Press Release:

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT AND SEGA
PARTNER TO CREATE CAPTAIN AMERICA ,
THE INCREDIBLE HULK AND THOR VIDEO GAMES

Relationship between Companies Expands and Builds
on Previously Announced Iron Man Game

Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), SEGA® Europe Ltd and SEGA® of America, Inc. have expanded their relationship to include the rights to develop and distribute games inspired by Marvel's Hall-of-Fame franchises -- Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. Through the exclusive, multi-year global licensing agreement, SEGA will create titles for console, handheld and PC platforms based upon both the classic comic books and planned feature film adaptations of these world-renowned Super Heroes. The deal follows Marvel and SEGA's announcement to create titles based on Super Hero favorite Iron Man, with both game and film slated to be released in May 2008.

"Video games are an ideal medium to showcase the appeal and excitement of our Super Hero franchises," said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios. "SEGA is one of the industry's most innovative game developers and we are thrilled to partner with them to bring Captain America , The Incredible Hulk and Thor to the video gaming arena. These franchises represent three of Marvel's most popular characters and lend themselves to captivating game play. We have already seen SEGA's passion for the Marvel Universe through the early development of the Iron Man video game, and we look forward to working closely with them over the next few years to maximize the potential of these franchises in the interactive entertainment space."

News Source: i4U News



Hongkong based gadget shop Brando sells a FM radio compact cartridge for the Nintendo DS.

The radio uses the DS LCD screen to display the user interface for changing stations. It is powered via the DS and supports a frequency range of 87.5-108MHz. Read More

News Source: i4U News



Robert Oschler from Robotsrule visited the Ugobe Headquarters and published a new video of the cute blue eyed baby dino Pleo. The little bugger gets cuter, every time I see him.

Ugobe delayed the release of Pleo in February to Summer. I already wrote back then that a Summer release is not a good idea for a toy like this. I figure Ugobe will realize this and get baby dinosaur out in time for the Holiday shopping season. To pass the time, watch the video below; it is heart warming. Read More

Press Release:

Ultimate One-Stop Entertainment Center with Revolutionary 3"LCD Screen
Rotates to Gameboy-Style Shape for Playing 20 Built-in Video Games

City of Industry, CA, April 16, 2007 - DXG USA, one of the fastest growing digital camera manufacturers, announced today the new ultra-compact DXG-589V, digital camera/camcorder and portable entertainment center with gaming features in one pocket-sized device. The DXG-589V features a combination 5 Megapixel digital camera, VGA camcorder, video game player, digital music player, and direct video recording from TVs or DVD players. Tweens, teens, and young adult gamers will love having instant access to games and a camera/camcorder in one sleek package to bring anywhere they go. In addition, the DXG-589V is also geared towards road warriors that want to bring their media with them in one convenient place while on the road.

i4U News Crew Blog
(Read More)

Microsoft is having a contest to get users of Xbox LIVE to produce original content for the Xbox LIVE network. The contest involves the creation of an original exclusive TV show to be aired on Xbox LIVE.

The winner of the contest will be granted a $100,000 budget to produce the show and the chance of getting a six-episode commitment to air the show on Xbox LIVE.

The winning entrant will have their program debuted this fall at the third annual New York Television Festival.

"Not only can aspiring TV producers from across the globe try their hands at creating new TV shows, but because of Xbox LIVE Marketplace, they can now win a chance to have more than 6 million people worldwide see their work," said Bill Nielsen, senior director of Xbox LIVE at Microsoft.

"This is an incredible opportunity for us to participate in the festival, and we are thrilled to be able to bring community-created TV content to the Xbox community for the first time."

i4U News Article
Read More

Alex Campbell, ZAP! Communications, gives us a tour of the ZAP! showroom in Santa Rosa, CA. Part 1 of 3.

Press Release

Sequel to Critically-Acclaimed Sonic Rush in Development

SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America Inc. today announced the development of Sonic Rush Adventure™ for the Nintendo DS™ system. Sonic Rush Adventure will seamlessly utilize both screens of the Nintendo DS to navigate the high seas in search of pirate treasure and deliver Sonic's classic high-speed 2D gameplay in the ultimate Sonic handheld experience. Developed by SEGA Studios, Sonic Rush Adventure for the DS will be available in fall 2007.

