studios invited girls and fans everywhere to grab their Nintendo DS™ and fly away to Tinker Bell’s enchanting Pixie Hollow to play as a Disney Fairy. The follow-up to that rich and immersive experience is available today in retail stores nationwide. Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure for Nintendo DS comes to North America this holiday season on the same day as the all-new Blu-ray and DVD release from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, the second in a series of direct-to-DVD computer-animated adventures.

“Working closely with the filmmakers, we’ve been able to once again extend the beautiful environments, whimsical character animations and engaging tale of discovery seen in ‘Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure’ onto Nintendo DS,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The video game sequel allows players to mix creativity with gameplay, recreates memorable film moments and gives players more ways to connect with the online world of Pixie Hollow, the center of the Web-based universe for Disney Fairies. This cross platform synergy is indicative of how we are able to introduce compelling new ways to play every year.”

Unique to this year’s game is the ability for players to create and personalize up to five of their own fairies, from facial features to hair accessories, each with different talents focusing on tinkering, light, water, animal and gardening. One of those fairies can be uploaded onto the Disney Fairies Pixie Hollow (PixieHollow.com) virtual world from Disney Online, where visitors worldwide have created more than 22 million fairy avatars. Players are then able to use their DS fairy to go on quests, play talent games and gather items within the PixieHollow.com world.

The film-based Story mode opens as the Disney Fairies prepare for the Autumn Revelry, and Tinker Bell is chosen to create the prestigious Fall Scepter that can rejuvenate the Pixie Dust tree. But when her good friend Terence offers to help, Tinker Bell’s stubbornness and temper get the best of her, causing her to shatter the scepter’s fragile moonstone, as well as her friendship with Terence. To make things right, Tinker Bell must now embark on a perilous quest north of Never Land to find the Mirror of Incanta, which will grant her one wish.

Players will notice that similar to the film, Tinker Bell’s wardrobe has been updated to reflect the Autumn season and her evolution. In addition to the iconic green dress, she will be seen in-game sporting a jacket, leggings, boots and belt to carry all her tinkering tools. Other delightful activities in Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure are mini-games that involve fun tasks such as sewing, collecting water drops, balloon making and unscrambling puzzles.

Players can also embark on an online quest that ultimately unlocks a special item on both platforms and they can add ingredients gathered in the DS game to their collection on PixieHollow.com. The two platforms are now linked through up-to-date news and polls, dispatched from the online world directly to DS.

In addition, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure includes DGamer, the online community exclusive to Disney gamers on Nintendo DS, allowing players to connect with others and unlock Fairy-themed items in their DS game.

Developed by Hyde and published by Disney Interactive Studios, Disney Fairies: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), with a suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information, please visit www.disneyfairiesvideogame.com.

Also available for iPhone® and iPod touch® is Disney Fairies Fly. Fairies Fly lets players pick their favorite character and glide with the wind as Tinker Bell, Iridessa, Silvermist, Rosetta or Fawn, tackling the many challenges that await them in five magical worlds. Players can tilt and move their iPhone to dodge obstacles and grab customized pick-ups and pixie dust to unlock the next levels. Latest version available now for $4.99, includes new video and over 20 new Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure images and more.

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. 

For additional information, visit Disney Interactive Studios.

EA Releases NERF “N-Strike” Elite For The Wii With Bundled NERF Blaster & Red Reveal Lens

Sequel to Last Year’s Top-Selling NERF Video Game Delivers Over-the-Top Action in Celebration of Brand’s 40th Anniversary

 

The Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced shipment of NERF “N-Strike” ™ Elite for the Wii™, the next installment in the top-selling video game franchise. The 3-in-1 NERF “N-Strike” Elite experience includes the game, which is loaded with new in-game NERF blasters, missions, levels and expanded customization features as well as a bundled NERF SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blaster and attachable Red Reveal decoder lens.

“There were high expectations for NERF “N-Strike” Elite from consumers and retailers based on last year’s game success so we upped the ante across every facet of the experience,” said Chip Lange, General Manager and Vice President of EA’s Hasbro Division. “NERF “N-Strike” Elite delivers even deeper gameplay and customization elements, unlocks a new arsenal of blasters, and serves up high adrenaline missions for action seekers of all ages. In addition to the blaster, we added another accessory to the bundle – a decoder lens which adds a new layer of immersive and interactive NERF game play.”

