Games Industry Wire

Jamdat is now using Telephia for gamer metrics. Jamdat was recently purchased by EA, and is the most popular purveyor of video games for cell phones. I particularly like their “Blue Blocks.” It’s addictive, and it’s their number 5 games this week!
They also own Tetris and Bejeweled, arguably the most popular games out there for cells.
Telephia will give them data on everything from time played to whether or not ringtones were purchased as well.
This data is exceedingly valuable as cell gamers are rampant these days. A recent Sprint survey put the number of gamer wannabes at …read more

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Microsoft’s gaming team pushed out a press release announcing an agreement with 4Kids entertainment to produce something original for Microsoft. 4Kids is a global provider of media with successful properties like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles:
Under the agreement, 4Kids Entertainment will serve as the licensing agent for a forthcoming children’s entertainment property on a global basis for Microsoft Game Studios. The exclusive representation agreement encompasses all broadcast, home video, music and merchandise licensing rights.
Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, said: “We are thrilled to serve as the partner of choice and act as the …read more

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Cash-Strapped Gizmondo Using Smart Adds as Equity:
Gizmondo Europe had received two separate short-term loans, together worth about $21.2 million, which the firm has yet to repay despite the fact that they were due late last year. The loans have subsequently been combined into a $22.4 million loan. This new agreement gives the company an extension to pay back the combined debts by June 30, 2006, but it also comes with a big risk—if Gizmondo fails to repay the loan the company would have to hand over the stock, IP and patents of its Smart Adds wholly owned subsidiary, which it’s …read more

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Apparently, Engage put in-game Subway ads in Valve’s Counter Strike. But, Valve, who should have given permission, didn’t give permission. From GameDAILY Biz (an essential games industry site, btw):
Now, however, Valve Software appears to be furious over the matter. “At no time did Valve grant permission nor discuss these advertisements with Engage. As such, this is now a legal matter. Advertising or any other commercial use of our games requires our written permission,” Valve’s Doug Lombardi told GamePro.com.
It’s not clear if a lawsuit has been filed yet, but it would certainly seem like a legal battle will …read more

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Rumors are rampant.

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PURSUIT FORCETM
(see pic)
Available March 2006 – Rated T
SYPHON FILTER®: DARK MIRROR
Available March 2006 – Not Yet Rated
MLB® 06 THE SHOW
Available March 1, 2006 – Rated E
DAXTERTM
Available March 2006 – Not Yet Rated
NEOPETS: PETPET ADVENTURESTM THE WAND OF WISHING
Available February 28, 2006 – Rated E
APE ESCAPE® ACADEMY
Available January 17, 2006 – Rated E 10+

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Well, to be exact it’s really a wholly owned subsidiary of NCSoft to the tune of 100M Yen. They’ll join subsidiary offices in US and Europe, and joint ventures in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Thailand.
NCsoft penetrated into Japanese market in 2001 by establishing a joint venture, and now is servicing both Lineage and Lineage II. Guild Wars is lined up for a commercialized service starting from January 27th. During the third quarter of 2005, NCsoft hit the record of 7.6 billion Korean Won in revenue with 3.7 billion in operating profit in Japan due to the consistent demands generated from …read more

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MediaCreate tracks the top 10 video game sales every week in Japan and in the US (seperately). On the Japanese charts, the top five spots were all DS games this week; Brain Training 2, Animal Crossing: Wild World, Mario Kart DS, DS Training for Adults: Work Your Brain (Brain Training), Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time (in order).
MediaCreate also informs us that the DS console sold really, really well these last few weeks in Japan as well. In fact, they ran out of DS handhelds in some stores, and Nintendo actually had to apologize for the DS shortages.
The …read more

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EA, the largest video game publisher in the world, announced their first Def Jam installment for the PSP. The hip-hop prequel is due out in the spring.
From the EA press release:
Playing as the hottest artists and celebrities in Hip Hop including Busta Rhymes, Carmen Electra, Lil’ Kim, Ludacris, Method Man, Redman, Snoop Dogg, and Xzibit, you’ll be able to unravel the events that lead to Def Jam Vendetta and find out how D-Mob got to rule NYC. Featuring new fighting moves and new venues, where players can gain respect by winning fights and rising among the ranks …read more

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Official Xbox Magazine Names Francesca Reyes As Editor-In-Chief
Reyes is now the ONLY woman to hold the top spot at a gaming magazine. And, OXM is just any gaming mag, it boasts the highest circulation rate of any officially-licensed magazine in the United States. I’m a long-time subscriber and it’s a fabulous magazine.
Reyes has been with Future, the parent company, for ten years, starting as a staff writer. She was instumental in the launch of their Dreamcast mag and Official XBox Magazine, has written for many of their other titles, and has served as the Executive Editor of …read more

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