Sonic returns to the Nintendo DS in an all-new frantic adventure complete with dizzying dives, near vertical curves and brain twisting loops. Sonic Rush Adventure will deliver the dual screen action fans loved in Sonic Rush™, as well as a new high seas adventure where Sonic clashes with ruthless pirates. As Sonic, players will set off from Windmill Village to blast through seven action-packed and widely diverse levels that continue the great 2D gameplay experience from the original Sonic Rush.

Players will speed through action stages to uncover valuable items and materials which allow Tails to build new ships to help Sonic track down the villainous pirates. With a fleet of up to five ships, including a submarine, water bike, and hovercraft, players will use the touch screen technology in exciting new ways, controlling their ships as they race across the ocean gathering rings, performing tricks, and torching pirate ships in fierce ship-to-ship battles. At the end of each level, players will test their skills in epic 3D boss battles spanning both screens, including the ultimate showdown with the evil pirate, Captain Whisker.

In Sonic Rush Adventure, players will bounce, fly, swing, ride and run through grand environments that will include lust forests, an ominous ghost ship, snow covered mountains, pirate villages and a vast underwater sea cave. Along the way, players will do battle with a variety of enemy characters including robots, skeleton warriors, pterodactyls, and a robotic triceratops.

Additionally, players will be able to compete with friends in wireless racing and mission-based battles using the DS Download Play feature or Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. For more information including screenshots and art, please visit the SEGA FTP site at http://segapr.segaamerica.com.

Press Release:

ACCLAIM GAMES LAUNCHES DANCE! ONLINE GAME FEATURING MUSIC AND ARTISTS FROM WARNER MUSIC GROUP

Game Features Online Participation by Music Artists

Acclaim Games today announced the launch of the online game DANCE! Online, a free-to-play multiplayer online dancing game. In an industry first, DANCE! Online will feature top talent and master recordings from Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG), making it the first free multiplayer online dance game to feature major label content and artists. With the start of "Open Beta" testing this week, thousands of U.S. PC users will have the opportunity to dance virtually to songs from select WMG artists.

"This is by far the closest collaboration any major music label has ever had with an online game" said Howard Marks, CEO of Acclaim Games. 

"DANCE! Online has started the music based game revolution which has captured the minds of hundreds of millions of players in Asia", said David Perry, the game's director and industry superstar designer.

In making the announcement, George White, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Product Development, WMG said, "With the enormous popularity of dance-based games in Asia and other parts of the world, we're excited that our artists and music have the opportunity to reach the millions of fans who are participating in this growing phenomenon." 

In another video game industry first, Atlantic Records recording artist Cupid, with his hit single "Cupid Shuffle," will make a personal virtual appearance in the game. Other artist-related announcements will follow where the artists will create their own avatar and play the game live online and chat with fans. The game will feature some of the latest music from select artists and personalized virtual items including artist-branded clothing, accessories and more. Upon the game's full launch later this year, players can compete to win autographed merchandise and other artist-branded products.

Players of DANCE! Online can create their own avatar and use either the keyboard or most PC compatible dance pads to match the beat of the song and to make their character perform choreographed dance steps. The game features up to 6 players dancing together and includes a variety of game modes and options. Players will be able to purchase optional items from the game shop to customize their virtual characters with clothing and various accessories. Players can also purchase "song packs" to dance to even more songs from WMG's catalog. The game is free and will be supported by in-game advertising provided by IGA Worldwide.

Nikki interviews Megan Perry, Game Designer, on the streets of San Francisco at the Women in Games International (WIGI) party.

Nikki talks to Erik Peterson, Localization Writer Editor/Nintendo of America, about Super Paper Mario that will be released today.

BTW: This interview is so short because we were not permitted to shoot the game play on the screen directly and were only allowed two minutes to speak to Erik.

If you are a SMP pwner, we want to chat with you on Skype for our weekly podcast.

Play longer. Save the Planet with eneloop batteries!