Players kick-off the NERF “N-Strike” Elite action by choosing from four characters, each with unique blasters and special abilities. As part of a four-person team, they are tasked with completing a series of increasingly challenging missions with the ultimate end-goal of destroying an army of robots led by B.O.B., who has been rebuilt and is much tougher than in the first NERF “N-Strike” game. Players can arm themselves with more than a dozen real and never-before-seen NERF blasters that are unlocked as they progress through the game. Each blaster, including Hasbro’s new NERF N-STRIKE RAIDER RAPID FIRE CS 35 which makes its first game debut, offers individual strengths and weaknesses adding tactical strategy to NERF “N-Strike” Elite.

As players progress through several indoor and outdoor levels, they encounter glowing canisters that they can blast to collect points to use toward customization, such as increasing the firing speed and changing the color of the blasters. Players can also use their points to “purchase” in-game upgrades like scopes, lasers, and dart with custom colored trails or whistles.

Players have the option of going solo through the levels or teaming up with a friend in two-player co-operative play for the entire campaign. In this mode, teamwork is rewarded as players encounter areas of the game that they can only enter as a team of two. In these environments, cooperation is required to unlock special Elite Moments, where action intensifies and unique unlockable items and hidden codes can be found.

NERF “N-Strike” Elite comes bundled with a NERF SWITCH SHOT EX-3 blaster that offers two ways to play. Players can snap the Wii Remote into the chamber of the blaster and use it for in-game play or alternatively, swap in the dart cartridge to transform the blaster for classic NERF play. The second accessory component is a brand new Red Reveal lens that attaches to the blaster and is used to uncover hidden messages within the game that allows players to find hidden unlock codes and expose enemy weak spots.

“The launch of NERF “N-Strike” Elite is the perfect way to round out the 40th anniversary of the powerhouse NERF brand,” said Mark Blecher, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Gaming and Media at Hasbro. “EA and Hasbro continue to push the boundaries in terms of re-imagining the NERF experience for the digital consumer and together, we’ve integrated accessories inspired by the NERF toy line to deliver an amazing 3-in-1 bundle that will be a big hit with boys this holiday season.”

NERF “N-Strike” Elite is available at retail and priced at MSRP $59.99. The game is rated E10+. For more information, visit http://nerf.ea.com. For assets, visit http://info.ea.com/product.asp?s=2643.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. 

For additional information, visit EA.

Conquer The African Wild & Bring Home SimAnimals Africa For The Wii & Nintendo DS This Week

Explore and Tame the Wild African Kingdom Including Lions, Gorillas and Elephants

 

Get ready to have your passport stamped on an African adventure! The EA Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced SimAnimals™ Africa for the Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ shipped and will be available Worldwide this week. In SimAnimals Africa, players tame exotic animals including lions, gorillas and elephants by befriending, petting, playing and even controlling their movements as they explore landscapes like savannas, jungles and river deltas.

“SimAnimals Africa transports players to the African wilderness where they must restore the balance of nature to win the game,” said Tim LeTourneau, General Manager of the SimAnimals Franchise. “Throughout their journey, they’ll interact with exotic animals, learn to unlock their unique abilities, discover new locations, and uncover interesting collectibles. It brings the current focus on the environment home in a safe and entertaining way.”

SimAnimals Africa for the Wii allows players to interact with wild African animals while they venture across jungles, deserts, savannas, river deltas and more. Each brand new animal has their own unique skill and it’s up to the player to find their secret abilities. Kicking zebras, rock-breaking rhinos and crocodiles that excel at hunting are all part of the cast of characters that will assist players in keeping the environment happy and help them unlock new areas, animals, and special items. Mini-games give players more ways to interact with the animals. The ring toss, drumming, and petting games help the animals hone their unique skill and assist players in achieving their goals more quickly. Additionally, there are over five dozen rare objects for players to collect including bugs, fruits and flowers. If players feed one of these rare items to an animal they may get an unexpected surprise. Players can now choose to play as an animal as well where they can water the terrain as an elephant, kick fruit off trees as a zebra or jump over riverbeds as a gazelle.

SimAnimals Africa on the Nintendo DS allows players to bring the African adventure with them anywhere and play with friends. Featuring all of the animals included in the Wii adventure, the Nintendo DS version also features exclusive animals including cheetahs, meerkats, aardvarks, a parrot and even a surprise secret animal as a reward for finishing the game. Build relationships with these wild, African animals, discover their secret abilities and use them to help solve challenges. Collect items to earn each reward badge in the game. The stylus and microphone allow players to interact with the animals and environment in a totally unique way. A friendly parrot is the guide through the African landscape—players can talk to the parrot through the Nintendo DS microphone and hear their words repeated back. Kids will conquer the African kingdom in co-op mode, where they can trade plants and animals and play together with friends to achieve goals faster.

Developed by The Sims Studio in the EA Play Label, SimAnimals Africa is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, 3+ by PEGI, and has an MSRP of $39.99 and $29.99 for the Wii and Nintendo DS, respectively. For more information about SimAnimals Africa, visit www.simanimalsafrica.com. For game artwork, visit http://www.info.ea.com.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is a leading global interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EATM, EA SPORTSTM, EA MobileTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2009, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $4.2 billion and had 31 titles that sold more than one million copies. 

For additional information, visit EA.

Glu Serves Up More Fun With The Launch Of Diner Dash: Flo On The Go For Mobile Phones Worldwide

 

Glu Mobile Inc., a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced the launch of Diner Dash: Flo on the Go® for mobile handsets worldwide. Diner Dash: Flo on the Go marks the sixth mobile title Glu has developed and published through its multi-year, worldwide partnership with PlayFirst™, Inc., a leading publisher of casual games and creator of the Diner Dash series. In the newest mobile release, Flo trades in her apron for a passport to paradise. Thrills, spills, and a surprise restaurant await in the third episode of the original smash hit.

Since the first Diner Dash mobile release in 2006, the series has achieved consistent top-rated hits, winning multiple awards including a Silver and Gold Award from PocketGamer and two IGN Editors’ Choice Awards.

“Flo on the Go is a perfect combination of addicting new features and classic game play that contributed to the success of the previous Dash titles, making this game more exciting than ever,” said Alex Galvagni, senior vice president of global product development & CTO, Glu. “Players get another helping of fun on their mobile with new and exciting ways to enhance gameplay, including character customization and serving customers in multiple locations around the world.”

 

“We’re excited to work with Glu who has consistently delivered award winning Dash titles to mobile,” said Rich Roberts, vice president of sales and business development, PlayFirst. “Diner Dash is one of the most popular hits in casual gaming and we’re looking forward to offering our users another one of their favorite PlayFirst games on-the-go.”

Features include:

• Character Customization - Change Flo’s style with an all-new closet full of fun accessories. Plus, two new types of customers to seat and serve: preoccupied Love Birds in need of speedy service and photogenic Tourists willing to tip big for the perfect snapshot
• Game Modes - Both story and endless shift capabilities with 25 levels of gameplay
• Multiple Locations - Dash around five new unique vacation locations including a cruise ship, luxury train and space ship
• Connectivity to PC game - Players will receive a free game at PlayFirst’s website after completing certain levels in the mobile game

Diner Dash: Flo on the Go is now available on all major carriers worldwide. For more information, go to www.glu.com. For live updates, follow Glu on Twitter at www.twitter.com/glumobile or become a Glu Mobile fan on Facebook.

About Glu

Glu (NASDAQ:GLUU) is a leading global publisher of mobile games. Its portfolio of top-rated games includes original titles Bonsai Blast, Brain Genius, Glyder, Stranded, Super K.O. Boxing! and titles based on major brands from partners including Activision, Atari, Fox Mobile Entertainment, Harrah's, Hasbro, Konami, Microsoft, PlayFirst, PopCap Games, SEGA, Sony and Warner Bros. Founded in 2001, Glu is based in San Mateo, Calif. and has offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia and Spain. 

About PlayFirst, Inc.

PlayFirst is an innovative entertainment company dedicated to making games appealing to everyone. By creating engaging story worlds that capture the imagination and bringing them to life across popular platforms worldwide, including PC, Mac, mobile, handheld, and console, PlayFirst teams make quality gaming experiences available everywhere consumers want to play. The company's portfolio includes world-renowned titles, such as Diner Dash®, Wedding Dash®, Chocolatier®, and Dream Chronicles®. PlayFirst games are available in major retailers and on more than 500 sites in 20 languages. 

For more information, visit Glu or PlayFirst.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Announces The Launch Of TouchMaster 3

Play 20 All-New Games in One on the DS This Holiday Season

 

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announces the launch of TouchMaster 3, the latest installment in the hit casual puzzle game series, today for Nintendo DS™ in North America. The TouchMaster brand is the top selling non-first party puzzle game franchise for Nintendo DS*, and TouchMaster 3 offers 20 all-new games for pick-up-and-play fun on the go this holiday season.

TouchMaster 3 is packed with challenging and addictive mini games for players of all ages and abilities, making it a great gift and perfect for holiday travel. Making full use of the DS touch screen and stylus, TouchMaster 3 is perfect for quick play sessions or hours of fun, and players can work through puzzles alone or compete head-to-head. Up to two players can compete using local wireless in addition to single player and download play options.

Players take on action, word, puzzle, strategy and card game challenges to become a TouchMaster expert. The game features 16 brand new games to the franchise including Bumperball, Canon Fire, Domino Run, Nine Hole, Electro Maze, Sea Word, Stud Royale, Target Royale, Counterweight, Block Dropper, Fuse Line, Slime Assault, Recall, Chef Memory, Sludge Works and Wild Words. Newly updated games include Prisma Tix 2, Dice King 2, Triples Plus, and Poker Slide Challenge.

TouchMaster 3 contains updated graphics and features new 3D art in the trophy rooms for a more enjoyable and visually appealing gameplay experience. Players can track progress by collecting trophies and badges to earn wizard points and unlock new titles. Gamers can earn all 500 wizard points and become the Grand Touch Master!

TouchMaster 3 is developed by Hijinx Studios, published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and rated “E” with Mild Cartoon Violence and Mild Language. The game is available for the suggested retail price of $29.99. For more information, please visit www.touchmaster3.com.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

For more information, visit Warner Bros.

Crave Entertainment & Discovery Communications To Bring Discovery Channel’s Man vs. Wild & Deadliest Catch To Video Game Consoles

 

Crave Entertainment, the full-service publishing division of FillpointSVG, one of the videogame industry’s leading providers of online distribution, fulfillment and e-commerce services for national retailers, today announced it has entered into an agreement with Discovery Communications to develop and produce video games based on two of Discovery Channel’s highest rated television shows. Crave will publish the extremely popular Man vs. Wild and the top ranked Deadliest Catch for all current video game platforms beginning in Spring 2010. The deal was brokered on behalf of Discovery Communications by its licensing agent, The Joester Loria Group and is for the North American market.

The games let players experience the excitement of surviving in the world's toughest jungles and deserts as seen in the Man vs. Wild series, and battle the pounding storms of the Bering Sea as crab fishermen in Deadliest Catch. In the Man vs. Wild game, players control their character under the guidance of host and survival expert Bear Grylls as they exercise the necessary survival skills in a wide variety of landscapes and climates. In the Deadliest Catch game, players act as the captain of their own crab boats and navigate through the Bering Sea to cast and harvest pots all the while balancing the dangers against the profits.

“The Discovery Channel has captivated millions of viewers by delivering non-stop action and suspense in these unique programs,” stated Betsi Gijanto, Executive Vice President, Crave Entertainment. “Man vs. Wild and Deadliest Catch capture man’s struggle to survive amidst the perils of nature on land and at sea. This rich content is a perfect concept for videogames.”

“Crave Entertainment’s boutique publishing approach coupled with their experience in bringing realistic games to casual gamers everywhere makes them the obvious choice for these brands,” said Sue Perez-Jackson, Director of Licensing for Discovery Channel. “We look forward to working with Crave Entertainment to bring to life the heart-pounding, real-world adventures of Deadliest Catch and Man vs. Wild.”

Both Discovery Channel titles are slated to appear on PlayStation ®3 system, Nintendo Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™ system. Man vs. Wild will appear on the Xbox 360 system. Digital downloadable versions will also be available on the PlayStation ® Network and Xbox Live.

About Crave Entertainment

Based in Santa Ana, California, Crave Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of FillpointSVG, is a full-service video game publisher for Wii™, Nintendo DS™, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, and the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. 

For more information, visit Crave Games.

New Audio-Technica ATR1205 Microphone Features Colorful Custom Wraps That Let Users Personalize Their Mics

New Audio-Technica ATR1205 Microphone Features Colorful Custom Wraps That Let Users Personalize Their Mics

 

Audio-Technica today announced the introduction of its ATR1205 microphone for consumers. The ATR1205 comes with four microphone wraps that let users customize the look of their mic. Named “Tribal,” “Boom,” “Jackson,” and “Cutie,” each of the wraps fit around the microphone to transform the mic’s look with a personal bold visual statement.

Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica Consumer Marketing Manager, stated: “Microphones are being used by a new generation of karaoke fans, amateur video makers, musicians, gamers and many others. With our new ATR1205, we’re offering these users a mic with style, personality and fun that delivers high-quality sound at an affordable price, and captures the look of pop, rock, and country stars who personalize their own microphones.”

 

The ATR1205’s “Tribal” wrap has a dramatic design evocative of a tribal tattoo. “Boom” features a pattern of gray and black lines radiating from the center of the mic. The “Jackson” wrap’s splashes of color are evocative of abstract expressionist artwork, and “Cutie” features hearts intertwined with a floral pattern. The “Boom,” “Jackson,” and “Cutie” wraps are also the same as the ones available in the critically acclaimed videogame Guitar Hero 5®, where players who get “sponsored” in the game can upgrade to Audio-Technica mics.

The ATR1205 handheld dynamic microphone is engineered for vocal and instrument reproduction. It features a cardioid (heart-shaped) response pattern that rejects background noise, for clear sound quality of the vocalist or instrument being miked. The ATR1205 has a 16.5-foot cable with a 3.5mm mini plug, and comes with a desk stand, mic stand clamp and 1/4-inch plug adapter. The ATR1205 carries a limited lifetime warranty.

The Audio-Technica ATR1205 will be available in October 2009 at a suggested retail price of $24.95.

Celebrating 47 years of audio excellence, Audio-Technica is renowned worldwide for a broad range of consumer and professional audio products, including high-performance headphones, microphones, wireless systems, turntables and phono cartridges. Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica designs and manufactures products that set quality, durability and price/performance standards for major concert tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate and government facilities, theaters, house-of-worship venues, and consumer applications.

Guitar Hero 5 is a registered trademark of Activision Publishing. Inc.

For more information, visit Audio-Technica.

2K Games Launches The Stronghold Collection For Windows PC

 

2K Games today announced that The Stronghold™ Collection is now available for Windows PC in North America. The Stronghold Collection brings together five games from the critically acclaimed real-time strategy (RTS) series that allows players to conquer the Middle Ages.

The Stronghold series has become one of the most popular dynamic castle building sim games in the world, combining the finest aspects from the city builder and RTS genres. The Stronghold Collection includes the deep strategic gameplay of Stronghold, Stronghold 2, Stronghold Crusader, Stronghold Crusader Extreme and Stronghold Legends in a $29.99 value-priced package that is entirely DRM-free.

“The Stronghold series has seen worldwide success, and we are excited to now offer The Stronghold Collection in one epic bundle,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “Now fans and newcomers alike can experience the entire Stronghold heritage and embrace the series’ strategic, well-balanced gameplay while building, defending and expanding through the Middle Ages.”

The Stronghold Collection will combine historically accurate castle construction and management, and authentic medieval combat. Players will journey to lands of brave warriors, epic legends and fearsome weaponry, where they will build and fortify fortresses; lay siege to intrepid enemies; and conquer harsh terrains. The Stronghold Collection includes the following games:

Stronghold: The original, award-winning castle sim that takes players through medieval Britain as they lead strategic military and economic expansion, defend against invaders, and conquer enemy castles.

Stronghold 2: The King, having fled after the defeat of his own armies, is now attempting to rule his country from a secret location. Powerful barons are jostling for what is fast becoming a disintegrating kingdom, and it is up to you to stem the tides of their ambition and unite the land again under the King.

Stronghold Crusader and Stronghold Crusader Extreme: Journey to distant Arabian lands and lead a determined group of Crusaders. Relive the historic Crusades in four campaigns as Richard the Lionheart and Saladin, the Sultan of Syria. Stronghold Crusader Extreme adds 20 new missions, new buildings and larger armies of 10,000 troops.

Stronghold Legends: Play as epic leaders throughout history, including King Arthur and the forces of Camelot, Siegfried and Dietrich in the German Ice Campaign, and Vlad Dracul and his evil forces in Transylvania.

The Stronghold™ Collection is rated T for Teen by the ESRB.

2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).

About Take-Two Interactive Software

Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PLAYSTATION®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. Take-Two also distributes software, hardware and accessories in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. 

About FireFly Studios

FireFly studios is an independent game developer with offices in the United States and United Kingdom. The Stronghold franchise is solely owed by FireFly Studios and with over 5 million units sold is the company’s most successful series to date. 

For more information, visit Take-Two Interactive or FireFly.